About
Europe's last fully walkable parapet walkway.
During the Middle Ages, the cities of Northern Italy were in a state of constant competition to control as much territory as they could. This was especially true during the wars of the communes of the 13th century, and city walls were erected to protect numerous towns during this period. Though many of those walls have crumbled, the walls around historic Cittadella still stand. The town of Cittadella was founded in a strategic position halfway between the rival cities of Treviso and Vicenza. The imposing walls are 14 to 16 meters (46 to 52 feet) tall, surrounds the town on all sides except for one opening which is the only gate leading into the town-Porta Bassanesi. The walls are made from thick layers of millstone and mortar; even today if you touch them you will get a little bit of dust on your hand. The only openings were originally the four city gates, Porte Bassanesi to the north, Porte Trevigiane to the east, Porte Padovane to the south and Porte Vicentine to the west, all taking their names from the cities they are facing.
