Este | |
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Comune | |
Comune di Este | |
Este Castle
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Location of Este in Italy | |
Coordinates: 45°14′N 11°40′E / 45.233°N 11.667°E | |
Country | Italy |
Region | Veneto |
Province / Metropolitan city | Padua (PD) |
Government | |
• Mayor | Roberta Gallana |
Area | |
• Total | 32.7 km2 (12.6 sq mi) |
Population (31 December 2014) | |
• Total | 16,581 |
• Density | 510/km2 (1,300/sq mi) |
Demonym(s) | Atestini |
Time zone | CET (UTC+1) |
• Summer (DST) | CEST (UTC+2) |
Postal code | 35042 |
Dialing code | 0429 |
Patron saint | St. Tecla |
Website | Official website |
Este (/ˈɛstiː/; Italian: [ˈɛste]) is a town and comune of the Province of Padua, in the Veneto region of northern Italy. It is situated at the foot of the Euganei Hills. The town is a centre for farming, crafts and industry worthy of note.
Este had given its name to the Este culture, a proto-historic culture existing from the late Italian Bronze Age (10th/9th century BC, proto-venetic phase) to the Roman period (1st century BC) and which was located in the present territory of Veneto.
During the Iron Age Este was a major center of the Veneti who left a number of inscriptions on funerary and votive objects.
During the late 3rd century BC, Este peacefully fell under the sway of Rome and became a Roman colony under the name of Ateste. When much of northern Italy was granted Roman citizenship in 49 BC, the citizens of Este were inscribed into the Roman tribe of Romilia. Following the battle of Actium, Emperor Augustus settled soldiers of the V and XI legions in territory of Este comprising Galzignano, Teolo, Lonigo, Noventa Vicentina, Trecenta, Pernumia, Monselice, and Cinto Euganeo.
In Late Antiquity, Este was devastated and reduced to a rural village because of barbarian invasions, especially that of Attila. It arose again only after the 10th century, when Azzo II d'Este built a castle there and named himself and his family after it, establishing the House of Este. The House of Este would hold the city until 1240, when it moved its capital to Ferrara. Este, meanwhile, was conquered twice by Ezzelino da Romano III, in 1238 and 1249. It was disputed during the 14th century by the Scaligeri, the Carraresi and the Visconti, until it surrendered spontaneously to Venice in 1405.