The town's name has several interpretations: for some it derives from the Latin word "quintus" and refers to its distance, along a Roman road from the town of Este, while for others, it comes from the name of "gens Quintia", owner in Roman times of the colony, to which also belonged Cinto. It is a municipality in the province of Padua, surrounded by the superb environment and the charming natural landscape of the Euganei Hills.
The area was inhabited since prehistoric times, but the main centre was founded during the period of Roman colonization: In this period the town developed, thanks to the building of roads and aqueducts, the rational division of the farmlands and the modern techniques of use at those times. After the Fall of the Roman Empire, the lands were left without guidance and protection and became easy prey of the Barbarians. The inhabitants, to defend themselves from these raids, built several fortifications. The town was granted to the Ezzelini, who strengthened it with a castle. Later it was directly involved in the clashes between the Della Scala and the Carrara, until in the early years of the XV century it submitted the domain of the Serenissima Republic of Venice. Since the XIX century Cinto Euganeo has become one of the most important spa centers of the entire region.
Not to miss:
- the Church of Cinto Euganeo, built in 1590, features a classical style façade, enriched by pairs of columns and a pediment. It is flanked by a Bell Tower, built on the ruins of the castle tower of Monte Cinto;
- the Church of Faedo, rebuilt in the late XV century, in place of a smaller construction, over the centuries it has submitted several renovations, the last dates back to the XIX century;
- the XVIII century Church of Fontanafredda, inside which are preserved important artworks and an altar by the artist Sansovino;
- the Church of Saint Lucia, built in the second half of the XV century;
- the XVIII century Curch of Valnogaredo;
- the XVIII century Church of Cornoleda;
- Buso of Casara, an ancient source, used since Roman times, that through tunnels and caves acts as an aqueduct and brings water up to Este;
- several elegant noble villas;
- the Geopaleontologico Museum.