Lonigo
Welcome to Lonigo, in Veneto!
Hello everyone! Today I want to talk to you about Lonigo, a beautiful Italian city located in the heart of the province of Vicenza, in the Veneto region. With its 15,771 inhabitants, Lonigo represents the most populous center in the Basso Vicentino area.
Physical geography
In Lonigo, there are many waterways that run through it, such as the guà, Togna, and rio Acquetta. The city is located on the border with the province of Verona and is situated in the Northeast of the Italian peninsula.
Origin of the name
The name Lonigo has ancient and fascinating origins. In ancient times, the city was called "Leonicus" and then "Lunico". It is said that the name derives from the Latin personal "Leo" with the addition of the suffix "-īcus" which indicates ownership.
History
Ancient Times and Middle Ages
Since prehistoric times, this area of the province of Vicenza has been inhabited by various groups of populations, such as the Paleoveneti. In the 2nd century BC, partly romanized Venetian populations settled in these territories. Also, from the inscriptions found in the localities of Casalino and Colombaron, it was understood that there were Roman settlers in the area. The first permanent population settlement should date back to the 2nd century BC. In the 9th century, due to the raids of the Magyars, the settlement between Santa Marina and San Tomà was destroyed. Part of the population took refuge in Bagnolo and part settled in the center of Lonigo. Here, a fortification was built near where the cathedral and Villa Mugna stand today. This fortification was probably not only a protective barrier but also a real castle built for the Malacappella.
The Castellazzo
The castle of the Malacappella, initially called "Calmano" (from ''callis magnus''), was called "Castellazzo" or "Castellaccio" in the Venetian era. It was of considerable size, had a large surrounding moat, a drawbridge, and many underground "canipae" capable of ensuring the subsistence for long periods for more than 3500 people. Although probably raised and reinforced in the Scaliger era, the castle must have included the two towers that still exist in front of and behind the Cathedral.
The name Lonigo
In the 10th century for the first time, the name Lonigo (in the Latin form of ''Leunicus'') is used in a notarial deed signed in Verona on November 2, 926. In the following years, there were numerous notarial deeds that mentioned Lonigo.
Conclusion
Lonigo is a city full of history and fascinating details that deserve to be explored. With its waterways, fortifications, and ancient inscriptions, Lonigo is a real gem set in the magnificent region of Veneto. I hope that after reading this article, you will want to visit Lonigo and discover for yourself all the wonders that this city has to offer!
