Pedemonte
Introduction to Pedemonte
Hello! Today I will be talking about a small municipality located in the province of Vicenza in Veneto, called Pedemonte. With a population of only 704 inhabitants, it is one of the smallest municipalities in the area. Pedemonte is also called ''Dross'' or ''Tal'' in the Cimbrian language.
Physical Geography
The territory of Pedemonte extends over just over 1200 hectares, making it very small. The town is located on the left bank of the Astico river and borders the territory of Lastebasse. The steep and wooded slopes rise towards the plateaus of Lavarone and Luserna. Only along the stream between Giaconi and Carotte are there flat stretches that were once cultivated. The woods in the area are mainly made up of black hornbeam, sessile oak, beech, white fir, and red fir.
Origin of Names
The name Pedemonte derives from the municipality's location under the plateaus of Lavarone and Luserna. The Casotto fraction could derive from the "casotti", the valley floor huts used by farmers who lived on the mountain slopes for safety reasons. Alternatively, it could also derive from "Ca' Sotto", in contrast to the houses above. The Carotte fraction takes its name from "case rotte" (broken houses).
History
During the Middle Ages, a hospice for pilgrims and travelers was built in Brancafora, where the Astico valley road forked off towards the Caldonazzo and Levico basin in the upper Valsugana. The date of the hospice's foundation is not certain, but it is believed to have been created after Berengario's donation of 917 to the bishop of Padua. A second hypothesis indicates that the hospice originated from the Benedictine monks of the Basilica of the Saints Felice and Fortunato of Vicenza. Close to the Vicenza territory since the 8th century, they owned land in the Caltrano area, the ancient parish to which all the churches of the upper Vicentino converged. Later, next to the hospice, a church was built dedicated to "Santa Maria di Brancafora", whose devotion developed quickly from the beginning of the millennium, as evidenced by writings dating back to the 1300s.
Conclusions
If you want to visit a peaceful municipality immersed in nature, Pedemonte is an excellent choice. With its medieval history and ancient churches, it offers a unique experience for history and culture enthusiasts. And for hikers, there are many naturalistic routes to explore, all set in a breathtaking landscape.
