Gorle
Exploring Gorle: A Brief History and its Geography
Hello everyone! Today I will talk about Gorle, an Italian town located in the province of Bergamo, in Lombardy. Its population has about 6577 inhabitants and it is situated on the western bank of the Serio River, which marks its border and borders on the west with Bergamo. But let's see together what the origins of this town and its history are!
History
Roman Age
Gorle has remote origins dating back to the Roman Empire period. In this era, numerous tombs and human burials were found. The bridge over the Serio River, called ''Ponte Marzio'', which connects Gorle with Scanzorosciate, dates back to this period. The name comes from the fourth King of Rome Anco Marzio. However, the currently trafficable bridge is a remaking of the previous one, of which only the foundations remain.
Medieval and Renaissance Ages
In subsequent eras, a camp (''Castrum'') and a villa were built, confirming the importance of the place, so much so that even the bishop of Bergamo had vast land holdings in the area. Gorle was first mentioned in a written document in 879.
During the medieval period, the town saw the construction of numerous buildings, including a castle. The building dates back to around the 11th century when it was built as a collective fortification, the work of several landowners in the area. Later, it passed into the hands of the bishops, who placed one of their residences there.
The testimony of the captain of the Serenissima, Giovanni da Lezze, in a report to the Venetian Senate, gives us a brief description of the bishop's castle in Gorle as it was in 1596. During the sixteenth century, one wing of the castle was rebuilt by Bishop Gerolamo Regazzoni, who had a villa of considerable interest built there, completed in 1588, in the undergrounds of which some Roman tombs were found. Following Napoleon's confiscations, the villa and the bishop's estates were purchased by the Zavaritt family, rich silk merchants from Switzerland, who still own it.
Many ancient bishopric coats of arms already placed in the castle were reused during the nineteenth century to decorate a nearby tower restored in a romantic style as garden furniture of the destroyed Calepio-Terzi villa. In the village, one can admire a tower that, placed in full view in the middle of the current road network, was inserted into the late-medieval defensive context.
Physical Geography
Territory
The territory of Gorle has recently undergone remarkable building works, so much so that new districts have been built until they border the surrounding towns. However, in the northern part of the town, located upstream of the historic ''Ponte Marzio'', there are areas where green expanses are still protected by the North Serio Park.
Gorle is a very interesting town from a geographical and landscape standpoint. The green expanses and the Serio River make the town a very pleasant place to visit, and suitable for those who love outdoor activities. Additionally, the proximity to Bergamo makes the trip even more interesting, as you can spend a day visiting two cities in Lombardy.
In conclusion, Gorle is a very interesting town worth visiting. Its history, the presence of the castle, and the fact that it has been an important reference point for the bishopric of Bergamo, make it a town of great historical and artistic value. In addition, the presence of numerous parks and green expanses makes the place even more beautiful and pleasant to visit. If you are looking for a peaceful place away from the city, Gorle might be the right place for you!
