Fara Gera d'Adda
Fara Gera d'Adda: A small town with a great history
Welcome to Fara Gera d'Adda, a small town located in the province of Bergamo in Lombardy. With its 7,959 inhabitants, Fara Gera d'Adda is a place rich in history and tradition, where Lombard origins merge with medieval influences and contemporary culture.
Origins of the name
The name of the town clearly indicates Lombard origins, with the Fara being a group of families linked together by kinship ties and constituting the basic structure on which the social and military organization of the Lombard people was based. Gera d'Adda identifies the area of the plain where the town is located, characterized by the geological conformation of the territories between the Adda and Serio rivers.
History
The history of the town begins around the 6th century when the Lombards began to settle on the territory. In particular, Autari, Lombard king, favored the settlement of his own fara and built an important Arian cult site, the autarena Basilica. Later, the cult of Saint Fara was included during the Lombard period, creating a place of great importance in the geography of that time, named "Fara Autarena" in honor of its founder.
The Lombard domination lasted until the Franks invaded the territory in 774, when the Holy Roman Empire was established; from that moment, the town lost the role it had had since its birth. The emperors entrusted the feudal control of Fara to the bishop of Bergamo, who initiated a series of fortifications of the village, building protective walls and a castle with a moat.
The fortifications became useful in the following decades when conflicts broke out between the Farese feudal lords, supporting the Guelph faction, and the Milanese, supporting the Ghibelline faction. The latter aimed to extend their dominions beyond the Adda river, which had always been the border of their possessions, encountering the strong opposition of the bishop-count of Bergamo, who directly asked for help from Emperor Frederick Barbarossa. The latter reiterated his concession in an edict of 1156, although the people opposed this choice. Barbarossa then attacked the village in 1160, setting it on fire and destroying the castle.
However, the reconstruction of the town was immediate, and for more than a century, no other noteworthy episodes occurred. From the beginning of the 14th century, disputes for political dominance began again, with numerous changes of fronts, which seemed to end only with the beginning of the domination of the Milanese family of the Sforzas, who included the village in the "Marchesato di Caravaggio."
Places of interest
Santa Fara Basilica
One of the most interesting places in the town is the Basilica of Santa Fara, which stands on the remains of the previous autarena Basilica. The current construction dates back to the 12th century, but underwent numerous interventions over the centuries. The interior is rich in frescoes and baroque decorations.
Fara Castle
The Fara Castle represents another important place of interest of the town. Built in the 9th century by the bishop of Bergamo, it was destroyed by Frederick Barbarossa in 1160. It was rebuilt at the beginning of the 13th century, underwent numerous expansions, but was damaged by French troops in the 17th century. Today, the castle is in ruins, but its main tower is still visible.
Other
Among the other places of interest in the town, we can mention the Church of San Michele Arcangelo and the Sforza Castle, which now houses a library and a museum.
Annual events
Santa Fara Festival
One of the most important events in the town is the Santa Fara Festival, held every year at the end of September. The event includes a procession in which the statue of the Saint is carried around the town, followed by a series of cultural and gastronomic events.
San Michele Fair
Another important festival is the San Michele Fair, held at the end of September. The event includes the exhibition of typical local products, including cheeses and cured meats, and the sale of artisanal objects.
Typical cuisine
The cuisine of Fara Gera d'Adda is based on local products, including cheeses and cured meats, but also on the fish specialties of the Adda River. Among the typical dishes, we find polenta taragna, casoncelli, tripe, and rose cake, a dessert made of shortcrust pastry and jam.
How to reach Fara Gera d'Adda
The town is easily accessible by car, thanks to the nearby A4 and A35 highways. In addition, public transport, such as train (the nearest station is Treviglio) or bus (with several lines connecting Fara Gera d'Adda with Bergamo and Treviglio) can be used.
Do not miss the opportunity to visit Fara Gera d'Adda, a town rich in history, culture, and tradition, where you can admire the places of interest and taste the typical cuisine. We are waiting for you!
