San Giorgio della Richinvelda
San Giorgio della Richinvelda: a commune in the heart of Friuli-Venezia Giulia
San Giorgio della Richinvelda is a commune in the heart of Friuli-Venezia Giulia, with a population of around 4,750 inhabitants. The city is surrounded by the Tagliamento River to the east and the Meduna to the west, creating a protected natural area rich in flora and fauna. In this article, we will discover the history of the commune, its symbols, monuments, and places of interest, society, and its anthropic geography.
History
San Giorgio della Richinvelda has an ancient history dating back to the 10th century. Its pieve, dedicated to Saint George the Martyr, was founded during this period. The commune is also home to a very important sacred site for Friuli, called "la Richinvelda", where the then Patriarch of Aquileia Bertrando di Aquileia was assassinated. Along the provincial road that leads from Spilimbergo to Zoppola, between San Giorgio della Richinvelda and Rauscedo, is the church of San Nicolò, where the Patriarch died on June 6, 1350. The church houses an altar by Giovanni Antonio Pilacorte, and next to it, in the exact spot where he was fatally wounded, there is a monument erected in his memory.
The communal coat of arms, granted by the President of the Republic's decree on January 10, 1985, reproduces the image of Saint George on a white field, on horseback, piercing the dragon with a lance, on a green grassy plain. The gonfalon is a blue flag.
Monuments and Places of Interest
The commune of San Giorgio della Richinvelda has several monuments and places of interest. The Church of San Giorgio Martire dates back to the end of the 19th century, but its origins are much older. The Church of San Leonardo, located in Provesano, houses frescoes by Gianfrancesco da Tolmezzo.
The village of Rauscedo is famous for its production of vine cuttings, while Pozzo hosts the Museum of Rural Civilization, with a unique collection of instruments typical of the rural community.
Society
In San Giorgio della Richinvelda, Friulian is spoken, which falls under the western Friulian variant. For this reason, the commune is included in the list of Italian communes of Friulian language for the application of Law 482/99, Regional Law 15/96, and Regional Law 29/2007. Alongside Friulian, the population also uses the Italian language.
Anthropological Geography
The commune is divided into several villages, including Rauscedo and Pozzo. Rauscedo is famous for its production of vine cuttings, while Pozzo hosts the Museum of Rural Civilization.
Administration
The administration of the commune consists of the mayor and the communal council. Currently, the mayor is Fabio Visentin.
Sports
San Giorgio della Richinvelda hosted the International Tournament of Friendship in the summer of 2003. The tournament saw the participation of many important youth teams, including Parma, Juventus, and Barcelona, the latter showcasing the 16-year-old Lionel Messi.
Conclusion
San Giorgio della Richinvelda is a commune in Friuli-Venezia Giulia with an ancient history and important monuments. The commune is a place of great interest for its natural beauty and artisanal culture. Its production of vine cuttings and the Museum of Rural Civilization in Pozzo make it a place of great interest for history and culture enthusiasts.
