Cividate al Piano
Welcome to Cividate al Piano!
We are delighted to introduce our small but charming city located in the beautiful province of Bergamo in Lombardy. With its 5013 inhabitants, Cividate al Piano has plenty to offer its visitors due to its historical and cultural importance, located on the eastern edge of the plain of Bergamo, on the right bank of the Oglio River.
History
Antiquity
Cividate al Piano has its roots in the Roman era (1st century BC). The town was so important that its name derives from the Latin "civitas". The old town still maintains the typical "checkerboard" layout of Roman settlements. Moreover, the village was crossed by the Roman military road that connected Milan and Brescia to Aquileia, which attests to the strategic importance of Cividate.
Middle Ages
After the fall of the Roman Empire, Cividate al Piano was occupied by the Lombards and subsequently by the Franks. During the feudal period, the castle of Cividate was built by the counts of Bergamo to defend the border with Brescia. During the communal period, the city was at the center of the fights between the Guelfs and the Ghibellines, due to its position on the border between Ghibelline cities such as Bergamo and Cremona, and Guelf cities such as Milan and Brescia. It was involved in important conflicts, such as the battle of Rudiano, fought in 1191 between the Bergamaschi allied with the city of Cremona and the Bresciani. This battle was very bloody and it is said that the blood of the killed colored the water of the Oglio river red for several hours.
Renaissance
In the early Renaissance period, Cividate al Piano and the whole Lombardy region came under the dominion of the Visconti. In 1366, part of Cividate's territory, the Motte, was enfeoffed by Bernabò Visconti to his wife Regina della Scala, together with other castles in the Calciana located on the right bank of the Oglio. The struggles between the two opposing parties ended only when the city was conquered by the Republic of Venice in 1428, bringing stability and tranquility to the city.
San Nicolò Fair
In the border area between the Serenissima and the Duchy of Milan, like in all border areas, smuggling activity gave rise to the important San Nicolò Fair. This event took place from the 6th to the 13th of December every year and lasted from the 16th century until the first half of the 19th century. The fair was a source of trade but also of criminal events.
What to see in Cividate al Piano
- The Castle: the symbol of the city, the castle was built by the counts of Bergamo to defend the border with Brescia.
- The Church of Santa Maria: an important church in Cividate al Piano dating back to the 12th century.
- The Clock Tower: located in the heart of the old town, it is one of the best-preserved medieval towers in Lombardy.
- The Town Hall: an important historical building constructed during the Venetian period.
- San Nicolò Fair: although the fair has ended many years ago, the old town of Cividate al Piano still conserves the atmosphere of the ancient events.
Gastronomy
The culinary tradition of Cividate al Piano is linked to local products. Among the specialties, we can mention polenta, Bergamo salami, soppressata, fruit mustard, and local wines such as Moscato, Valcalepio, and Freccia Rossa. Moreover, we cannot forget about the famous casoncello, a pasta filled with meat, butter, and spices that has become a gastronomic attraction of the area.
Conclusion
Cividate al Piano, with its ancient history and medieval architecture, offers visitors a total immersion in the culture and gastronomy of Lombardy. There is plenty to see and taste in this small city, and you will undoubtedly not be disappointed. Come and enjoy the beauty of our municipality!
