Albignasego
Albignasego: a small town in the heart of Veneto
Welcome to Albignasego, a municipality in the province of Padua, located in the Veneto plain, a few kilometers from the Euganean Hills. With its 26,006 inhabitants, Albignasego is the second largest municipality in the province by population, after the city of Padua. Let's discover something more about the history and beauties of this small town.
Physical geography
Albignasego extends in the Veneto plain south of Padua and is crossed by some watercourses. Its surroundings also include the Euganean Hills, a volcanic mountain chain rich in beautiful natural landscapes.
Origin of the name
The name Albignasego derives from the Latin name Albinius, which was probably the name of a landowner in these lands. The suffix -aticus indicates "belonging", so the name of the town means "belonging to Albinio".
History
From Prehistory to Roman times
The territory of Albignasego has been inhabited since prehistoric times. Bronze Age artifacts were found at the beginning of the 20th century in the Mandriola locality, and are currently preserved at the Padua Civic Museum. With the arrival of the Romans, the area was affected by Roman Centuriation and Hydraulic Reclamation, to allow better exploitation of the soil.
The Middle Ages
The first known document in which Albignasego is mentioned is a diploma of Emperor Berengar I, with which the right to assign the tithes of Villa Albignasega to the Canons of the Cathedral of Padua was reaffirmed. The toponym appears in other similar documents, while in a papal "estimate" of 1297 the city parish is mentioned as San Tommaso de Bignasico.
The Obizzi
Since the fifteenth century, the history of Albignasego has been linked to the Obizzi family, a household originating from Lucca with descendants in several cities of central-northern Italy, including Padua.
Symbols
The coat of arms of Albignasego consists of a green background that refers to widespread agriculture and the vast forests present in the area. The ox represents the ancient cattle breeding and is also a symbol of the heroism and courage shown by the Albignasego community.
Monuments and places of interest
Villa San Bonifacio (called "Villa Mandriola")
The architectural complex of Villa San Bonifacio, also known as "Villa Mandriola", is located near the third kilometer of the Adriatic State Road 16. It was built in the sixteenth century by the noble Veronese family of San Bonifacio and is located in the area now known as "Mandriola", but also called "San Bonifacio" in the past.
The historic center
The historic center of Albignasego is full of palaces and churches of historical and artistic interest, including the Church of Sant'Antonio Abate and the Church of San Michele Arcangelo. Don't miss the Palazzo del Municipio, built in the eighteenth century.
Pirate Park
The Pirate Park is a green area with many attractions dedicated to children, such as slides, swings and a beautiful picnic area.
Local cuisine
Albignasego's local cuisine presents many Paduan and Venetian influences, with dishes based on meat and fresh pasta. Among the local specialties are Bigoli, Sarde in saor, orecchiette with vegetables and the traditional Venetian liver.
Albignasego is a small pearl of Veneto, with a millenary history and many beauties to discover. If you have the opportunity to visit it, you won't regret it!
