Villimpenta (Mantovano: Vilimpénta) is a comune (municipality) in the Province of Mantua in the Italian region Lombardy, located about 150 kilometres (93 mi) east of Milan and about 20 kilometres (12 mi) east of Mantua.

Villimpenta
Vilimpénta (Emilian)
Comune di Villimpenta
Castle of Villimpenta.
Castle of Villimpenta.
Coat of arms of Villimpenta
Location of Villimpenta
Map
Villimpenta is located in Italy
Villimpenta
Villimpenta
Location of Villimpenta in Italy
Villimpenta is located in Lombardy
Villimpenta
Villimpenta
Villimpenta (Lombardy)
Coordinates: 45°9′N 11°2′E / 45.150°N 11.033°E / 45.150; 11.033
CountryItaly
RegionLombardy
ProvinceMantua (MN)
FrazioniPradello
Government
 • MayorFabrizio Avanzini
Area
 • Total
14.85 km2 (5.73 sq mi)
Elevation
18 m (59 ft)
Population
 (31 December 2015[2])[3]
 • Total
2,186
 • Density150/km2 (380/sq mi)
DemonymVillimpentesi
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code
46039
Dialing code0376
WebsiteOfficial website

Villimpenta borders the municipalities of Castel d'Ario, Gazzo Veronese, Roncoferraro, Sorgà and Sustinente.

Origins of the Name

edit

The name may derive from Latin villapicta - which is a compound of villa (rural building surrounded by other houses and decorated) and the Latin adjective pictus, -a, -um (painted) through the form impincta.

History

edit

The town has remote origins and numerous archaeological findings which date back the settlement to the Neolithic and Bronze Age. The oldest mention dates back to 1047 and tells of a castellum in Villapicta owned by the Abbey of St Zeno of Verona, given by Emperor Henry III. Villimpenta was under the control of the Veronese house until 1243, when the Mantuans regained possession of the area, imprisoning the supporters of Ezzelino as well. During the 14th century, it passed under control of the Scaliger, the Visconti and on 23 January 1391, it definitively passed under the control of the Gonzaga with Francesco I Gonzaga, lord of Mantua, who purchased the area including the village and the ancient castle from Gian Galeazzo Visconti. The Gonzaga family ruled until 1708, the year of their fall. The village was plundered in 1618 and then 1796 by both French and Austrian troops.

Sights and Tourist Attractions

edit
  • Scaliger Castle, 11th century
  • Villa Gonzaga-Zani, 16th century, designed by Giulio Romano
  • Parish church of San Michele Arcangelo, 18th century

Culture

edit

Museums

edit
  • Francioli Nuvolari Museum

Traditional events

edit

In the town the so-called "Festa del Risotto" (Risotto Festival) takes place, twinned with ‘Sagra de la Volìa Cazzata’ (Fair of the pressed olive) of Martano (Lecce).

References

edit
  1. ^ "Superficie di Comuni Province e Regioni italiane al 9 ottobre 2011". Italian National Institute of Statistics. Retrieved 16 March 2019.
  2. ^ All demographics and other statistics: Istituto Nazionale di Statistica (Istat).
  3. ^ "Popolazione Residente al 1° Gennaio 2018". Italian National Institute of Statistics. Retrieved 16 March 2019.
edit