Chieve
The Municipality of Chieve: A Historical Place
The Municipality of Chieve, located in the heart of Lombardy, is a historic town with a population of 2241 inhabitants. Bordering both the provinces of Cremona and Lodi, Chieve is a location rich in cultural heritage and historical monuments. In this article, we will explore the etymological history of Chieve, its society, and its infrastructure.
History
According to historical documents, Chieve was a fraction of Capergnanica during the Napoleonic era but regained its autonomy with the establishment of the Lombardo-Venetian Kingdom. The name Chieve has very ancient origins and dates back to the high-medieval period. The first mention of the village dates back to 886 when it is referred to as "de vico Clemba" or "Cleuba." Subsequent references in 900 and 923 refer to the village as "In Cleba." In 955, another document indicates "Clebo." Only in 1082 is a more definite expression mentioned: "de loco Cleuve habitator de loco in Crema." In 1188, an official document speaks of "Clevum utrumque," evidently referring to the two settlements: the old and the new.
According to local scholar Valerio Ferrari, the name Chieve originates from the Latin term "clevus" or "clivus," indicating a slope, a declivity, a small hill, or a slightly raised place. This explanation seems to refer to the morphology of the territory on which Chieve is built. Like other small settlements in the area, Chieve would have been built on the western margins of the so-called Insula Fulcheria, whose gentle slopes offered the possibility for those who settled there to shelter from the frequent flooding of Lake Gerundo.
Etymology
According to the historian Pietro Terni from Crema, the name "Chieve" derives from the "keys" that ancient inhabitants of the territory (more precisely, of the "Island of Mosa") used to guard the ships with which they crossed the surrounding marshes. However, this explanation seems to be based on a fanciful and unlikely hypothesis.
Society
Chieve has a population of 2241 inhabitants. According to data from December 31, 2020, the number of foreign citizens present in the Municipality is 127, mainly coming from Romania (60).
Infrastructure and Transport
The Municipality of Chieve is affected by the State Road 235 of Orzinuovi and the Provincial Roads 5, 17, and 62. The city has a network of urban transport run by Autoguidovie and LINE companies.
In the past, between 1880 and 1931, the Lodi-Crema-Soncino tramway passed along the route of the State Road 235 of Orzinuovi.
Chieve has no railway stations of its own. However, the nearest stations are the Crema station, on the Treviglio-Cremona railway line (just over 6 km away), and the Lodi station, on the Milan-Bologna railway line (just over 12 km away).
Conclusions
In general, the Municipality of Chieve is a welcoming place with a long history and rooted culture. Due to its favorable location and recent infrastructure, Chieve has become a popular destination for many travelers. From here, every visitor can explore and discover the historical and cultural heritage of the territory.
