Albettone
Albettone: a geographical overview
Albettone is a small municipality in the province of Vicenza, located in the Veneto region, with a population of approximately 2000 residents. The flat area where Albettone is situated has some modest hills, the last ones of the Berici Hills and only a few kilometres away from the Euganean Hills. The town centre is located in the western part of the territory, and its position is dominated by a group of articulated hills.
The municipality is defined by the Bisatto Canal, which flows in a northwest-southeast direction and represents the primary watercourse in the area. Besides this, there are many other canals linked to land reclamation.
Origin of the Name
The toponym Albettone would derive from the merging of two words, the conjunction "al" and the Germanic proper name "Betto". However, it could also come from the pre-Latin theme "bodo," referring to a watercourse.
History of Albettone
Ancient Times
Human presence in this territory dates back to prehistory, as demonstrated by a flint chip found in 1935 in the small valley beneath the old church of Lovertino, preserved in Este. During Roman times, the area was also inhabited, as evidenced by the findings near the chapel of Saints Vito and Modesto.
Middle Ages
Albettone is mentioned for the first time in 983, in a privilege of the Bishop of Vicenza who donated some properties to the Benedictine monastery of Saints Vito and Modesto. During the Middle Ages, the area was crossed by the Bisatto Canal, completed around the twelfth century by the people of Vicenza.
The Bisatto Canal, at times when waterways were more important than land ones, was a fundamental means of communication for the local economy, allowing easy transportation to the cities of limestone, abundant in the area, from which hydraulic lime was obtained.
Information about Albettone's Villages
Albettone includes three villages: Lovertino, Lovolo, and San Gregorio. Lovertino is located at the foot of the Santo mountain, the highest peak in the area, and was likely inhabited during Roman times. Lovolo, more to the north, is also overlooked by a small hill. San Gregorio extends along the ancient road that linked Albettone to Cinto Euganeo, one of the Euganean Hills’ villages.
Historical and Cultural Heritage of Albettone
The Municipality of Albettone includes several churches of historical interest, including the Basilica of Saints Vito and Modesto, dating back to the eleventh century, the Church of San Giorgio, erected in the eighteenth century, and the suggestive Church of Santa Maria Assunta in Lovertino, dating back to 1200.
Among the numerous historical monuments, one of the most relevant is Villa Bonin Longare, located east of Albettone and dating back to the eighteenth century. This was built for the Bonin family, which has had a strong presence in the area for generations.
Economy and Jobs in the Area
The economy of the municipality is based on agriculture and the production of local typical products, such as the red radicchio from Albettone, which has obtained the protected designation of origin from the European Union.
One of the traditional jobs in the area is the processing of limestone for the production of hydraulic lime. This processing requires cutting stones on the surrounding hills, transportation through the Bisatto Canal, and processing at the several kilns in the area.
Conclusions
Albettone is a municipality that encloses an interesting and little-known historical, cultural, and gastronomic heritage. The flat territory offers several opportunities for nature lovers, while the villages and churches of the municipality are perfect for those who love art and history. The production of typical products and the processing of limestone represent the traditional jobs in the area, and their knowledge is essential to appreciate local culture.
