Vigonovo
Welcome to Vigonovo! A brief journey through geography, history and the town's name
Hello everyone! Today I will talk to you about Vigonovo, an Italian municipality located in the metropolitan city of Venice, in Veneto. The town has around 9,896 inhabitants and is located in the furthest point of the Riviera del Brenta. With its fractions of Galta, Tombelle, and Celeseo, Vigonovo extends for approximately 13 square kilometers to the west of the Naviglio del Brenta on mainly flat terrain.
Vigonovo's geographic location
Vigonovo is located in the intersection between the Brenta River and the Naviglio del Brenta, and borders the province of Padua. Among the waterways that run through the territory, one can find the Piovego canal, the Piovega consortium drain, and the Cornio consortium drain. The main and secondary roads ensure un-congested internal mobility and quick access to the main communication routes.
Origin of the name
In ancient times, the town was known as Sarmazza (or Sermazza) because it was the site of a Sarmatian settlement. Only in the medieval period was the name changed to Vicus Novus, meaning "new village," and then becoming the current name of Vigonovo.
The history of Vigonovo
The first settlement in the area was located in the locality of Sarmazza, as evidenced by the discovery of a paleo-Venetian necropolis dating back to the 3rd century BC. With the arrival of the Romans, the Annia road was traced, connecting Padua to Aquileia, passing through the current Tombelle and Sarmazza locations. The area was evangelized in the 4th century, and the first Christian place of worship was built on the basis of a Roman fortress, always in the locality of Sarmazza, and dedicated to the Blessed Savior.
At the end of the 6th century, the inhabitants of the area returned and rebuilt the village, which was renamed Vigonovo. The new church, dedicated to the Assumption of Mary, carried for a long time the title of Santa Maria di Sarmazza di Vigonovo and served as a mother church. In the 10th century, the territory was devastated by the raids of the Hungarians, and the church of San Salvatore was destroyed.
In 1035, the toponym Vigonovo was attested for the first time. During the Middle Ages, the territory to the east of Padua was involved in the wars that opposed the city to the Republic of Venice, due to border disputes and hydraulic interventions on the course of the Brenta River. In 1405, Padua and, consequently, Vigonovo, were definitively subjected to the Serenissima and remained so until the fall of the Serenissima in 1797.
Conclusions
Here is a brief but interesting overview of the geography, history, and origin of the name of Vigonovo. The town has witnessed a series of events that have marked the course of history, but today it is a beautiful municipality that invites you to walk in contact with nature and discover the testimonies of the past. If one day you have the opportunity to visit this area, I assure you that you will not be disappointed!
