Marostica became “Scaliger” following the conquest of Vicenza by Cangrande della Scala in 1311.
The Scaliger rule lasted through most of the 14th century and ended in 1387. As a border outpost of the Scaliger family in conflict with Padua, Marostica was involved in the Padua-Scaliger war of 1312-1314. During this conflict, the village of Marostica, located east of today’s walled city around the parish of Santa Maria, was attacked and looted by the Paduans, though the strong castle on the Pauso hill held firm.
Later, in 1338, Marostica briefly fell under the control of Sicco da Caldonazzo, but soon returned securely to Scaliger hands. These events likely prompted the Scaligers to rethink the city’s fortifications. Throughout the 14th century, they fortified Marostica, leading to the construction of the walled city with its two castles, the Lower Castle and the Upper Castle, connected by defensive walls.
The Lower Castle stands as a massive quadrangular crenellated enclosure with a tall keep. It was largely built using local sandstone and limestone, with minimal use of costly baked bricks. Two drawbridges crossed the moat, one on the north and one on the south façade. Above the southern entrance was a bartizan, recently reconstructed.
Of particular interest are the two internal loggias: the ground floor supported by sturdy brick pillars, and the upper loggia. Over time, the Lower Castle evolved from a fortress into a public palace, the residence of the podestà or rector during the Venetian era, who administered civil justice and oversaw the community’s governance.
The Council of Thirty, the Venetian-era municipal council, met in the Lower Castle. It also housed prisons from the Venetian period until the early decades of the 20th century.