Monticelli D'oglio
A Dive into the History and Geography of Monticelli d'Oglio
If you are a history buff and nature lover, Monticelli d'Oglio is the perfect destination for your next trip. This hamlet of Verolavecchia, in the province of Brescia, sits on a hill overlooking the Oglio River, just a few kilometers from the town of Quinzano d'Oglio.
Hydrography
The territory of Monticelli is crossed by the Roggia Provaglia, a canal built in the 15th century by the noble Provaglio family to irrigate the feudal lands of Monticelli. Today, the canal marks the border between Monticelli d'Oglio and Quinzano d'Oglio and contributes to creating an enchanting landscape. Moreover, the presence of the Arrivabene canal and the Mulino canal makes this place even more suggestive.
History
Traces of human settlements dating back to the Bronze Age have been found in the territory of Monticelli d'Oglio, confirmed by numerous archaeological finds near the river and in the adjacent hills. The first document attesting to the existence of a settlement near Monticelli d'Oglio dates back to 1022 when Emperor Henry II the Saint placed under his protection Gonfalda, a widow with her son Ruggero and all their properties located in Monticelli, Bergamo, and Lodi.
Ruggero, who professed the law and Lombard nation, sold both the castle and the church of Monticelli in 1037. This territory then passed into different hands, until it came into possession of the Griffi family, who ruled it until 1411. In that year, Pandolfo III Malatesta sold the fiefdom and the assets of the Griffi to the noble Provaglio family, his allies. They remained the owners of Monticelli for over four centuries.
In 1815, one of the first farming agreements in the province of Brescia was signed, while in 1842, the Austrian authorities decided to merge Monticelli with the town of Verolavecchia, against the will of the population and local nobles.
Noble Ownership
Monticelli has been ruled over the centuries by different noble families, including the Provaglio family, counts of Monticelli and Meduna, who built the Greppi-Gironda Palace. Built around 1650, this palace then passed into the ownership of the Greppi and Count Gironda, whose name it still bears.
During the Napoleonic era, the Provaglio family owned 5873.98 pertiche (land measurement unit). In the Austrian era, the noble properties of Monticelli passed to the Martinengo counts, with a surface of 1922.28 pertiche, and to Count Johann Emanuel Joseph von Khevenhüller-Metsch, who owned 5758.42 pertiche of land.
Monuments and Places of Interest
Monticelli d'Oglio is rich in civil architecture of great historical and cultural interest. One of the places to visit is undoubtedly the mill, located east of the town center and overlooking the Via Francigena. Built in the 15th century, the mill has undergone numerous interventions over the centuries that have led to its neo-gothic style.
No less interesting is the Filanda, built in the 19th century. Located east of the current Gironda palace, this filanda was also administered by the Borromeo family of Milan for a period before being abandoned in the twentieth century.
A visit to Monticelli d'Oglio cannot ignore the Greppi-Gironda Palace, formerly Provaglio, which has proven to be a real architectural gem. Built around 1650 by the Provaglio family, this palace tells the story of the noble families that ruled Monticelli d'Oglio.
In conclusion, Monticelli d'Oglio is a charming place where nature and history come together in an unforgettable experience.
