Gambellara
Gambellara, the city of fine wines in the province of Vicenza
Surrounded by the hilly beauty of Veneto, Gambellara is a municipality in the province of Vicenza that is home to just over 3000 inhabitants. It is famous for the production of fine wines, including the Recioto di Gambellara and the Gambellara Vin Santo. The city's heritage includes the three hamlets of Sarmazza, Torri di Confine, and Sorio di Gambellara, which are particularly characteristic areas worth visiting.
History
Sorio, one of the hamlets of Gambellara, was the scenic location where the Battle of Sorio took place on April 8th, 1848, between the Free Corps of the Republic of San Marco and the Austrian Empire during the First War of Independence. This historical event left an indelible mark and was celebrated annually for many years.
Monuments and places of interest
The Church of San Pietro Apostolo, located in the center of Gambellara, is one of the most characteristic monuments of the city. Renowned for its architectural style, the church was built in the 18th century and is equipped with external stairs that lead to its main entrances. Another noteworthy monument is the Villa Thiene, a historic 16th-century building.
The Basalt Colonaria of Gambellara site, another space of Italy's geological heritage with immeasurable cultural value, is what deserves to be preserved and enhanced. This incredible natural heritage was formed about 50 million years ago and features hexagonal prismatic columns that already gave it great prestige in the past. Today, due to post-war extraction activities, only the spectacular original basaltic facade has been preserved, representing a testimony to the incredible geological importance of the site.
Society
Demographic evolution
The Municipality of Gambellara, with its 3352 inhabitants, has experienced a slow population increase that had periods of stagnation between the 1950s and 1980s.
Culture
Events
Throughout the year, three main feasts are held. The most important rural feast in Gambellara is the Grape and Recioto Festival, which this year reaches its 92nd edition. This tradition is kept by the inhabitants of Gambellara with pride, who have always accompanied the public in the tasting of local wines since the first edition. The festival takes place on the fourth Sunday of September every year, while the feast of the patron saint, San Marco, is celebrated on April 25th. On the occasion of Epiphany, the lighting of the so-called "Bujelo," the bonfire of the Befana, is also celebrated.
Anthropical geography
Hamlets
The Municipality of Gambellara consists of three hamlets: Sarmazza, Torri di Confine, and Sorio di Gambellara. Sarmazza, located on the border between Gambellara and Monteforte d'Alpone, is situated in an area of great scenic interest. Sorio di Gambellara is instead the symbolic hamlet of the city, where the Church of San Marco is located and where the Battle of Sorio was fought in 1848. Torri di Confine, the last hamlet, is located on the border with the Municipality of Lonigo.
Administration
Twinning
There are currently no twinning partnerships between Gambellara and any cities in other countries.
Image gallery
The photographic gallery of images taken in the city of Gambellara focuses on Sorio, its Church, and the extraordinary natural beauty that surrounds it. The Church of Sarmazza, splendid example of ancient architecture, and the other peculiarities of this hamlet.
Notes
Enthusiasts of wine culture regularly attend the recent editions of the Grape and Recioto Festival, an event that allows them to discover the great variety of wines in the city.
External links
The Municipality of Gambellara's website provides up-to-date information on the most significant events, cultural activities, and more. Another opportunity to discover all the extraordinary beauties of the city and to get to know its products of excellence, such as Recioto and Gambellara Vin Santo.
