Valli
Welcome to Valli!
Hello everyone! Today I will talk to you about a very interesting hamlet of the Municipality of Chioggia: Valli. Yes, the one located on the left bank of the Brenta river.
History of Valli
Valli is the name of a large expanse of land that was once a swamp and bordered the Venice lagoon. During the Republic of Venice, there were very strict laws for the protection of the lagoon, but the boundaries were not yet well defined. The lagoon was where there was a predominance of brackish waters, while Valli had predominantly fresh water.
The land was reclaimed through hydraulic works, becoming large farms for crops, and the area was called "Le Conche". After a rapid flourishing, however, the population moved to the industrial center of Porto Marghera.
Total reclamation would only come in 1920 by the Brenta-Bacchiglione Reclamation Consortium. The hamlet of Valli gained importance after the construction of public buildings and a parish church dedicated to the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Even after the flood of 1966, reconstruction was carried out quickly and today the area is very prosperous.
The Brenta over the centuries
The Brenta river played an important role in the history of Valli. At the beginning of the 14th century, many rivers flowed into the lagoon basin, including the Brenta, Bacchiglione, Sile, and Piave. Thanks to the eight port mouths, which underwent numerous interventions and modified the original course of the river, it is now possible to navigate from the sea to Valli.
During the 15th century, work on diverting the mouth of the Brenta river continued, and the waters were moved southwards and channeled towards the port of Malamocco. In the 16th century, attention shifted to environmental protection and the theses of Alvise Corner and Cristoforo Sabbadino began to be discussed.
It was these two who implemented the project that involved moving the lagoon basin away from the mouths of major rivers, to avoid progressive silting.
What to do in Valli
Now that you know the history of Valli, you may be wondering what you can do in this charming hamlet. Let's start with a walk along the Brenta river, admiring the numerous bridges that connect Valli to the other hamlets of Chioggia. The landscape is very suggestive and I recommend you take a break along the way to take some photos.
The area is also very famous for the cultivation of cabbages. I recommend you visit the local farms and taste some local specialties in one of the trattorie.
In addition, in Valli, you can visit the parish church of Santa Maria Nascente, a very ancient and suggestive religious building. And if you love nature, a walk in the WWF oasis "Valle Averto" is a must.
Conclusion
Here we are at the end of our virtual journey to Valli! I hope I have helped you to better know this charming hamlet of Chioggia. If you are in Venice, do not hesitate to take the SS 309 Romea and make a stop in Valli. There is much to discover and you will certainly not be bored!
