Villa Estense
Welcome to Villa Estense: a brief historical introduction
Hello friends, today I will talk to you about Villa Estense, a small municipality in the province of Padova, in Veneto, with a population of 2096 inhabitants. The name of the municipality derives from the previous toponym, Villa di Villa, which was in use until 1867. The first traces of the settlement date back to the Roman era, but they were lost during the barbarian invasions. However, the name appears in the list of assets confirmed by the Emperor Henry IV of Franconia in 1077. Since then, Villa di Villa has continued to be mentioned in subsequent documents of donations and confirmations.
The coat of arms and flag
The coat of arms and flag of Villa Estense were granted by royal decree in 1927. The coat of arms represents the ancient tower of Villa di Villa (nowadays Villa Estense) which until 1865 was used as a bell tower. The head of the empire wants to remember the Roman origin of the country. The flag is white.
Monuments and places of interest
Religious architecture
Villa Estense has some interesting churches. The Church of Saints Andrew the Apostle and Columba was originally dedicated to St. Andrew and was built in the 17th century. In the 19th century, it became a parish incorporating the dedication of Santa Colomba. The church was rebuilt because it was now dilapidated, after the Senate of the Republic of Venice gave the parish to the inhabitants of Villa Estense. The church has a single nave and seven altars, and the bell tower dates back to 1894. Next to the old building there was an Oratory of St. Anthony of the Pilgrims with an attached hospital managed by the Fraglia dei Batù. The Church of Santa Maria del Pilastro dates back to the 16th century and is directed by the Order of the Blessed Virgin of Mount Carmel of Venice and Padua. The Church of Santa Rantua was first built in 1364 at the behest of Ubertino da Grompo and underwent various renovation works until it assumed its current appearance in the 16th century.
Conclusion
Villa Estense is a small jewel of Veneto, with a long history dating back to the Roman era. The municipality has several interesting churches, including the Church of Saints Andrew the Apostle and Columba, the Church of Santa Maria del Pilastro, and the Church of Santa Rantua. If you are looking for a quiet and relaxing place to spend a few days, Villa Estense could be just right for you.
