Palù

Discovering Palù di Giovo: a hamlet of Giovo

Hello everyone! Today I will talk about Palù di Giovo, a small hamlet located west of Verla, municipal capital of the scattered municipality of Giovo, in Trentino-Alto Adige. Here's what you need to know about this charming location!

Territory

The territory of Palù di Giovo is located 550 meters above sea level and is situated in a valley on the side of Mount Corona. To the south, east, and west, you can find the heights of Cort and Narödol. The small center is about 0.84 km from Giovo. If you love nature and the fresh mountain air, Palù is the right place for you!

Palù di Giovo: history, nature and traditions in Trentino.

Name Origins

The name of the hamlet is related to the marshy nature of the territory that characterized the area in the past. In fact, in the local dialect, "palù" means marsh.

History

The first historical sources related to Palù date back to 1174, a place indicated as "in Palude" in a document of the Tyrolean family of Appiano in favor of the Augustinian Collegiate Church of San Michele all'Adige. However, it is thought that the origins of the hamlet are even more ancient, as evidence of prehistoric settlements has been identified in the nearby areas.

Monuments and Places of Interest

Despite its small size, Palù di Giovo boasts some interesting monuments and places of interest to visit.

Religious architecture

Among the religious architecture, stands out the Church of San Valentino in Giovo and the Chapel of Maria Regina. They are very suggestive places of worship that are worth visiting.

Pèro Zèo

Pèro Zèo was a stonecutter born in Giovo in 1852 and died in Bolzano in 1908. He was also an artist of great creativity who expressed himself especially in white stone sculpture. One of his most famous works is the column of the Palù fountain, which features four human faces. The fountain and sculpture were also remembered by the poet Vittorio Felini in his dialectal poem entitled "From Trent to Ala and from the Ship to Masen".

Campionissimi Climb

The Campionissimi climb is a route of about 7 km that starts from San Michele all'Adige and arrives at Maso Roncador, in the municipality of Giovo. The name comes from cyclists and sports executives Enzo, Aldo, and Francesco Moser, as well as from their nephew Diego and Gilberto Simoni, all born in this hamlet or in the nearby village. If you love cycling, nature, and sports, do not miss the opportunity to take a bike tour on this beautiful road!

Infrastructure and Transport

Palù di Giovo is well connected to the surrounding areas thanks to Trentino Trasporti's bus service, which stops in two different positions: in Piazza Alpini and at the Sports Hall. You can easily move by bus to visit other nearby locations.

Economy

The economy of Palù di Giovo is mainly based on mountain agriculture. In particular, the parts of the territory at higher altitudes are cultivated with vines, while others, formerly used for grain and potato crops, have become orchards for apple production. The traditional economy is maintained thanks to the various "masi" (traditional rural houses) such as Sette Fontane, San Valentino Paierla, Toldin, and Spiazzol.

Festivals and Local Tradition

Every fourth week of July, the Quarta de Lui is held, a festival organized by the local Alpini section. It is a very felt tradition that celebrates the beauty and history of Palù di Giovo. The festival is an excellent opportunity to get to know the local population and admire the traditions of the place.

I hope this little virtual trip has aroused your curiosity, and you are eager to visit Palù di Giovo as soon as possible!

Luca Bianchi
Wrote by Luca Bianchi
Updated Saturday, Jul 23, 2022