Villaga
Welcome to Villaga!
Hello everyone! Today we will discover Villaga, a municipality in the Veneto region with 1927 inhabitants and located in the province of Vicenza. Get ready to discover its history, symbols, and most interesting places to visit.
The history of Villaga
There is no certainty about the origins of this village, although some suggestions suggest that it was founded during the Lombard period. One of the suggestions comes from the dedication of the parish church to St. Michael the Archangel. However, there are no documents that can prove this hypothesis.
Until the 13th century, Villaga was under the jurisdiction of Barbarano Vicentino from an ecclesiastical and civil point of view. The church of Villaga was part of the Santa Maria Assunta pieve in Barbarano, while Villaga and Mossano were part of the Vicinia of Barbarano.
Towards the end of the 13th century, the jurisdiction of Barbarano was dismantled and three autonomous municipalities were created: Barbarano, Mossano, and Villaga. In this same period, there was talk of a castle, the "castrum montagnagi," located in "pertinentiis de Tovara," which has been identified with Belvedere.
The castle belonged to Count Montano Barbarano, who completely restored it. In the second half of the 16th century, the family built a residence more suitable for the needs of the time.
The symbols of Villaga
The territory of Villaga was part of the vast possessions of the Barbaran family. The municipal coat of arms depicts a black lion with a bifurcated and rampant tail on a white field, the coat of arms of the Vicenza noble family.
The flag of Villaga is a split red and black flag.
Monuments and places of interest
If you happen to visit Villaga, there are some monuments and places of interest not to be missed.
Religious architectures
There are four parish churches in the territory, one in the center and the others in the hamlets.
The Church of St. Michael the Archangel is the oldest. Originally, it was an ancient chapel of the nearby Barbarano Vicentino pieve. The oldest document on the existence of the parish of Villaga dates back to 1187.
The Church of Santa Lucia in Pozzolo was built around 1425.
The Church of St. Anthony Abbot in Belvedere di Villaga was erected in 1444 by a member of the Barbarano family, owner of the nearby castle.
Belvedere Castle
Belvedere Castle was built in the 15th century by Count Montano Barbarano. In the second half of the 16th century, the family built a more suitable residence for the needs of the time in place of the original castle. Today, the structure is privately owned and not open to the public.
Villa Arturo Sartori
Villa Arturo Sartori was built in the 18th century and is located in the center of Villaga. The villa has been restored and now houses the town hall.
Conclusion
Here is a brief guide to discover Villaga, a Veneto municipality rich in history and places of interest. What are you waiting for? Explore this beautiful village!
