Bolgare
Discovering Bolgare
Hello everyone! Today I will take you on a journey to discover Bolgare, a municipality in the province of Bergamo, Lombardy, with a millennium-old history. Bolgare has about 6,446 inhabitants and is located along the Cherio river, about 17 kilometers east of the city of Bergamo.
History
If you are passionate about history, Bolgare is the perfect place for you. The town has its origins in the Roman Empire times, as evidenced by some findings, including a mosaic inserted in a house floor, some funerary stones and imperial coins.
The name Bolgare seems to derive from the barbarian invasions that took place in the fifth century, when the Huns arrived in these areas together with elements belonging to the Bulgarian army. Bolgare means in fact 'locality where Bulgarians stay'.
The first written document that mentioned the name of the town dates back to the year 830 in a bequest in favor of the church. In the Middle Ages, the town underwent numerous transformations, especially due to the fights between the Guelph and Ghibelline factions that led to the construction of numerous fortifications and towers.
Among these, a tower that was part of the castle owned by the Berlendis family, located in the center of the town, can still be admired today. In the thirteenth century, Bolgare was destroyed by the Milanese on behalf of the Ghibellines and was rebuilt later, passing under the dominion of the Visconti and then the Colleoni.
With the advent of the Cisalpine Republic, to which it passed in 1797, Bolgare began to assume the characteristics of an agricultural village. In 1630, the population was decimated by the wave of the plague that hit the whole of Europe. Only with the establishment of the Republic of Venice did the situation stabilize. In the twentieth century, industrial settlements contributed to a significant economic growth of the town.
Monuments and places of interest
In the town's central square, many structures can be admired that reflect the history of the town. The Guelf Tower, which is part of the Berlendis family castle from the thirteenth century, stands majestically in the center of the square. Near the tower, you can visit the Church of San Pietro, erected in place of the ancient castle.
The church also contains some artistic works including a painting depicting the Madonna with the Child on a throne, coming from the disappeared oratory of San Rocco.
Symbols
The blazon of the Bolgare coat of arms is symbolic, with a field of gold with eight blue points, around a Pelican in Majesty, who pierces his chest with his own beak.
Conclusions
Bolgare is a municipality that encompasses many centuries of history and still preserves many testimonies of a glorious past. Towers, castles, and churches testify to the presence of great families and lords who governed the town over the centuries. If you have the opportunity to visit Lombardy, don't miss Bolgare and discover its fascinating history and culture.
