Cartigliano
Cartigliano: a brief introduction
Cartigliano is a municipality of 3,732 inhabitants located in the province of Vicenza in Veneto, Italy. It is only 6 km from Bassano del Grappa and 27 km from Vicenza, on the left bank of the Brenta river. In this text, we will explore the origins of its name, its history, and its culture.
Origins of the name
The name "Cartigliano" derives from the "fundus Cartilianus," which means "fund of the gens Cartilia," a family known for the production of bricks. In 589, a flood of the Brenta river changed the course of the Medoacus, which flowed east of Cartigliano. This event caused damage to some parts of the territory.
History
Cartigliano has a past rich in bloody and memorable events. In 899, Berengar of Friuli clashed with the Hungarians on the banks of the Adda and forced them to retreat to the Brenta. The Hungarians offered surrender, but Berengar refused, leading to his downfall. On September 24, 899, while the Italian army was bivouacked in Cartigliano, the Hungarians attacked suddenly, killing most of the contingent. Subsequently, the Hungarians pushed as far as the Great St. Bernard, sacking cities like Treviso, Vicenza, Bergamo, Vercelli, and Bologna.
The town originally belonged to the bishops of Vicenza but became a fief of the Ezzelini family. After their fall in 1260, Cartigliano followed the fate of Bassano del Grappa, maintaining a certain territorial autonomy. In 1278, the town turned to the Podestà of Padua to resolve a boundary dispute with the municipality of Bassano del Grappa.
The parish church of Cartigliano, dating back to the twelfth century, was renovated in the early seventeenth century and expanded towards the end of the nineteenth century. The presbytery, which was the ancient left arm of the transept, is decorated with frescoes by Jacopo Bassano and his sons (1575). On the altar is a panel by Bartolomeo Montagna, Madonna and Saints with the Eternal Father and Angels (about 1497-98).
On September 24, 1863, Francesco V d'Este officially disbanded the Estense Brigade in the courtyard of Villa Morosini Cappello. The ceremony was photographed by Fortunato Antonio Perini, one of the first Italian photographers. In Vienna, a commemorative medal was struck for the Estense Brigade that was distributed to the Noble Guards of Honor, the officers, the non-commissioned officers, and the soldiers who remained loyal to Francesco V d'Este.
Conclusion
Cartigliano is a municipality with a rich and interesting history. Its location on the banks of the Brenta River and its proximity to cities like Bassano del Grappa and Vicenza makes it an ideal place to visit the beauties of Veneto. If you are passionate about history and architecture, do not miss the opportunity to visit the parish church of Cartigliano, which houses some very interesting works of art.
