Villa di Villa
Discover Villa di Villa, a gem among the Venetian hills
Villa di Villa is a beautiful hamlet in Cordignano, located in the province of Treviso, on the border with the province of Pordenone. Framed by the precious Venetian hills, the town enjoys a privileged position on a predominantly agricultural and wooded area. In this article, we will explore together the physical geography, history and places of interest of this enchanting place.
Physical geography
Villa di Villa is located on the hills north of the capital Cordignano, with a spectacular view of the Prealps. The surrounding area is rich in woods and tree varieties, such as the majestic pines, beech and fir trees found on the highest hills of the area. The Cansiglio forest extends above this area. The town has several peaks: Col Oliver, 1123 meters above sea level, is to the north, while Col Castelir, 359 meters above sea level, is to the south. Here you can admire the remains of Castelat, an ancient fortification dating back to the 11th century.
History
The history of Villa di Villa dates back to the Paleovenetian era, around the 1st and 2nd millennium BC, when the first settlements were built. In Roman times, the town grew thanks to its strategic position on the road that connected Friuli to Serravalle (Vittorio Veneto), which contributed to the economic success of the area. During the Lombard period, Villa di Villa had an even greater flowering. In 1337, Villa di Villa came under the dominion of the Serenissima, together with Cordignano. Subsequently, it was the turn of the noble Rangoni of Modena, who governed the town from the 15th to the 18th century. The Mocenigo family succeeded the Rangoni and the old residence was replaced by the new villa, a symbol of the town. In 1797, the arrival of the Napoleonic troops represented the end of the Mocenigo rule and the looting of their assets. After the Congress of Vienna (1815), Villa di Villa became part of the municipality of Cordignano. During the Second World War, the town experienced the vicissitudes of the Italian Resistance and its economy reached its peak in the second half of the 20th century, together with the municipal capital and the other hamlets.
Places of interest
Religious architecture
Parish Church
The parish church of Villa di Villa is the heart of the village. It has been in existence since the 16th century and was consecrated on December 3, 1942. It is located on a raised position from the road, reachable by a flight of steps. The gabled façade of the building is characterized by a rectangular portal placed at the center of a tripartite division achieved by means of four Ionic-order pilasters, which correspond to three empty niches. The architrave is surmounted by a pediment with a small rose window. On the right side, there is a small bell tower opened by a single-light window with balustrade on each side and crowned by battlements.
Church of Our Lady of Grace
At an altitude of 160 meters, on a hill to the north-east of the town, there is a small church dedicated to Our Lady of Grace, owned by a family residing here. The small church, of ancient foundation, was rebuilt in the twentieth century, following an earthquake. The façade is gabled, opened by the portal and a lunette window, above which a plaque reads ''Maria Mater Gratiarum ora pro nobis''. Internally the church has a nave terminated by the altar of the Madonna to which it is consecrated. Embedded on the right side, there is a small bell tower.
Civil architecture
Castelat
Castelat or Castle of Cordignano is an ancient fortification located on Col Castelir and dating back to the 11th century. In the fifteenth century, as shown by a drawing from 1408, the castle belonged to the Ezzelini family. Today, while only the remains of the original construction remain, Castelat is a sought-after destination for excursions and trekking, alongside a restaurant.
Villa di Villa is a place of great charm, among the Venetian hills, with an ancient and important history and a natural beauty that enchants tourists from all over the world. There is no better way to discover the history and culture of this territory than to visit its places of interest and admire the natural beauties that surround it.
