Castegnero
Castegnero, land of chestnuts
Castegnero is an Italian municipality located in the province of Vicenza, in the Veneto region. The municipality has about 2853 inhabitants and is known for its chestnut trees, from which the name of the town may have originated. However, there are also other theories explaining the origin of the name Castegnero.
According to some studies, the term would derive from the Latin "castanea", which means chestnut, since the area is covered with numerous chestnut trees. Other hypotheses, instead, refer to medieval military terminology, suggesting that the ancient toponym "Castegnendum" derives from "Castrum nedum", a Germanic term indicating defensive works.
The history of Castegnero
Ancient times
The territory where Castegnero now stands was inhabited in ancient times by Venetian populations. Several testimonies from this period have been found, including artifacts discovered in the Castellaro area. In the 2nd century BC, the territory was then annexed to the Roman Republic and, from this period, a marble stele with a Latin inscription was found and preserved in the parish church of San Giorgio.
Middle Ages
With the domination of the Lombards, which lasted about two centuries, Castegnero also became the seat of a Lombard settlement. Thanks to the presence of Benedictine monks, from the second half of the 8th century, the territory began to undergo a slow but progressive transformation, with the construction of hospitals for the poor and pilgrims and the start of an incisive agricultural reclamation work.
It is likely that in the Middle Ages Castegnero had two castles: one on the mountain called "Castellaro" and the other near the church of San Giorgio. Castegnero was located in an area subject to raids by the Paduans and so in 1312, when Vicenza came under the rule of the Scaligeri, the fortified location near the bridge over the Bisatto river was conquered.
Curiosities about Castegnero
Castegnero is also famous for some peculiarities that make it unique. One of its most precious treasures is the parish church of San Giorgio, the patron saint of the town. It is a beautiful Romanesque building from the 13th century that preserves many works of art inside, including a polyptych by Jacopo da Montagnana.
Another curiosity concerns the presence of "covoli", natural caves located on the surrounding hills. During the domination of the Scaligeri, the population took refuge inside these caves to escape enemy raids.
Lastly, Castegnero is also known for its culinary tradition, with typical dishes such as "salty gnocchi" and "torta di Castegnero", a cake made with nuts and chocolate.
Conclusions
In summary, Castegnero is a small municipality located in the province of Vicenza, famous for the presence of chestnut trees and its millenary history. From ancient times to the present day, Castegnero has managed to preserve its identity and beauty, with welcoming streets, places to visit, and delicious dishes to taste. If you are in Veneto, do not miss the opportunity to discover this hidden gem of the region.
