Levada
Discover Levada, a hamlet of the municipality of Ponte di Piave
Welcome to Levada, a hamlet located in the municipality of Ponte di Piave, in the province of Treviso. Let's discover together the history and monuments of this small village.
Physical geography
Levada is located north of the municipal capital, on the border with Rustignè di Oderzo, near the Bidoggiata canal. The area is characterized by ancient settlements on raised land, created to avoid frequent floods.
Origins of the name
There have been two theories about the origin of the name Levada. The first one claims that it derives from the expression "raised land," referring to the historical settlements on raised land to avoid floods. The second theory has to do with the existence of a Roman road that was elevated compared to the surrounding territory.
History
The proximity to Oderzo and various archaeological findings indicate the presence of Roman settlements. However, no evidence of the oldest Paleoveneti civilization has been found.
The fall of the Roman Empire and the decline of Oderzo ended the political and social organization of the area, and it was only in the 10th century that power was restored to the Church. Levada was also an area of strategic importance thanks to a fortress belonging to the Strasso family, documented since the 12th century.
The Strasso family began to decline starting in 1318 when Cortesino, captain of the fortress of Cornuda, was imprisoned by Cangrande della Scala and released for a large ransom. To pay the large sum, the family was forced to sell several assets, including possibly a part of the castle. The building was probably destroyed in the 15th century by the Serenissima, to reduce the defensive system of the mainland.
Monuments and places of interest
Parish Church
The parish church of Levada, dedicated to San Bonifacio, was managed by the bishop of Treviso. The first mentions of the church date back to the 13th century when the care of souls was entrusted to the Negrisia parish. Only from the 16th century, the chapel was managed by its own parish priest who resided in Ponte di Piave until the 17th century with the canonical construction.
Strasso Fortress
The Strasso fortress, dating back to the 12th century, was located on a hill and consisted of two towers, walls, and ditches fed by the Bidoggia canal. It was destroyed in the 15th century by the Serenissima, but the raised land on which it rested is still visible.
Conclusion
Levada is an interesting village to visit, with its ancient history and its significant monuments. The parish church dedicated to San Bonifacio and the Strasso fortress are just some of the places of interest that deserve to be discovered. Come and visit us and discover more about this fascinating hamlet of the municipality of Ponte di Piave.
