Leguzzano
A Friendly Tour of the History and Places of San Vito di Leguzzano
Welcome to San Vito di Leguzzano, a municipality located in the province of Vicenza, in Veneto. With its 3,610 inhabitants, the town is situated at 158 meters above sea level, and the beautiful territory is crossed by the streams Refosco and Livergon, which merge to give life to the Giara stream. In this friendly tour, we will discover the history, physical geography, and places of interest of San Vito di Leguzzano.
Physical Geography
San Vito di Leguzzano is not part of the mountain community and is in the Brenta-Bacchiglione watershed sub-basin of Leogra-Timonchio. The city is crossed by the streams Refosco and Livergon, which merge to form the Giara stream. Moreover, the territory of San Vito consists of various valleys, such as Valle Pra Longhi, Valle dell'Orco, Valle Bisele, Valle Nogara, Valle della Volpe, and Valle della Guizza.
History
Toponymy
The toponym "San Vito" derives from the Benedictine saint of devotion, considering that, for centuries, the municipality belonged to these monks. "Mons luguzani" was the name of the mountain overlooking San Vito in the 14th and 15th centuries.
Ancient Times
In San Vito, you can still see the traces of a Roman centuriation.
Middle Ages
During the Early Middle Ages, the Benedictines of the Basilica of Saints Felice and Fortunato in Vicenza colonized the mountainous part of San Vito. In 1147, Abbot Antonio di San Felice renewed the investiture of the vineyards owned by the monastery in San Vito. In the 14th century, as in many other localities in the area, a Battuti was also established in San Vito.
Modern Times
During the Scaligeri domination, the territory of San Vito was subjected to the Vicariati civili di Schio and remained so until the end of the 18th century.
Contemporary Times
Monuments and Places of Interest
The Church of Saints Vito, Modesto, and Crescenzia is dedicated to the saints Vito, Modesto, and Crescenzia and has a Benedictine origin. The 16th-century Church of San Valentino, in via Gonzi in Leguzzano, contains a precious marble altar, the work of the local stonemason Bartolomeo Mercante, dating back to 1579. As a civil building, Villa Almerico Dalla Vecchia Novello is one of the most important buildings in San Vito, located in the historical center.
Conclusion
In this friendly tour through the history and places of San Vito di Leguzzano, we have discovered the beauty of the physical geography of the municipality and its connection with the Benedictine monks of the past, the trace of the Roman centuriation, and the artistic and historical importance of the Church of Saints Vito, Modesto, and Crescenzia. We hope that your visit to San Vito di Leguzzano has made you fall in love with this beautiful municipality.
