Zanè
A trip to Zanè: discovering the Veneto commune
Hello everyone! Today I’ll take you on a discovery tour of a small commune in Veneto: Zanè. This little village, with just over 6000 inhabitants, is located in the province of Vicenza and is full of Venetian history and tradition.
Physical geography
Before we start our journey, let's take a look at the physical geography of Zanè. It is located between the Po Valley and the Berici hills, it is washed by the Leogra river and its territory covers an area of 14.74 km².
Origins of the name
But where does the name of this Venetian commune come from? According to some hypotheses, Zanè would derive from ''dianus'', meaning a place exposed to the south. Others instead argue that the name may be linked to the proper name ''Johannes'', "John". However, we are not yet sure of the origin of the toponym.
History
Zanè is not only a commune with a mysterious name but also a town with an interesting past. Its name first appeared on a document in 1014, in which the Holy Roman Emperor Henry II granted many assets in the area to brothers Giovanni and Negro Verlati.
The village of Zanè is of medieval origin, as evidenced by the existence of the church of San Giuseppe and the tunnel that runs beneath the town, which was used for water supply to Thiene. In 1302, the settlement broke away from Thiene to become an independent commune.
Zanè also suffered difficult times, such as the destruction by the Paduan troupes who opposed the Scaligeri in 1314. Over the centuries, the town has always followed the events of Thiene and the Vicenza area.
Symbols
Zanè also has its symbols. The coat of arms of the commune was granted in 1961, while the gonfalon is a yellow and blue flag.
Monuments and places of interest
But what are the places of interest that we can visit in Zanè? Surely, a mandatory stop is the church of Saints Peter and Paul. Dating back to 1262, it was renewed in the 18th century, but contains numerous previous elements. Among the Baroque marble altars, there is the Tabernacle in Carrara marble and a painting attributed to Alessandro Maganza.
In the ''Campagne'' area of the commune, you can visit the Church dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Although it was built in modern times and does not contain ancient artistic representations, it is worth a visit for its architecture.
In the past, Zanè also had two other churches dedicated to Saint Rocco and to Santa Maria and San Giuseppe. The latter was an oratory upheld by a religious confraternity.
Conclusion
Dear friends, here we are at the end of our trip to Zanè. I hope you enjoyed discovering this Venetian commune with a mysterious name and an interesting past. If you want to visit a town immersed in Veneto history, Zanè is definitely a destination to consider for your next trip out of town.
