Galzignano Terme: from its origins to the Middle Ages.
Fundum Galzignanum: a farm founded and cultivated by the Gauls. Galzignano Terme was founded on the border between the territories of Patavium (=Padua) and Ateste (=Este). Here, in Roman times, the proconsul Metellius placed a boundary stone made of Euganean trachyte, almost three meters high, today preserved in the Atestino Museum. The ancient Roman road that ran through the town is Via delle Due Mura, still passable on foot today. In the Middle Ages, Galzignano was connected to the Adriatic Sea by the Naviglio, a navigable canal located in the Valli area, an important communication route. It allowed the town to dedicate itself to trade and the Venetian nobles to reach the Euganean Hills.
Historic buildings of Galzignano Terme.
Two castles once stood on Mount Castello and Mount Castellazzo. They guarded the northern and southern borders of the municipality. Today, only a few meager but fascinating ruins remain of these imposing fortifications. On Mount Castellazzo, a high surrounding wall still supports a clearing known as the "loggia." At the summit of Mount Castello, a trachyte base and a low corner wall of the tower remain, the only surviving tower, converted into a bird snare in the late 19th century. The first cluster of houses formed around the monastery of Sant'Eusebio, which led to the birth of the village of Valsanzibio. Furthermore, the ancient "Da Castegna" restaurant houses the buildings that constituted the Convent of the Holy Trinity in the 14th century.
The touch of the Serenissima.
In 1405, the Serenissima established its dominion over the city of Padua. Significant land reclamation projects were also carried out in Galzignano. Venetian nobles built several villas, which became luxury residences or centers of agricultural and artisanal production. Villa Boggian, Benacchio, Saggini, Civrana, Olivato, and Rizzoli stand today as testaments to a glorious past.
Dino Durante.
A writer, poet, and comedian known far beyond the confines of Padua, he was born and raised in Galzignano, where he was an elementary school teacher. He explained the great battles of history by dividing students into teams and setting up barricades with classroom desks. He founded the Venetian Republic of the Pianzio Valley, based on recreational activities, of which he was honorary president. His most famous literary creation is undoubtedly the Venetian humorous almanac called "Strologo." He co-edited the Veneto-Italian Etymological Dictionary with Walter Basso. His collaboration with the newspapers Il Gazzettino and Il Resto del Carlino was fruitful. His personalized identity card read: "He hates spinach, urban agglomerations, and troublemakers," and "He loves beautiful women, good wine, and good food." His favorite motto was "He who works wastes precious time."
Fact or legend?
In front of Galzignano's town hall stands a strange stone with a pedestal, very similar to a millstone. It is the so-called "Piera del Spàca." Spàca was a diabolical innkeeper who lived in the eighteenth century. He hosted patrons in his inn, fed them, and then treacherously lured them into sleep by infusing their wine with a sleeping pill. During the night, he robbed and killed them, then buried them under a large almond tree near the inn.
