Montorio: Castle, Parish Church and Water Landscape
Accommodation in Montorio
Montorio can be explored through its architectural history and water landscape. Castello di Montorio, Pieve di Santa Maria Assunta and DAT La Colombara represent different historical themes; Laghetto SquarĂ and two named trails offer other perspectives. If you are looking for a hotel in Montorio, this outline can help you tailor your trip to your interests: would you mainly like to explore the history of individual buildings, or are you interested in the connection with springs and streams? Local stories range from the Roman origins of a water basin to the use of a building during the Second World War.
Castello di Montorio: Castrum and Fortress
The medieval Castrum of Castello di Montorio dates back to the 10th century and stands on earlier Roman structures. In 995, Emperor Otto III gave the castle to the Archbishop of Verona. Between 1860 and 1866, the Austrians converted it into a fortress with a large, enclosed artillery battery containing 35 cannons. The building thus brings together several historical periods: the earlier Roman structures, its medieval origins, the gift and its later conversion into a fortress. The dates help distinguish these periods: the 10th century marks the origins of the Castrum, 995 the year of the gift, and 1860 to 1866 its conversion into a fortress.
Church History and DAT La Colombara
The ancient Pieve di Santa Maria Assunta is documented from 1069. Historically, it was the mother church of the churches of Val Squaranto; its jurisdiction extended as far as the Adige at Mambrotta. Its history therefore concerns not only the church itself but also its broader ecclesiastical role. Unlike the conversion of the castle into a fortress, the Pieve is notable for its former position within the ecclesiastical structure.
DAT La Colombara adds another part of the town’s history, rooted in wartime. The building in Montorio was used as a concentration camp for Jewish people during the Second World War. It was also used to imprison political prisoners and the relatives of men who refused military service. These uses involved different groups and are among the historical themes that have shaped Montorio, alongside its older architectural and church history.
Laghetto SquarĂ and Trails Through the Water Landscape
Laghetto Squarà is an artificial lake of Roman origin. It was created as a reservoir for spring water to supply the aqueduct towards Verona. The use of spring water is therefore part of its history, as is its place in contemporary descriptions of Montorio’s landscape.
The “MyTag Montorio – Le acque” trail passes between the springs and streams of Montorio. It has 17 stages and starts and ends at Piazza Buccari. Its connection to water, stage structure and shared starting and finishing point give you concrete ways to understand the trail’s theme. Another named trail is the “Grande Anello della Storia”; it is suitable for cyclists, walkers and nature lovers.
Your travel planning can therefore take account of different interests: the castle and Pieve offer insights into architectural and church history, DAT La Colombara into the history of use during the Second World War, and Laghetto Squarà and “Le acque” into the connection with spring water. The “Grande Anello della Storia” is another option for cyclists, walkers and nature lovers.
Discover more destinations
Discover more destinations: Stra, Bonferraro, Settimo, Rosta, Novaglie, Pacengo, Arbizzano-Santa Maria, San Giorgio In Salici
For the broader travel overview: Verona.
