The Fortified Castle of Schio: a Medieval Remembrance

Santa Maria della Neve, once known as Schio Castle, is a fortified castle in Schio, Italy. The castle dates back to medieval times and was likely built by the Euganei or Veneti during the Iron Age. In the 14th century, the Maltraversi counts of Vicenza owned the castle. However, it was damaged by Paduans in 1314 and fell under the control of the Scaligeri via the Nogarola family. The castle was under the Visconti in 1382. It was dismantled in 1412, just six years after Venice took control of the area.

Schio may have attempted to become a Podestaria, according to the source. The castle was eventually demolished definitively in 1514 by order of Venice. Today, only a merlated tower of the castle remains, incorporated into Santa Maria della Neve church. The area of the castle is now a public park. The structure may have been built as early as the Iron Age by the Euganei or Veneti. In medieval times, it was owned by the Maltraversi counts of Vicenza.

The castle was damaged by Paduans in 1314, damaged again in 1382, and ultimately demolished in 1514 by order of Venice. Remnants of the castle are remembered in two paintings by Francesco Verla. Santa Maria della Neve is a castle with remaining foundations of two towers. Currently, it is used as a church and a sheltered refuge. The shelter is excavated in rock and has a surface area of approximately 500 square meters. It has two entrances and was reinforced with concrete. It was used for storing local wines and cheeses between 2008 and 2010.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons