Arzignano
Arzignano: Discovering a Venetian City
Arzignano is a city located in the province of Vicenza, in the Veneto region. With its 25,173 inhabitants, it is situated in the Chiampo valley surrounded by the hills of the Monti Lessini. The area is famous for its leather and mechanical industries, but the city also has an ancient and intriguing history. In this article, we will explore the physical geography of the city, the origins of its name, and its history.
Physical Geography
Arzignano is located in the western part of the province of Vicenza. The Chiampo valley, which runs through the city, is bordered to the north by a range of mountains belonging to the Regional Natural Park of the Lessinia. To the west, it is delimited by Mount Calvarina, and to the south by Guà. The area is surrounded by the hills of the Monti Lessini and offers a breathtaking view of the surrounding area.
Origins of the Name
The origin of Arzignano's name is still a subject of debate among local historians. Some of the local scholars of the 1700s argued that the name derived from "Arx Jani" (Temple of Janus or Fort of Janus). However, this theory has no historical or archaeological evidence. The most recent hypothesis derives the Latin name "Argenianus" from "land, property of Argenius". However, this theory also has no historical basis.
The most plausible hypothesis, instead, is that the name Arzignano derives from the Venetian terms "Arzere", "Arzene" or "Arzegnon". These terms mean "great embankment" and refer to the centuries-old struggle of local farmers to defend the valley floor lands from the floods of the Chiampo River, which runs through the area. This hypothesis seems the most probable, given that there are other towns in Veneto (Arzergrande, Cavarzere, Arzene) located on the banks of large rivers.
History
Prehistory
The hills around Arzignano have yielded artifacts dating back to the Neolithic period, demonstrating the city's antiquity. Arzignano experienced significant development in Roman times thanks to its strategic position.
The River and the Embankment
The presence of a Roman bridge and a plank road in Venetian times are evidence of the long-standing struggle of the citizens of Arzignano to safeguard their valuable valley floor land from the floods of the Chiampo River. This river runs through the area and is known for its rage and strength. The citizens of Arzignano fought for centuries to protect their land from the fury of the river's waters. The name of the city itself derives from the Venetian term "Arzene," which means embankment.
Most likely, in Venetian or Roman times, our ancestors moved the bed of the Chiampo River from the center of the valley (where the Arzignano canal now runs) to the current site at the foot of the San Bortolo hill. The colossal work was undertaken to raise the riverbed and contain it with a mighty embankment. In this way, the floods could flow downstream without damaging the town center and its precious land.
Conclusions
In conclusion, Arzignano is a Venetian city of great historical and cultural interest. The origins of its name are still a subject of debate among historians, but it seems to derive from the Venetian term "Arzene." The city has a millennia-old history, which has seen the struggle of its citizens against the floods of the Chiampo River. Today, Arzignano is famous for its leather and mechanical industries, but its ancient and evocative history is still palpable in the streets of the city.
