Montecchio Maggiore

Montecchio Maggiore (Montécio Majore) is a town and comune in the province of Vicenza, Veneto, Italy. It is situated approximately 12 km west of Vicenza and 43 km east of Verona; SP 246 provincial road passes through it.

Montecchio Maggiore borders the following municipalities: Altavilla Vicentina, Arzignano, Brendola, Castelgomberto, Montebello Vicentino, Montorso Vicentino, Sovizzo, Trissino, Zermeghedo.

History
The land of Montecchio Maggiore has been inhabited since the late Stone Age, though it was invaded and occupied many times. Two castles built about 975 are claimed to be the inspiration for the Romeo and Juliet legend. Luigi da Porto of Vicenza set the story here in his novel of 1552.

Main sights

 * Villa Cordellina Lombardi, is a masterpiece of neo-Palladian architect Giorgio Massari, with 18th-century frescoes by Giovanni Battista Tiepolo.
 * Museum Zannato, founded in 1922 by Giuseppe Zannato, its first curator. It has sections devoted to archaeological and paleontological finds. Some of these contain materials found in the late-Roman necropolis of Carpanè. There is also an important gemological section.
 * Castle Bellaguardia (called "Castle of Juliet")
 * Castello della Villa (called "Castle of Romeo")

International relations
Montecchio Maggiore is twinned with:
 * 🇩🇪 Passau, Germany, from 2003
 * Alton, Hampshire, United Kingdom
 * 🇮🇹 Carloforte, Italy, from 2009.