Monteveglio

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Monteveglio
Frazione
Abbazia di Santa Maria in Monteveglio
Monteveglio Location of Monteveglio in Italy
Coordinates: 44°28′0″N 11°5′0″E / 44.46667°N 11.08333°E / 44.46667; 11.08333
Country	Italy
Region	Emilia-Romagna
Metropolitan city	Bologna
Comune	Valsamoggia
Elevation	117 m (384 ft)
Population  (2010)
• Total	5,286
Demonym(s)	Montevegliesi
Time zone	UTC+1 (CET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code	40050
Patron saint	San Rocco
Saint day	August 16th
Website	https://www.comune.valsamoggia.bo.it/

Monteveglio (Muntvì^[1] or Måntvî^[2] in the western Bolognese dialect) is a frazione (village) in the comune (municipality) of Valsamoggia. It is located about 20 kilometres (12 mi) west of Bologna, near the Samoggia River, in the Italian region of Emilia-Romagna. It was an independent comune until 2014, when it merged with the neighboring municipalities of Bazzano, Valsamoggia, Castello di Serravalle, Crespellano, and Savigno. Monteveglio's main attractions are its pieve of Santa Maria and Oratory of San Rocco.

Etymology[]

The name Monteveglio may have come from the Latin mons belli, "mountain of war". However, though phonetically feasible, this view lacks documentary evidence, and archaeologically there is no evidence of Roman fortification or a garrison in the area. More likely is that Monteveglio is a corruption of Montebello, "beautiful mountain".^{[citation needed]}

History[]

Ancient

The lands surrounding the Samoggia River have been inhabited since the Neolithic era, as evidenced by archaeological finds now visible in the Archaeological Museum of Bazzano. Settlement at Monteveglio, however, only certainly dates back to the 1st century AD^{[citation needed]}. At this time, there were Roman villas in the area of the modern abbey. Very little remains of them. Only one building in the village today bears the remains of Roman facades and columns.^{[citation needed]}

Medieval

During the Middle Ages, Monteveglio, along with other settlements, became part of a system of fortifications between the Samoggia and Panaro rivers, protecting inner Italy from the Lombards until the final conquest of Liutprand in 727.^{[citation needed]} In 728, Monteveglio joined the Duchy of Persiceta.^{[citation needed]}

In the 11th century, Monteveglio was fundamental in Countess Matilda of Tuscany's desperate resistance to Holy Roman Emperor Henry IV's invasion of Italy, after his humiliating defeat to Pope Gregory VII at Canossa.^{[citation needed]} Supposedly, it was the death of the Emperor's son in the battle at Monteveglio that proved the strength of the papal forces and prompted the invaders to retreat.^{[citation needed]}

21st-century

In 2008, Monteveglio was the first Italian municipality to be recognized as a transition town.^{[citation needed]} Since 2009, it has been part of the Union of Common Samoggia Valleys.^{[citation needed]}

On 25 November 2012, a referendum was held, proposing merging Monteveglio with the neighbouring municipalities of Bazzano, Castello di Serravalle, Crespellano, and Savigno. The result was a "yes" vote of 51.5%. On 1 January 2014 the municipality of Valsamoggia was established.^[3]

Physical Geography and Environment[]

Monteveglio is located in the Bolognese Apennines. The territory is hilly, characterized by extensive forest cover alternating with arable land.^[4] There are also badland areas characterized by intense erosion.^[5] Over the last century, Monteveglio expanded onto the foot of the 260-meter hill on which its abbey and medieval fortifications are located.^{[citation needed]}

Located 20 kilometres from Bologna, Monteveglio is connected to the capital by a dense road network.^{[citation needed]}

"Abbey Hill" and the surrounding 900 hectares^[6] constitute the "Monteveglio Abbey Regional Park", which is rich in local wildlife, especially birds.

Surrounding settlements[]

Oliveto

The hamlet of Oliveto is located on a small hill a short distance from Monteveglio. Tourists often visit because it retains the impression of a medieval castle settlement. There are two churches: the bell tower of one is a cornerstone of the recycled castle, as evident from its sturdy, military appearance. The most significant monument is the Great House of the Jew (built by the Jew Solomon in the 15th century), which was the first bank in the Samoggia valley^{[citation needed]}. Every March, the village celebrates the festival "Funeral of the Saracca". Originating with local peasants after the First World War, it involves the mock funeral and burial of a small coffin containing a saracca. This small fish was historically a symbol of austere winters, during which the poor normally ate only polenta topped with saracca. The fish is buried with the arrival of spring and its rich food.^{[citation needed]}

Montebudello

Another nearby hamlet is Montebudello, home to around 40 inhabitants. Montebudello was separated from Monteveglio in around the 8th century and became Bolognese in 1204. In 1227 a castle was built there, which saw much bloodshed in the wars against Modena, the Visconti of Milan, and mercenaries from . The hills are full of farmhouses, restaurants, and vineyards (notably the Pignoletto). Montebudello is 37 km from Bologna and 29 km from Modena.^{[citation needed]}

Ziribega

Ziribega, another hamlet of Monteveglio, is located near Castello di Serravalle.^{[citation needed]}

References[]