Vigolo Vattaro
A Description of Vigolo Vattaro
Hello everyone! Today I'll be telling you about Vigolo Vattaro, a beautiful hamlet of the Altopiano della Vigolana in the autonomous province of Trento. This area is full of history and culture that deserve to be shared, so join me on this journey to discover this town of 2289 inhabitants!
History
Vigolo Vattaro is a very ancient human settlement located on the Roman road that connects Valsugana with the Adige Valley. In the past, it was a crossroads of important trade routes, but it never suffered Cimbrian colonization. The term "Vattaro" likely derives from the Lombard terms "Wahtari" meaning lookout, later Latinized as Vactarius.
During the Middle Ages, the town was defended by the Castle of Vigolo and the Mattarello Tower but unfortunately, it suffered several times from the negative consequences of army passages and experienced the sack of the Trentinian insurgents. During the May 1916 offensive, the town was the headquarters of the Austro-Hungarian army command.
Physical Geography
The hamlet is located on the Altopiano della Vigolana, a few kilometers from Trento and Lake Caldonazzo. The upper part of the town, called "Sovich," is situated at an altitude of 736 meters, while the lower part, called "Marzon," is located at 705 meters above sea level. The valley area of the town is called "Mala" and was once the place of workshops and mills.
Monuments and Places of Interest
Vigolo Vattaro has many monuments and places of interest to visit. One of the most beautiful is the Church of San Giorgio, which has a paleo-Christian bas-relief depicting an olive tree with birds. According to scientists who have studied it, this work predates the 7th century. The church is first mentioned in the 13th century, but between 1538 and 1558, it was rebuilt and today is characterized by the Gothic apse with ribbed vaults. In 1852, a new classic rhythm nave was created, and the marble high altar was built, dating back to 1750. Near the altar, you can admire a baroque epigraph with the coat of arms of the Tabarelli de Fatis, lords of the castle who had the right of patronage of the church.
The town square was the designated place for comedies, which were real sacred representations widespread throughout Trentino.
Surroundings of Vigolo Vattaro
The surroundings of Vigolo Vattaro are also worth visiting. The Castle of Vigolo was rebuilt in the seventeenth century and lost its medieval character, but even today, it is a beautiful place to visit. You can admire fifteenth-century biphores and monophores, as well as a square tower. The castle is located on top of a hill and serves as a guard for the ancient road that connects Vigolo to Bosentino. It was conquered and set on fire in 1256 by Ezzelino III da Romano, but was soon rebuilt for its importance. It has recently been restored.
Another place of interest is the "Bersaglio," a vast wooded and meadow area that extends at the foot of the Vigolana. Here you can take long walks in nature and enjoy splendid views of the surrounding mountains.
Conclusion
So here's our journey to discover Vigolo Vattaro, a hamlet that certainly deserves to be visited for its history and all the places of interest it possesses. I hope you enjoyed this virtual tour and that it made you want to put Vigolo Vattaro on your list of places to visit. See you soon with more discoveries!
