Vedeseta
Discovering Vedeseta: a historical gem surrounded by the nature of Val Taleggio
Vedeseta is a small municipality of only 184 inhabitants located in the province of Bergamo, in Lombardy. Immersed in the unspoiled nature of Val Taleggio, the territory of Vedeseta fascinates with its vast meadows, woods and fruit trees that surround it. In this text, we will discover the physical geography that characterizes Vedeseta, its history, and the evidence that makes it a real historical gem.
Physical Geography
Territory
The municipality of Vedeseta is located on the northern side of Val Taleggio, on the border with nearby Valsassina. Numerous streams and brooks cross the municipality before flowing into Enna, the main watercourse of the valley.
Morphology
The territory of Vedeseta is characterized by a morphology typical of the area, made up of hills and mountains that alternate with green meadows and woods of beech, fir, and larch trees. Chignolo and Bordesigli are the main streams that cross the municipality. It is about 41 kilometers from the provincial capital of Bergamo and 90 kilometers from the regional capital of Lombardy, Milan.
History
Origins
The historical roots of Vedeseta date back to a period no earlier than the 11th century. The first written evidence of Val Taleggio and Vedeseta get lost in the mists of time. Some hypotheses suggest that the first inhabitants of this valley might have been shepherds who spent the summer in the numerous pastures offered by the area.
Middle Ages
Val Taleggio became a fiefdom of the bishop of Milan in the time of Charlemagne. From then on, Vedeseta remained under the influence of the diocese of Milan until 1995 when Cardinal Martini and Bishop Amadei signed an agreement for its transfer to the diocese of Bergamo.
In 1237, Milan in retreat sought refuge in nearby Valsassina after the hard defeat suffered in the battle of Cortenova against Frederick II of Swabia. There, at the Santa Maria hospital, they found refuge thanks to Pagano della Torre (13th century), to whom the lordship of the Valleys Val Taleggio and Valle Averara was entrusted as a reward.
The battles for the possession of the valley led the inhabitants of the municipalities of Taleggio and Vedeseta to side with two different factions: Taleggio on the Guelph and Ghibelline side, in support of the Della Torre family, and Vedeseta on the Ghibelline side, in support of the Archbishop of Milan.
This division led the inhabitants of the valley to build castles and tower houses. In Vedeseta, the most famous tower was probably located where the Parrocchiale now stands, built in the 14th century by Orlando Arrigoni on a corner of his house and called "Torre d'Orlando."
Peace was signed in 1395 but the clashes resumed at the beginning of the 15th century when the Republic of Venice took possession of the province of Bergamo, but Vedeseta remained nevertheless a territory of the Duchy of Milan.
Conclusions
Vedeseta is a small municipality characterized by a unique and unspoiled beauty. Immersed in the nature of Val Taleggio and made fascinating by its ancient history, this small town represents a real historical gem. Its medieval tower and the Parrocchiale church, both testimonies of a long and complex history, represent an ideal destination for tourists who love tranquility and unspoiled nature.
