Castello di Stigliano, Medieval castle in Santa Maria di Sala, Italy

The Castello di Stigliano in Santa Maria di Sala consists of a surviving southeast corner tower, a four-storey north-east wing, a rustic annex and a private chapel, arranged in an L around a large walled enclosure between the Noalese road and the Muson Vecchio. The tower and main block have three levels with stone-corbelled arches and brick crenellations; inside are frescoes attributed to Pino Veneziano.

Roman-era fortification on the border between the territories of Altino and Padua, documented in 1152 among the possessions of the Diocese of Treviso. From 1158 the Tempesta were its vassals, and on 15 January 1220 Count Guido ceded the rights to the Teutonic knight Aldevrandino da Superno. Taken by the Carraresi in the 14th century, it was sold in 1520 to the Priuli, who demolished most of it and kept only the surviving tower; in the 17th century it passed to the Venier.

The castle displays architectural features from the Venetian Serenissima period, having transformed from a military fortress into a residential villa. The rooms reflect construction methods that were common in the region during that era.

The location is best reached by car, as it sits in the flat Venetian countryside somewhat away from main roads. Visitors should know that the grounds are primarily available for events, so planning ahead is recommended for a visit.

The landscape layout surrounding the castle still preserves the pattern of Roman land division, known as Roman Centuriation, which marks the ancient agricultural structure. This system shows how Romans systematically measured and organized the territory.