Cittadella a Hidden Gem in Northern Italy
by Ruth Murdoch | June 2019 | Italy
What a gem we found by pure chance. I pointed to a place on the map that would conclude today’s driving and found a free parking spot that just happened to be nearby a town wall. Getting that close to an Italian old town is something of a miracle in Betsy, our Motorhome, with her 7.5 metre (plus bikes) length.
Cittadella has Europe’s best-preserved medieval parapet walkway that allows you to traverse its nearly two-kilometre loop.
We unassumingly walked into the local Tourism office to check out the local surroundings, only to discover this was the start of the parapet walkway.
The walls are 1461 metres in circumference, 14 metres high, with 30 metre high keeps. On average the walls are 2.1 metres thick.
An elderly Italian lady in front of me was not confident to walk out onto the walkway and look down. I suspect she suffered from vertigo. However, with her family who had already scarpered and another group coming up from the rear, she had no option other than to keep moving forward.
There are four gates that enter the town and twelve towers looking both inwards to the residents and outwards to anyone wishing to lay siege to this town. One family succeeded and an invading family occupied Cittadella for 30 years.
Today the city of 36km2 and which was founded in 1220, has a population of just 20,000. The houses and grounds are immaculately kept which surely must be more than a coincidence.
Beautifully manicured private back yards from the residents of Cittadella
There is also a panoramic viewing platform at the halfway point, which offers unobstructed views of the beautiful mountains, vineyards, and countryside, as well as the town buildings. We tried to capture as much of this scenery as possible.
The Walls Surrounding Cittadella
See how far the wall extends
Looking back to the start of the walk
The moat runs all around the walls and is fed by spring water. From the walkway we could see large fish, probably carp, enjoying the flowing water entering the moat laying in wait for morsels to feed upon.
It’s June and already the high season so where are the crowds to spoil our photos? I don’t know how many tourists maps Cittadella is featured on, but if you are in the area then do pop in.
We were amused to come across a small café called Motueka, which is a quaint town in New Zealand’s south island. Unfortunately, Moteuka was closed so we couldn’t find out how a little north Italian walled town ended up with a café from New Zealand origins.
Why Were You Closed Motueka?
Ruth donning traditional clothing from Cittadella
Alan would have made a brave knight
Photo taken from a brochure
Great tips! I will definitely keep this in mind and go back and have a look next time I visit Italy 🙂
Hi hope you enjoy it Malin.
What amazing views! Thank you for sharing a place I had never heard of!
Thanks, we were excited to find something less touristy.
What an interesting walled town. I imagine the Siege Museum provides some good history lessons.
Hi Lori, yes it is interesting. We didn’t spend much time in the Siege Museum as it wasn’t airconditioned and was about 40C inside.
So many lovely Italian cities to visit. This looks great and not too crowded. Very pretty and that wall is impressive!
Thanks Alizon, yes the wall was pretty unique.
This looks so lovely Ruth and definitely one we must put on our list when we return to that neck of the woods. It’s looks charming and no overwhelming crowds either. Perfect! Kx
I could imagine you and Myles loving this type of place Karen.
Looks like it would make an interesting base for exploring the mountains further north, and the Po Valley to the south.
Yes you are right and all while avoiding the crowds.
Such a great spot to visit! We were in Italy a few years ago and definitely plan to return. The Cittadella was just added to my must see list. There’s such a great view from here!
Pleased to hear it Joanne, it’s lovely inspiring people to visit cool places. Enjoy.
I love discovering lesser-known places like this. The walls look amazing.
Hi Phoebe, you are so right, these lesser-known places are awesome.
I am ashamed to admit, but I have not had the opportunity to be in Italy yet. I have been planning this trip for some time and I am looking for different inspirations. Your article is very inspiring to me.
Thanks Zenon, you’ll love Italy as there is so much to see and do, the culture is fantastic, the history deep and the food one of the best throughout Europe. I hope you don’t wait too long to visit here.