Viadana
Viadana, the gem of the Po Valley
Viadana, also known as "Viadàna" in Casalasco-Viadanese dialect, is a municipality with almost 20,000 inhabitants located in the province of Mantua, Lombardy. With its town center situated on the left bank of the Po River, Viadana seems to derive from the name "Vitaliana". The territory is completely flat and is bordered by the Po River along its entire southern border and the Oglio River for much of its northern border.
Viadana, the largest city in the province of Mantua
With its 102.50 km² of surface area, Viadana is the largest municipality in the province of Mantua. The territory is part of the geographical area called the Po Valley and is located near the anticline of Piadena, considered by some authors to be the epicenter of the violent earthquake of January 3, 1117, which struck the Po Valley. The climate in Viadana is very humid with hot and muggy summers and cold winters with rigid temperatures.
A city with ancient history
The presence of humans in the islands formed by the Po River and its tributaries, Adda and Oglio, has recently been confirmed by numerous findings of artifacts attributed to the Neolithic period, dating back to around the 4th millennium BC, and kept in the museum dedicated to its founder, Monsignor Antonio Parazzi. The territory of Viadana still preserves many testimonies of the ancient Roman centuriation, such as the same orientation of the countryside.
The Cavalcabò, Viadana (imperial fief) of the place, whose jurisdiction had been conferred by Emperor Frederick I on July 30, 1158. In the fourteenth century, it reached administrative unity. In 1415, following the conquest of Gian Francesco Gonzaga, Viadana definitively joined Mantua, except for a brief period in the nineteenth century thanks to the treaty signed by Pavesino Avigni. Over time, there were also erosion and flooding caused by the Po and Oglio rivers, which made entire villas disappear, until reaching the current territorial structure protected by powerful embankments, even recently strengthened.
Viadana and the rivers
The rivers, besides being a danger for the city, were also communication and trade routes developed especially along the Po axis up to Venice. So much was trade with Venice, to the point that Viadana was the seat of a Vice Admiral appointed by Mantua. An area, once owned by the Del Bon family, which owned properties and commercial and industrial activities in the lagoon city, still bears the name of Villa del Veneziano.
In summary, Viadana is a city famous for its vast flat and hilly areas, bordered by the Po and Oglio rivers. The city has a long history dating back to the Roman civilization and has faced many challenges, including the earthquake that occurred near the city in 1117. Nevertheless, Viadana is a city that has managed to face difficulties and has developed thanks to trade with Venice. Viadana is a city worth visiting to enjoy the beauty of its landscapes and its historical heritage.
