Foppolo
Discovering Foppolo
Hello friends, today I want to talk to you about Foppolo, a small village with only 172 inhabitants located in the province of Bergamo, in Lombardy. The village is located in Alta Val Brembana, about 58 km north of Bergamo.
The history of Foppolo
The origins of Foppolo are still uncertain, but it is believed that the Romans arrived in this place to exploit the Cadelle mines. Others instead argue that the first inhabitants were cattle ranchers who brought their herds to the pastures of Foppolo during the summer months. The town takes its name from the shape of the land, which has narrow valleys that look like cavities in the ground, or from "foppa" which means small basin in dialect. There are not many documents attesting to the presence of Foppolo, but the statute of 1331 shows that the village was part of an administrative unit with the neighboring Carona, Valleve, Cambrembo and Fondra.
Life in Foppolo during the Middle Ages
During the Middle Ages, Foppolo was under the control of the Ghibelline Visconti family, who allowed anyone belonging to the faction to kill a Guelf. Despite this, there are no documents regarding battles that took place in the territory. During this period, moreover, the iron mining industry developed and the territory was partially deforested to favor this activity.
The administrative autonomy of Foppolo
In the sixteenth century, Foppolo became part of the Republic of Venice and obtained administrative autonomy. It was included in the administrative district of Valle Brembana Oltre la Goggia, together with the other municipalities of the upper valley with headquarters in Valnegra, enjoying tax breaks and numerous privileges.
The religious life of Foppolo
The life of the village also revolved around two confraternities of the Catholic Church: that of the S.S. Sacramento, erected by the Rev. Visitor of S. Carlo during his visit, and the other of the S. Rosary. In 1481 the Church of Santa Maria Assunta was founded, which became parish with three altars.
Conclusions
Here is a small presentation of Foppolo and its uncertain but fascinating history. Despite the passing of time, this rural village continues to have its charm with the surrounding nature and simple life. If you happen to be in the vicinity of Bergamo, I recommend you to visit Foppolo and breathe the atmosphere of this enchanting place.
