Bozzolo
Welcome to Bozzolo
Hello everyone! Today I want to talk to you about a small municipality in Northern Italy, Bozzolo. With just over 4000 inhabitants, this town in the province of Mantua has a rich and interesting history.
Origin of the name
Bozzolo was known as ''Vaudiolo'' or ''Vauxiolo'' in the 9th and 10th centuries, which means ''small ford''. This name derives from the fact that the village is located near the Oglio River, which has shifted its course northwards over the centuries. In 949, Bozzolo was already defined as a ''castrum'', a fortified place where 30 rustic houses stood.
History
Bozzolo has an ancient and fascinating history. During the Middle Ages, the city was ruled by the great Cremonese feudal families, such as the Dovara and the Cavalcabò. However, the Benedictine Abbey of Santa Maria della Gironda was located near Bozzolo, which, although abandoned by the monks in the 14th century, was independent from the bishop.
Bozzolo was given in lordship to the Cavalcabò of Cremona by Barbarossa and remained in their possession until the 15th century. In 1408, Bozzolo passed under the dominion of the Gonzaga, lords of Mantua, along with other countries beyond the Oglio. In 1478, Bozzolo was included in an autonomous consignoria with respect to the Gonzaga of Mantua, assigned by Lodovico, the second Marquis of Mantua, to the younger sons Cardinal Francesco and Giovan Francesco.
The city remained under the possession of the Gonzaga family of Sabbioneta and Bozzolo from 1315 to 1701. In the 16th century, thanks to the desire of Duke Vespasiano Gonzaga, Bozzolo was enclosed by walls and in 1594 it obtained the title of city.
The period of the princes
Bozzolo was ruled by various lords, among whom the most important were the Gonzaga. Vespasiano Gonzaga, Duke of Sabbioneta, was the first to reorganize Bozzolo urbanistically, doubling its population and carrying out the construction of a second parish. His successor, Giulio Cesare Gonzaga, obtained from Emperor Rudolf II the transformation of the consignoria into an imperial fief, and Bozzolo became the capital. This led to the title of city for Bozzolo and the title of prince for Giulio Cesare.
After Giulio Cesare, Scipione Gonzaga and his sons Ferdinando and Giovan Francesco ruled. The latter died without heirs, and in 1703 the Principality passed to the Gonzaga Dukes of Mantua and in 1708 to the Gonzaga Dukes of Guastalla. In 1746, Bozzolo was annexed to Austrian Lombardy.
Conclusions
Bozzolo is a small town but it has a very interesting history to tell. Its monuments, such as the Abbey of Santa Maria della Gironda and the castle reconstructed according to Renaissance modules, are testimonies of its importance throughout the centuries. If you are passionate about history and architecture, I recommend visiting Bozzolo and its surroundings. I'm sure you will fall in love with this small town in Northern Italy just as I did.
