To the town's name, two prevailing interpretations have been given: one that it derives from the Latin "mons silicis" (mount of the paved street, in reference to the ancient road that linked the center to Padua) and the other, from the Latin "mons elicis "(mount of the flints).
Municipality in the province of Padua, located between green hills and plains, in an area enriched by the river, the town of Monselice is characterized by the presence of buildings from different eras and styles, which well co-exist together and offer, to its visitors, a return to the past.
The area was inhabited since ancient times: archaeological finds, in fact, attest to the presence of settlements since the Iron Age. The first permanent settlement at the foot of the hill , dates back to the period of the Lombard domination, where farmers and artisans sought refuge from the continuous assaults, at the time, of the Barbarians. Its location allowed the control of the River. Subsequently subjected to the Ezzelini, lords of Padua, the main centre was strengthened with fortifications. In the XV century, Monselice was incorporated into the territories subject to the domain of the Serenissima Republic of Venice, a period in which it gradually transformed from a rural village with a military function to an important trading centre. Several Venetian merchants built their Summer residences here, enriching the town with elegant buildings and making it a true urban jewel.
Attractions:
- the Old Cathedral, in Romanesque-Gothic style, was built in the middle of the XIII century. The building features a single nave plan with a façade adorned by arches and pilasters and preserves within important works of art, including an altarpiece by the Venetian school, several marble reliefs and some valuable XIV century frescoes. It is flanked by a square based Bell Tower with battlement decorations;
- the Church of San Martino, of medieval origins, presents itself with the features added in the XVIII century. Its façade features a tympanum, surmounted by statues, and a circular window, while the portal is incorporated into a separate body, in relief;
- the Church of San Giacomo with the adjoining Franciscan Monastery, whose construction both date back to the middle of the XII century. It features a Romanesque-Gothic cloister and Bell Tower dating from the XIV century. Inside are preserved several valuable paintings of the Venetian Art School;
- the Church of Santo Stefano in Romanesque-Gothic and ancient foundation. The aisles were added in the XVII century, while the bell tower dates from the XV century;
- the Church of San Giorgio, built in 1593 by the Duodo Family as a private chapel, adjacent to the villa that once belonged to the same family;
- the former Carmelite Church, mentioned for the first time in documents dating back to the first half of the XV century, features a single nave plan in neo-Classical style;
- the X century Church of St. Paul, restored several times over the following centuries;
- the XIII century Church of St. Matthew;
- the Sanctuary of the Seven Churches;
- the Church of San Bartolo;
- Villa Duodo with a spectacular front yard created by Tirali. It was built on a steep slope;
- the Castle, composed of several buildings, was built and enlarged between the XI and the XVI centuries;
- the XVI century Villa Nani Mocenigo;
- Villa Emo in Rivella;
- Villa Pisani.