Canonica d'Adda
Discovering Canonica d'Adda
Hello everyone! Today I will take you on a journey to discover a small town in the province of Bergamo: Canonica d'Adda. This village, known as "Calònega" in the Bergamo dialect and "Canòniga" in the Milanese dialect, has about 4169 inhabitants and is located in the Po Valley, between the Bergamasca island and the Gera d'Adda, at the confluence of the Adda and Brembo rivers.
History
Origins
The origins of Canonica d'Adda are very ancient and date back to the Roman era. In 268, an important battle took place between the emperor Claudius Gothicus and Manio Acilio Aureolo, a pretender to the imperial power. Despite defeating his opponent, the winner decided to give a decent burial to his enemy and to build a bridge over the Adda river that carried his name. Since then, this territory has been called "Ponte di Aureolo" and later "Pontirolo Vecchio", in contrast to the new village that arose nearby, called "Pontirolo Nuovo".
The village of "Ponte di Aureolo" played an important role in the economy of the period, thanks to the presence of an important road that connected Milan to Bergamo, and then continued to the eastern territories up to Aquileia. However, the barbarian invasions made the survival of the village difficult.
Modern era
After the Lombard domination, Canonica d'Adda experienced a period of great importance thanks to the construction of a large church dedicated to St. John the Evangelist. This became the Pieve of thirty-six villages located on both sides of the Adda river and was placed under the protection of the Holy See. Taxes, tithes, and rents from nearby territories were paid to the canons of the Pieve, and their power was enormous. However, in 1577, St. Charles Borromeo revoked the concessions to the canons due to their dissolute life and transferred the rights to the Milanese Church of Santo Stefano. The Pieve was demolished and a new place of worship was built in its place.
What to see in Canonica d'Adda
If you decide to visit Canonica d'Adda, you can admire numerous attractions. Among these, I recommend visiting the church of St. John the Evangelist. This ancient place of worship was built in the 18th century, based on the Pieve demolished by St. Charles Borromeo, and has an elegant neoclassical façade.
Furthermore, you can visit the civic and archaeological museum, where you can discover the history of the territory and admire ancient artifacts dating back to the Roman and Lombard periods. Don't miss the opportunity to visit the Visconteo Castle, built in the 13th century at the behest of the Lord of Milan, Matteo Visconti, and the Town Hall, located in the historic center of the town.
Events in Canonica d'Adda
Throughout the year, Canonica d'Adda hosts numerous cultural events and festivals. Among these, I recommend participating in the feast of St. John, which takes place on June 24th and celebrates the patron saint of the town with fireworks, parades, and live music. Other unmissable events are the San Martino Fair, which takes place in November, and the Notte Bianca di Canonica, which offers shows and entertainment all night long.
What to eat in Canonica d'Adda
You cannot leave Canonica d'Adda without tasting the typical dishes of Lombard tradition. I recommend trying casoncelli, a typical Bergamo dish made of pasta stuffed with cheese, meat, and aromatic herbs. Also, don't miss the opportunity to taste local products such as Taleggio cheese, Brianza salami, and red wine from Valcalepio.
I hope this brief virtual tour has been useful in discovering the fascinating history and beauty of Canonica d'Adda. The town offers many attractions and activities for every taste. Don't miss the opportunity to visit it!
