Torri del Castello Carrarese (Torre del Mastio e Torre del Soccorso)

The Mastio and Soccorso are the two principal surviving towers of Este’s Carrarese castle. The Mastio rises on the hilltop, where the Este margraves’ residence once stood; the Soccorso forms part of the north-eastern corner of the fourteenth-century wall.

Why it matters

The towers preserve distinct parts of the castle’s defensive design: the Mastio as its principal tower and lookout, and the Soccorso as a gate and tower integrated into the wall circuit.

What to notice

The Mastio stands above the castle grounds on the hilltop. The Soccorso combines a tower with the Porta del Soccorso, built by the Carraresi in 1337. Together, the structures show how towers and gates were incorporated into the defensive circuit.

Context and history

An Este stronghold is documented on the hill from the early twelfth century; Padua destroyed it in 1213. The Carraresi later rebuilt the complex. The national museum’s account dates the new Porta del Soccorso to 1337 and Ubertino da Carrara’s restructuring of the castle to 1339. The fortress was demilitarized in 1480.