Altissimo
Welcome to Altissimo!
Hello everyone! Today I will talk about Altissimo, a municipality in the province of Vicenza in Veneto with a population of approximately 2,138 inhabitants. Located in the Chiampo valley at 672 meters above sea level, the town is part of the Lessinia Natural Park. In this summary, I will talk about the physical geography, history, symbols of the town, monuments and places of interest, demographic evolution, administration, and finally, sources for further study.
Physical Geography
As I mentioned, Altissimo is located in the Chiampo valley at an altitude of 672 meters above sea level. The surrounding territory is hilly and rich in forests and meadows. Being part of the Lessinia Natural Park, the town offers breathtaking landscapes and precious biodiversity.
History
The town of Altissimo has very ancient origins and developed starting from the 13th century thanks to the colonization of Germanic ethnic populations, called the Cimbri. In 1287, Olderico da Altissimo signed a contract with the bishop of Verona, Bartolomeo della Scala, becoming the gastaldo of the territory. In the medieval period, the church of San Nicola and the Molino and Costa districts were the most important places in the town. In 1336, Altissimo participated in the struggles against Mastino II della Scala, alongside Padua and Serenissima. In 1387, the Scaligeri were replaced by the Visconti and then by the Republic of Venice in 1404. During the rule of the Serenissima, the subsistence economy based on small and medium local property owners became a profit economy monopolized by nobles and bourgeoisie. After the Napoleonic period, Altissimo became a municipality of the Lombardo-Veneto Kingdom, part of the Arzignano district in the province of Vicenza. During World War II, the town was crossed by retreating German soldiers, and some were confronted and disarmed, while others looted houses and took hostages.
Symbols
The coat of arms of the municipality of Altissimo consists of a Samnite shield with three shells and a golden ribbon with the inscription "ALTISIMO" in red on a white background. The gonfalon is a cut cloth of white and blue.
Monuments and places of interest
The town of Altissimo is rich in monuments and places of interest. The church of San Nicola, dating back to the 13th century, is certainly worth a visit. In addition, there are numerous historic villas and palaces, such as Villa Bernia, Villa Forni Zanotto, and Palazzo Dosson.
Society
Demographic evolution
The demographic evolution of Altissimo has been quite stable in recent decades, with a slight decrease in population over time. Today, the population is approximately 2,138 inhabitants.
Administration
The administration of Altissimo is led by Mayor Tommaso Dal Molin and the municipal council. The municipality has a long history of self-government and has always been attentive to the needs of the local community.
Notes
In the municipality of Altissimo, there are numerous sources of information on local traditions, the town's history, and the daily life of the community. These sources include the books "La chiesa e la Comunità parrocchiale di Altissimo" by Franco Barbieri and other authors, "Altissimo, una comunità e le sue contrade: le origini e la storia: nuove ricerche" by Maurizio Bertacco, Antonio Lora, and Miro Monchelato, and "Altissimo: La storia e l'arte. Guida illustrata" by Vittoriano Nori.
Bibliography
- "Campanella di Altissimo nel terzo centenario della sua chiesa, 1657-1957" Alberto Dal Molin (1957)
- "La chiesa e la Comunità parrocchiale di Altissimo" Franco Barbieri and others (1975)
- "Altissimo, una comunità e le sue contrade: le origini e la storia: nuove ricerche" Maurizio Bertacco, Antonio Lora, and Miro Monchelato (2004)
- "Altissimo: la storia e l'arte. Guida illustrata" Vittoriano Nori (1982)
- "Una strana pietra millesimata alla costa di Altissimo" Fernando Zampiva (1997)
Related articles
- History of the Vicenza territory
- Tommaso Dal Molin
- Chiampo Valley
Other projects
There are many online resources that provide information about Altissimo. For example, the website of the Municipality of Altissimo, Wikipedia, and Google Maps are all useful for getting to know the town and its history better. Finally, the famous DJ Max Dalla Valle has also dedicated a song to the town of Altissimo!
