Bonavigo
Welcome to Bonavigo!
Hello friends! Today I will talk to you about Bonavigo, a small town in the province of Verona, Veneto. With its 1961 inhabitants, it is a welcoming place to live or spend your holidays. Let's discover together the geographic and historical features of this beautiful area.
Physical Geography
Bonavigo is located east of the river Adige. It is situated about 34 kilometers southeast of Verona and is part of the Bassa Veronese. The territory has undergone various modifications due to flooding and changes in the course of the Adige. The most important modification was the disappearance of a branch of the Adige that flowed towards Montagnana.
History
Bonavigo was probably part of the Roman colonization by Augustus after the Battle of Actium. The presence of Roman settlements is confirmed by the discovery of tombs and gravestones. However, due to barbarian invasions and disastrous floods of the time, the Roman settlements were abandoned.
The first written traces of the existence of Bonavigo date back to 887. It was after that period that the Benedictine monks diverted and channeled the course of the Adige onto its current path, giving stability to the territory. Until the Venetian rule, the municipal territory had a strong instability of command and was prey to raids and invasions.
During World War II, there was a British prisoner of war camp in Bonavigo that depended on the Pol di Bussolengo base camp. The relationship with the population was excellent, so much so that after the war some women from the village married former prisoners. The prisoners were treated humanely and according to the Geneva Convention by the Royal Army, and after September 8, 1943, they went on the run. They were helped in this by peasant families who offered them food and lodging while waiting to help them escape from raids and deportations to Germany. These stories, together with the history of prisoner of war camps, are told in the documentary "Those days of courage and fear" made in 2008 by the director Mauro Vittorio Quattrina.
The village was subjected to Allied bombings from April 20 to 23, 1945, which aimed to destroy the bridge over the Adige to counter the retreat of a now defeated German army. The result for the village was disastrous, all the symbols of the small community were destroyed: the church, the town hall, the schools and many of the houses overlooking the main square. But, as often happens, the strength of the local population allowed the center of the village to be rebuilt further east on land donated by a local family.
Society
Over the years, the village has consistently grown, peaking at almost 2500 inhabitants in the mid-1960s. Currently, however, the population is decreasing, but the community is still present and vital, with many activities that involve the population and the surrounding area.
Places of Interest
There is so much to see in Bonavigo and its surroundings, I assure you! Regarding religious architecture, there is the Parish Church of Orti, from the eleventh century, which was donated in 1062 by Count Milone to the monastery of San Giorgio in Verona.
But it doesn't end here! There is the historic center, where you can admire the historic houses and ancient villages. Walking through the streets of the village, you can discover the local history and culture. If you love nature, you can explore the territory along the paths and numerous cycling routes. Furthermore, the area is famous for its wine productions, so you'll definitely not miss out on wine tasting!
Conclusions
As you have seen, Bonavigo has a lot of history and culture to offer. It is a welcoming place with a strong and present population that takes care of their places and their community. I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to discover the beauties of the province of Verona and the Bassa Veronese. If you're in the area, don't hesitate to stop by!
