Polverara
The Story of Polverara
Polverara is a municipality in the province of Padua, located in the Veneto region. Its name refers to the presence of gunpowder in the area in the past. The history of Polverara dates back to 1130, when the Diocese of Padua confirmed the ownership of the church of San Fidenzio to the Padua Cathedral. According to legend, the church was erected on the spot where the body of San Fidenzio was found, indicated by the then bishop Bellino following a vision.
The presence of three monasteries in the territory since the year 1000 testifies to the importance of monasticism in the vicinity of Padua. In 1276, Polverara became podestaria and began a period of wars, devastations and damages caused by the free grazing of the flocks of nearby shepherds in private properties. Furthermore, the area has often been hit by floods and storms, including the flood of 1968 that hit Via Riviera.
The Symbols of Polverara
The municipal coat of arms and the gonfalone were granted in 1953 by the President of the Republic. The gonfalone is a white-colored banner.
Monuments and Places of Interest
Monument to the Fallen
Stefano Baschierato created the Monument to the Fallen, located in the main square of Polverara, dedicated to the fallen of all wars.
Via Annia
Via Annia is an ancient Roman road that connected Adria to Aqui-leia, passing through Padua. Studies carried out on the territory show that Via Annia passed through Polverara following the direction of the current Via Trieste and Via Punta.
Civil Architecture
Colombara Tower
The only remaining structure of the three monasteries is the Colombara tower of the Olivetan monastery. The construction is detached from the main body of the monastery and includes 52 rooms on two floors, a church, and an enclosed land. Until the Renaissance period, the monastery played a primary role in central-northern Italy, being connected with other monasteries and abbots of the same order who were residing in Tuscany.
The Colombara Tower was used as a lookout and defense post during frequent barbarian raids. It exploited its position near the river, which was an important communication route for trade and movements of the time. In 1770, the Serenissima suppressed both the monastery and the church, which were purchased the following year by the Venetian noble Andrea Quercini del Zanne.
The Colombara Tower of Polverara is an important rural-religious building heritage for the territory, a symbol of Polverara's historical past and the secular community.
In summary, Polverara is a village full of history and culture, symbols of a rich and interesting past. The Colombara Tower and the Monument to the Fallen are two of the main tourist attractions of the municipality.
