Carbognano
Welcome to Carbognano
Hi guys! Today I'm going to talk about Carbognano, a delightful Italian municipality with a population of around 2,000 inhabitants, located in the province of Viterbo, Lazio.
Physical Geography
Territory
Carbognano is located on the Cimini Mountains, at the foot of the eastern slopes of the crateric enclosure of Lake Vico. The village stretches along the banks of two valleys, which converge to form the "rio Sorcello", which in turn is a tributary of the Tiber River.
Climate
Carbognano enjoys a Mediterranean climate with cool and humid winters, and hot and dry summers.
Origins of the Name
We do not know the exact origin of the name Carbognano, but there are some interesting theories:
- A temple dedicated to the god Janus called Castellaccio di Arignano would have been built on the Sant'Eutizio hill, whose name may derive from Ara Jani - Arignano - Carbognano;
- A Roman patrician named Carbilius built a villa in the area and called it Villa Caribilia - Carbiliano - Carbognano;
- The area was characterized by the rich presence of chestnut and oak trees, which were supported by the processing of timber, an important activity for charcoal production;
- In the past, Carbognano was also called Corvignanum or Carmignano as can be seen in a bull of Eugenius IV of 1443.
History
Carbognano has a very ancient past dating back to the Etruscan and Roman era. The village was in a strategic position, close to the Cimini Mountains, and served as a garrison for troops in transit. Some artifacts testify to the presence of a community, albeit not permanently stable, since the 4th century BC.
The first certain news dates back to the 10th century when Carbognano was enrolled among the possessions of the Abbey of Farfa. Over the centuries it passed through the hands of many different powerful families, including the Prefects of Vico and the Apostolic Camera. In 1494, Pope Alexander VI Borgia gave Carbognano to Orsino Orsini and his wife Giulia Farnese, who managed it for several decades. In 1630, Pope Urban VIII Barberini elevated Carbognano to Principality owned by the Colonna family.
Monuments and Places of Interest
Religious Architecture
The parish church of Carbognano is a beautiful example of neoclassical architecture. Built in the 18th century, it is dedicated to the Virgin Mary and features an imposing façade with a portal that separates it from the bell tower.
The Castle
The castle of Carbognano, located in the center of the village, was built in 1146 and was one of the reasons why the village became important. The castle is surrounded by a moat, which made it more defensible, and by the square tower that dominates the surrounding landscape.
I hope this brief guide has been useful to appreciate some aspects of Carbognano. Visit it and discover all the beauties of the place for yourself!
