Sarcedo
Welcome to Sarcedo: the hill town in the province of Vicenza
Hello everyone! Today I will talk to you about Sarcedo, a wonderful hill town located in the province of Vicenza, in Veneto, Italy. With a population of 5,331 inhabitants, Sarcedo is a paradise for nature and history lovers, with a rich vegetation of forests, vineyards, and plowed fields and a history that dates back to prehistoric times.
Let's explore the physical geography of Sarcedo
The territory of Sarcedo is distributed in a northern hilly part and a southern flat part. The hilly area is bordered to the east by the Astico river and to the west by the Igna river, at the beginning of the Prealpi Vicentine. The altitude varies from 80 to 203 meters above sea level, with Cima Costa, Cima Colombara, and Monte Canaglia as the highest points. The main town has an altitude of 156 meters above sea level and offers a vast panorama that spans from Monte Grappa to Altopiano dei Sette Comuni, from Monte Summano to Novegno, to Pasubio, from Piccole Dolomiti to Lessini, from Colli Berici to Colli Euganei.
The climate of Sarcedo is humid continental, ideal for the lush vegetation of the area. The natural beauty of the landscape is complemented by the architecture of the villas surrounded by ornamental plants and the charm of a small part still kept as a forest dominated by black hornbeam, ash, and Robinia trees.
Let's discover the history of Sarcedo
The origin of the names
The name Sarcedo probably derives from the Latin word ''querquetum,'' meaning oak. Even today, the hilly area of Sarcedo is rich in forests and centuries-old oaks. The name first appeared in a document from 983, the ''Privilegium'' granted by the bishop of Vicenza, Rodolfo, to the Basilica dei Santi Felice e Fortunato in Vicenza.
Ancient times
The geographical position of Sarcedo favored human settlements already in prehistoric times, as evidenced by the findings in the Grotta dei Covoli of Neolithic pottery materials. An important discovery in the flat area is that of a late Roman necropolis, on display at the Archaeological Museum of Alto Vicentino in Santorso.
Middle Ages
Medieval documents related to Sarcedo speak simultaneously of a castle and a castellare, demonstrating that Sarcedo and Bodo were two distinct and autonomous centers from a civil and ecclesiastical point of view. With their own market and fair privileges, the two centers had two distinct castles.
The castle of Sarcedo
The castle of Sarcedo is mentioned in all imperial diplomas, from that of Otto III in the year 1000 to that of Otto IV in 1210. Despite being a bishop's castle, no trace of investments related to the castle itself can be found in the feudal books. This is probably due to the contrasts that arose between the Counts of Vicenza and the bishops of the city at the end of the 12th century, conflicts that culminated in the killing of Bishop Pistore in the year 1200.
Curious to discover more about the history and beauty of Sarcedo? Do not hesitate to visit this splendid town and immerse yourself in its nature and culture. You will be rewarded with one of the most beautiful experiences of your life!
