The enchanting landscape of the Euganean Hills hides forgotten traks of the Este past: from the ancient town of Este, once upon a time fief of the Family, to the old hermitage of the blessed Beatrice on Mount Gemola, privileged place of spiritual retreat in the Middle Ages, which was later transformed in a rich country house.

Along the Bacchiglione river stands the imposive Castle of Catajo (hence the name " house on the river's cut"), within a 66 acres park, with ancient trees, deers, statues and a fishpond dotted with waterlilies.

Originally built (1570) as a fortress by Pio Enea degli Obizzi, a famous captain of fortune, the Castle became a property of the Este in 1805.

The palace hold countless rooms and is elegantly decorated with frescoes of A. Zelotti, a scholar of Veronese (16th century). Niches and fountains, such as the Elephant fountain, terraces and stairways inhance the beauty of the gardens,. During a tour like this the visitor comes to understand the complicated links among great Italian families and the economical and political interests which made Italian history so rich.