Concamarise
Discovering Concamarise, the least populous municipality in Lower Verona
Concamarise is a small municipality located in the province of Verona in Veneto, with a population of 1082 inhabitants. Despite being the least populous in Lower Verona and the sixth in the province of Verona, it has a fascinating history and beauty that attract visitors from all over the world.
Physical Geography
Concamarise is located 32 km south of Verona and covers an area of just under 8 km². The urban center consists of two main nuclei: the old part, also called "Piazza," and the new part, known as "Capitello," which is now the town center. In addition, there is the inhabited locality of S. Giovanni (towards Bovolone) and Ca 'de Micheli (which extends along the Lower Padua state road 10 between Sanguinetto and Nogara).
Etymology
The toponym Concamarise derives from "Conchamaris," which means "seashell." The locality is mentioned for the first time in a document from 1144 with the name ''Conchamaris''. In this archival source, Emperor Conrad II assured protection to the Nonantola abbey, recognizing the court of Nogara the privilege of hosting a church and exercising secular rights with Comarisis.
In reality, the most widely accepted hypothesis links the name composed of "conca" and "marise" to the geographical location of the town. If the first term refers to a depression in the territory, the second is derived from the Latin word "meridies," which means "noon": the compound word would indicate, therefore, "a land where one stops to rest at noon or exposed to the south."
Coat of Arms
The municipal coat of arms of Concamarise is quadripartite: in the two blue quadrants, a sea wave reminiscent of the marshy terrain of origin is depicted, while in the top left red quadrant, a stylized shell is represented, a symbol of the name of the municipality. The red quadrant in the lower right bears a ear of Oryza sativa as testimony to the crops that were made here until a few decades ago. At the bottom, the coat of arms is surrounded by two branches: one of oak and one of laurel.
History
The town of Concamarise was already known in Vatican maps for its San Giovanni site, an important convent of friars. The town declared itself a free municipality in 1225 but quickly lost autonomy by changing feudal lords several times: first, it became a fiefdom of the De Palatio and Sanbonifacio.
In 1348 the village was devastated by the plague, which claimed numerous victims. In the 16th century, the town was transformed into an agricultural village under the domination of the Serene Republic of Venice. Over the centuries, Concamarise has become one of the main rice production locations in the province of Verona.
What to visit in Concamarise
Despite its small area, Concamarise offers several attractions and activities for visitors.
The historic center
The historic center consists of Piazza, the old part of the town, and Capitello, the new part. Piazza is the beating heart of the town and is characterized by the public water system in cast iron, an ancient hydraulic system that supplied all the taps in the town. Capitello, instead, is a monument built in honor of San Giovanni Nepomuceno, the patron saint of the town.
The Church of San Giovanni Battista
The church of San Giovanni Battista, located in the locality of S. Giovanni, is a small architectural gem. Dating back to the 13th century, it was renovated in the 17th century and has recently undergone further renovation work.
The rice fields of Concamarise
The rice fields of Concamarise, where rice is still cultivated today, are a place of great tourist interest. Here you can discover how rice is cultivated, visit the farm, and buy the rice produced directly.
Nature
Concamarise is located in a protected natural area, and here it is possible to practice various outdoor activities such as walking, cycling, and birdwatching.
Concamarise, the least populous municipality in Lower Verona, is a fascinating place full of history. Despite its small size, it offers several attractions and activities for visitors. Discovering this small town means coming into contact with its history, culture, and natural beauty, for an unforgettable vacation.
