Built at the summit of Mount Ricco that overlooks the centre of Asolo, the mighty edifice in irregular polygon style of the fortress (average height 15 metres and a width of 2.5 metres for the north and west sides and 3.5 metres for the other sides) dates back to a period spanning the middle-end of twelfth century to the beginning of the thirteenth century.From the buttresses of the fortress that underwent massive work to restore them in the 1980’s and 90’s it is today possible to enjoy a bird’s eye view and a 360° view of the horizon from the Po plain to the entire arc of the surrounding mountains. On clear days and with good light one can clearly make out the lagoon of Venice.ticket: 2€ (free under 6 years old)Opening time: saturday, sunday, public holiday10-17 november to march10-19 april to june10-12 / 15-19 july and august

The castle, together with the fortress one of the symbols of the Asolan countryside, seems to date back to the 10th century although there is no definite information indicating the origins of the complex In 1242 it was home to Ezzelino da Romano and, from 1339, it became the seat of the podestà of Venice. At the end of the fourteenth century it became one with the city walls, construction that begun during the brief dominion of the Carraresi. Three of the four towers once characterising it still remain: the Civic or Bell tower, the Reata tower acting as a gaol and the Carro tower, nowadays part of the adjacent residence called La Torricella.In 1489 it became the residence of Caterina Cornaro, and Pietro Bembo set his “Gli Asolani” dialogues in this palace and its gardens. After Caterina’s death it was readapted to administrative functions and extensively restored.The French were stationed here in 1797 and, the next year, the great "Pretoria Hall", where Venetian podestà once administe