The town's name derives from "Athesis", the original name of the river Adige. Municipality in the province of Padua, located on the southern edge of the hills Euganei and washed by the canal Bisatto, an estuary of the Bacchiglione, Este is devoted to the art of ceramics, a tradition that dates back to the XVIII century.
It was one of the first settlements inhabited by Paleoveneti, while during the period of the Roman colonization, proclaimed Municipium, it became an important commercial port and military garrison on the River Adige. The centre submitted a certain decline due to the combination of disastrous floods and earthquakes in 589, that changed the course of the rivers of the Veneto plain, and subsequent Barbarian invasions, that succeeded the Fall of the Roman Empire. Abandoned by its inhabitants, the town regained importance during the X century, when it was proclaimed fief and was granted to the family that took its name: the Este. The centre flourished when Azzo II strengthened its defenses, building a fortress on a nearby hill. Several farmers settled at the foot of the hill, attracted by the presence of fertile soils and the possibility of being protected by their feudal lord. Later assigned to the city of Padua, in the XIV century, the town was first conquered by the Della Scala and later by the Carrara. In the early XVI century, Este became part of the Venetian Republic and in the next century, it was chosen as an important resort for the wealthy merchants of the Serenissima, who built here their sumptuous villas. The subsequent historical events are similar to those that characterized the other localities of the Padua area.
Attractions:
- the early XVI century Church of Our Lady of Consolation, which preserves within a painting of the Virgin and Child by Cima da Conegliano, a sequency of the Epiphany by Cignaroli;
- the Cathedral, built in the IV century, today features the results of an XVIII century makeover. Inside are preserved a masterpiece of the artist Tiepolo and some valuable paintings of Zanchi;
- the XVIII century Sanctuary of Santa Maria delle Grazie, built on the site of a pre-existing XV century chapel. Inside is preserved a Byzantine icon;
- the Church of Santa Maria della Salute with its octagonal shaped plan and its Baroque style interior;
- the Church of San Martino with its apse in Romanesque style;
- the Castle, rebuilt in the mid XIV century by the Carrara on the remains of the fortress of the Este. It consists of the remains of a fortified wall, one kilometer long, interrupted by twelve watchtowers;
- the XVI century Palazzo Mocenigo. Today seat of the National Museum, which houses an important collection of artefacts of the Paleoveneti Ages;
- the XVIII century Town Hall;
- the XIV century Palazzo of the Scala family;
- the XVI century Villa Manin;
- the Clock Tower;
- the Prince's Palace;
- Villa Contarini.