Mastio Federiciano

Built at the behest of Emperor Frederick II of Swabia, who during a visit to Monselice in 1239 named the city itself “imperial special chamber.”  By order of the Emperor, the Church of Santa Giustina (from the 10th century) that stood at the top of the hill at the time was demolished, and the attached religious structures were repurposed. The Church was subsequently rebuilt lower down (see ancient Church of Santa Giustina). The military structure, organized on multiple levels, was entirely constructed of trachyte blocks; the truncated pyramidal base has no access at ground level, and the only currently accessible entry is at a height of eight meters. The structure is still part of a complex of fortifications, the oldest parts of which date back to the 6th century. Today, a small museum of fortifications is set up inside the Keep. Guided tours are available every Sunday afternoon from March to June and from September to early November.