Capizzone
Welcome to Capizzone: a troubled yet charming history
Welcome to Capizzone, a small municipality in Bergamo, located in the beautiful Imagna Valley. The history of this town is very interesting, unfortunately still shrouded in uncertainty. However, there are many details that allow us to understand the origins of Capizzone and its evolution over the centuries.
A look at the history of the town
According to the most popular hypotheses, it seems that it was the Roman Civilization that had the first settlements on the territory of Capizzone in ancient times, considering their presence throughout the Imagna Valley and the Brembana Valley. However, it is in the medieval period that Capizzone begins to assume a well-defined physiognomy.
It was a very troubled period, as there were clashes between Guelphs and Ghibellines. Numerous fortifications arose throughout the area, and Capizzone built some defensive constructions. The initial period saw the Guelphs prevail, so much so that the Ghibellines asked for help from the Visconti, lords of Milan. In the end, they managed to defeat their adversaries and extend their dominion over the valleys of the area. However, the rivalry between the two factions continued for a long time, often leading to revolts and new killings.
But eventually, the situation reversed when the area came under the control of the Republic of Venice, which supported the Guelph side. Thanks to this event, Capizzone and other Guelph towns received favorable treatment. Even today, in the historic center of the town, it is possible to admire some buildings and places that evoke this glorious past.
The rivalry with the nearby town of Brembilla
The chronicles of the town also tell us that the rivalry between Capizzone and the neighboring town of Brembilla was not just due to the division between Guelphs and Ghibellines. In reality, they confronted each other for the predominance over a territory located on the left bank of the Imagna stream. Even in this case, the fights were very bloody, with incursions of both contenders on the territories of the other community.
In one of these expeditions, carried out by the people of Brembilla in Capizzone territory, the parish church was even destroyed, of which only the bell tower remains, detached from the current reconstructed sacred building. However, the dispute ended in the sixteenth century thanks to the direct intervention of Carlo Borromeo, who returned the disputed territory to Capizzone.
The numerous contrade
Capizzone has the particularity of not having any hamlets, but being divided into numerous contrade, including Cabignone, Mortesina, Le Grate, Medega and Cabasso. Each of these contrade had their own peculiarities and demands, and this often led to clashes and misunderstandings. However, today all these contrade represent a historical and artistic heritage of considerable value, offering visitors the opportunity to discover the artistic and cultural treasures of Capizzone.
The church of San Carlo
One of the places of greatest interest in Capizzone is the church of San Carlo, located close to a small square where the bell tower and the town hall are also situated. An obligatory passage for all visitors to the town, the church of San Carlo is one of the most refined and suggestive examples of baroque scenographic architecture in the province of Bergamo. Inside, the three aisles and the large dome dominate a plunging space enriched by numerous works of art.
Events and traditions
Capizzone is a small town that still lives with the spirit of traditions and events, as demonstrated by the patronal feast of November 4th in honor of San Carlo. Every year, various events and popular festivals are held in the summer months, where neighboring towns compete in music and dance. On these occasions, people from the entire Imagna Valley come together to have fun and spend carefree moments.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Capizzone is a small town that still preserves many traces of its troubled history and the rivalries between its contrade. However, it also represents an opportunity to discover the beauty of baroque architecture, the vitality of its people and local traditions. Visiting Capizzone gives the impression of going back in time, to fifteenth-century Lombardy.
We are certain that the charm of this town will captivate you and leave you with an unforgettable experience.
