Selvazzano Dentro
Welcome to Selvazzano Dentro!
If you are looking for a quiet place, surrounded by greenery and with an ancient history, Selvazzano Dentro is the right choice. Located just 7 km from Padua, this town in the province of Padua has about 23,005 inhabitants and offers a wide variety of tourist attractions. Let's discover the physical geography and history of Selvazzano Dentro together.
Physical geography
The location of Selvazzano Dentro is truly unique: in fact, the town is divided into two parts by the Bacchiglione river. The right side of the river is the capital of the town and the adjective "Dentro" refers to the geographical location. The municipal territory extends west of Padua and is mainly made up of an alluvial plain. There are also two important hills: Monteccia (44 m) and Mottolo (26 m), which are the extreme northeastern foothills of the Euganean Hills system.
History
Prehistory and Roman age
The first human settlements date back to the late Bronze Age (XVII century BC) when ancient Venetian populations known as Naliniani settled in the area. During Roman times, a first phase of transformation of the territory began. Two important road axes were created, the Montanara road and the Pelosa road, which allowed Padua to be connected to the Euganean Hills and Vicenza, making them accessible during the frequent floods of the Bacchiglione river. The toponym Selvazzano probably derives from ''Salvitius'', a beneficiary of an agricultural property, while the name Selvazzano as "forest of Giano" is just a suggestion.
Middle Ages
The territory of Selvazzano developed considerably in the 11th century and then the new settlements of Selvazzano, Tencarola, Montecchia, Canton, Vegri della Barca, and Caselle were formed, which gave rise to as many rural municipalities. In the municipal territory also rose the Benedictine monastery of Santa Maria di Quarta, of which a portion of the apse of the now disappeared church still exists. During the Middle Ages, the area was contested by local religious and feudal lords such as the Maltraversi, the Capodilista, the Da Selvazzano, and the Scrovegni.
Symbols
The symbol of Selvazzano is the municipal coat of arms which represents golden wheat on the plain and a bee landing on it. The choice of wheat symbolizes the fertility of the land, while the bee is recognized as a symbol of industriousness and community initiative. The municipality also has a flag which is composed of a white half and a green half with the center of the municipal coat of arms.
What to visit
If you visit Selvazzano, you can't miss Villa dei Vescovi, one of the most beautiful Venetian patrician villas of the sixteenth century. The architectural complex, which is located in the homonymous hamlet, includes a palace with an Italian garden, a rustic courtyard, and an olive grove. Equally interesting is the participation in the Festival of the Euganean Hills, whose 42nd edition was held in the Garden of Villa dei Vescovi in 2021.
The hinterland of the town also offers a series of small treasures, such as the Monastery of Santa Maria di Quarta and the Church of Santa Maria Assunta in Canton. The public park of Bacchiglione and Boschetto del Breonio are other two natural attractions that are worth a visit.
Conclusion
Selvazzano Dentro, thanks to its privileged position, the beauty of its historic villas, its natural landscapes, and its important role in the history of the territory, represents an ideal destination to spend a pleasant day discovering wonderful places. We recommend planning a visit and discovering the beauty of this town in the province of Padua that will not disappoint you.
