Vo'
Vo': the shortest municipality in Italy
Vo' is an Italian municipality located in the province of Padua, in the Veneto region. With its 3275 inhabitants, it is one of the smallest municipalities in the region but can boast a record: its name is considered the shortest among Italian municipalities, along with Ne and Re.
The territory of Vo' extends on the western slope of the Euganean Hills, within the Regional Park of the Euganean Hills. Together with the municipalities of Teolo, Cinto Euganeo, and Galzignano, it hosts Monte Venda, the highest mountain of the park with its 603 meters. The soil on which the municipality stands is very iron-rich, and the climate is characterized by cold winters and hot summers.
The history of Vo' and its origins
The name of the town seems to have originated from the Latin language, particularly from the word ''vadum,'' which means ford or swamp. Before the Cucca ditch of 589, the territory was crossed by a branch of the Adige River, which skirted the entire chain of the Euganean Hills. In the past, the town was called ''Vicus Euganeus,'' meaning Euganean village, but the name Vo' could derive from the abbreviation ''V.o Euganeo,'' read carelessly and quickly as ''Vico Euganeo.'' In the Middle Ages, Vo' was at the center of the life of the family from Vo', which owned a castle. In the fifteenth century, it passed to the Serenissima of Venice, and in the seventeenth century, the Contarini family had the villa erected upon which the urban plan of the current Vo' Vecchio was based. Over the years, the municipality saw the alternation of French and Austrian governments, until it became part of the Kingdom of Italy in 1866.
The COVID-19 outbreak and a study on the entire population of the municipality
In February 2020, Vo' was identified as one of the first COVID-19 outbreaks in Italy. A study on the population of the municipality, conducted by Andrea Crisanti of the University of Padua, highlighted the possibility of virus transmission even by asymptomatic infected people. Thanks to the cooperation of the inhabitants, who voluntarily underwent tests, the researchers were able to map the evolution of the virus within the community and identify clusters of contamination.
The coat of arms of Vo' and the banner
The municipal coat of arms of Vo' and the banner were granted by decree of the President of the Republic in 1994. The coat of arms depicts a white cross on a red background, with two laurel and oak branches on either side. The banner consists of a white and red drape with the municipal coat of arms in the center.
In summary, Vo' is a small Italian municipality located in the Veneto region, known for its name being considered the shortest among Italian municipalities. The territory of Vo' hosts Monte Venda, the highest mountain of the Regional Park of the Euganean Hills, while its history is linked to the family from Vo' and the Serenissima of Venice. Furthermore, Vo' made history in COVID-19 research by hosting a study on the entire population of the municipality. Finally, the coat of arms and banner of Vo' exhibit an iconic symbol reflecting the history and culture of the municipality.
