The history of this town which stands at the feet of the Euganean hills, can eb traced back to paleolithic times, later to become a Paleo-Veneti settlement, relics of which are preserved at the Museo Nazionale Atestino. Under Roman rule, named Atheste from the river Athesis which formerly flowed close by, the town upgraded to the rank of Municipium and to the one of Roman colony. In the 5th ctury it was destroyed durung Barbaric invasions, but slowly recovered becoming hence the home of feudal potentates such as the Marques Azzo II whose family later was to take over the name of Estensi. When the House of Este in the 13th century moved southwards to Ferrara, the town was left to be a continual bone of contention between the Scaligeri, the Visconti and the Carraresi Signories.

In 1405 Este freely submitted to the Serenissima Republic of Venice and from then on it was linked with the events of this State, ua to the time when thewhole Venetian Region was annexed by Italy.
Nowadays besides being a center of agricultural activities Este is famed for its many historical monuments and cultural life. The most prevailing activity is the ceramic production.