San Genesio Atesino
San Genesio Atesino: a municipality on the South Tyrolean mountains
San Genesio Atesino, also known as Jenesien in German, is a municipality of just under 3,100 inhabitants located in the province of Bolzano, in Trentino-Alto Adige, Italy. The locality is situated on the Salto plateau, which overlooks the city of Bolzano and is connected to it by a provincial road and the San Genesio cable car.
Physical geography
San Genesio Atesino is located on the border between the Sarentino Valley and the Adige Valley. The area is very mountainous and offers breathtaking views, ideal for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts.
History
The history of the municipality of San Genesio Atesino is closely linked to that of Bolzano, the largest and most important city in the province. It seems that the San Genesio market, dating back to 1208, played a fundamental role in the development of the locality, which developed in altitude thanks to the presence of this market.
Toponymy and coat of arms
The name San Genesio Atesino derives from the saint to whom the village church is dedicated. The toponym has been attested since 1186. The name of the Avigna hamlet, on the other hand, would derive from the Latin "a via". The coat of arms of the municipality is divided with five piles that come out of the diagonal division, on a silver background. It is the emblem of the lords of Goldegg who lived in the village from 1190 to 1473 and was adopted in 1966.
Monuments and places of interest
San Genesio Atesino boasts numerous tourist attractions, including:
Religious architecture
The church of San Sebastiano, located in the hamlet of Valas, and the church of San Nicolò, located in the hamlet of Avigna.
Society
Demographic evolution
As of December 31, 2020, the population of San Genesio Atesino amounted to 3,103 inhabitants, divided among the different hamlets as follows: San Genesio (Jenesien) with 1,885 inhabitants, Avigna (Afing) with 565 inhabitants, Valas (Flaas) with 289 inhabitants, Cologna (Glaning) with 253 inhabitants, and Montoppio (Nobls) with 111 inhabitants.
Linguistic subdivision
The majority of the inhabitants of San Genesio Atesino are German-speaking.
Economy
Tourism
San Genesio Atesino is crossed by the European E5 Trail, a famous crossing that connects Lake Constance to the Adriatic Sea. The area offers numerous activities for tourists, including hiking or cycling, winter sports, visits to museums or simply moments of relaxation.
Administration
The municipality of San Genesio Atesino is administered by Mayor Andreas Strobl and its city council.
Bibliography
For those interested in the history and culture of the municipality of San Genesio Atesino, we recommend reading some interesting volumes, including:
- Karl Finsterwalder, Sprache und Geschichte in den Ortsnamen am Tschögglberg, in Der Schlern, 47, 1973, pp. 379-386.
- Werner Tscholl, Der Tschögglberg - bevölkerungs- und wirtschaftsgeographische Untersuchungen, Innsbruck, Università degli Studi, 1997.
- Friedrich Plattner, Geschichte der Plattner am Tschögglberg, Inzing, 2001.
- Jenesien am Tschögglberg: Landschaft - Geschichte - Kultur - Kunst, 2 voll., Lana, Tappeiner, 2012.
San Genesio Atesino is an interesting municipality from a historical and cultural point of view, but also for its mountainous location and the beauty of the landscapes it offers. If you have the opportunity, do not hesitate to visit it!
