Villorba
Villorba: a Venetian municipality
Hello everyone! Today I want to talk to you about a very interesting municipality located in the province of Treviso, in the Veneto region: Villorba. This small municipality has a population of 17,512 inhabitants and is known for its beauty and ancient history.
Origins of the name
The name Villorba has several theories about its origins. An old hypothesis by Carlo Agnoletti states that the name derives from Latin "villa urbis" referring to the residence of the Collalto, a palace built near the city of Treviso. However, the most probable theories are by Dante Olivieri and Giovanni Frau, who read the noun "villa" as village and the adjective "orbus" as poor, therefore Villorba would be a poor village. A similar toponym is also found with Villaorba, in the province of Udine.
History
Roman Age
The human presence in Villorba was significant during the Roman era, as it is located near the municipium of Treviso. Several archaeological evidence have been found in this area, particularly in the locality of Casal Vecchio which has been identified as an ancient Roman villa.
The Middle Ages and the Serenissima
The municipality of Villorba is mentioned for the first time in a document from 982, when it was still part of the Holy Roman Empire. During this period, Villorba was part of the Collalto possessions, counts of Treviso. Subsequently, other feudal lords settled in Villorba, including the family of Lancenigo, which gave its name to the hamlet where the town hall is located.
During these centuries, the area was plundered and destroyed several times, mainly due to its location near the Via Postumia, an important artery used by passing armies. In 1318, for example, Cangrande della Scala devastated Villorba with the intent of attacking Treviso. Only at the end of the 14th century, the Republic of Venice took control of the territory and brought a long season of stability and prosperity.
From the 19th century to the present
With the fall of the Serenissima, Veneto went through different phases of turmoil caused by the alternation of French and Austrian control. Villorba, like many other towns in the region, was affected by this situation. However, with the unification of Italy, Villorba saw new developments, particularly in agriculture and local economy.
Conclusions
In conclusion, Villorba is a historic and very interesting municipality to visit, especially for its natural beauty and history. Don't hesitate to visit this splendid part of the Veneto region.
