Torrebelvicino
Discovering Torrebelvicino: the commune with Roman origins
Hello friends, today I want to talk to you about Torrebelvicino, a small commune in the province of Vicenza located in Val Leogra. The name of the town derives from the original Roman watchtower that was built here, while the suffix "Belvicino" has a less certain origin, but is thought to derive from the language of the Rhaeti and mean "sacred place near a lush water basin".
Exploring the physical geography of Torrebelvicino
The commune of Torrebelvicino is located in the lower and flat part of Val Leogra, crossed by the river of the same name and delimited to the northeast by Mount Enna and to the southwest by Mount Cengio. The surrounding hills offer a beautiful natural scenery with a panoramic view of the valley.
The history of Torrebelvicino: from Roman origins to the Middle Ages
The territory of Torrebelvicino has a history dating back to Roman times, when the Romans built a watchtower and signaling point, connected to the summit of Mount Castello and other points located in panoramic positions along the valley. Later, the area did not yet know stable civil settlements until the Middle Ages, when Torrebelvicino became the seat of a "curtis" with the original name of "Sicinum" or "vicinum". In 910, to cope with the raids of the Hungarians, the emperor Berengar of Friuli donated to the bishop of Vicenza Vitale three "curtes" of Alto Vicentino, including Torrebelvicino (known as "Maladum"). The bishop fortified the territory by building a series of castles to defend the villages and countryside, including the castle of Belvicino, built on the cone-shaped hill.
The toponyms of Torrebelvicino
The suffix "-belvicino" could come from the language of the Rhaeti, while the toponym "Pieve" dates back to the Middle Ages and concerns the church to which all the inhabitants of Val Leogra and the plain in front of it referred. The inhabitants of Torrebelvicino are called turritani, a term deriving from the Roman prefix "Torre."
Conclusions
Torrebelvicino is a commune that still preserves many traces of its ancient history. The presence of castles and Roman remains attracts tourists from all over the world, eager to discover the beauty of this area of Veneto. If you are looking for a quiet place immersed in nature to relax, Torrebelvicino is the right place for you.
