Alonte

the reality

of small Alonte

The Municipality of Alonte is a small town of 1,662 inhabitants, located at the foot of the Berici Hills, in the province of Vicenza. The name of the town is first mentioned in ancient medieval documents: it seems certain that a fortification system existed in Alonte, which included the Old Church, once called “Santa Maria del castello,” situated on the summit of the hill facing the town, a castle, of which some traces remain today, possibly destroyed around 1312 during the conflicts between the Vicentines and Scaligers against the Paduans, and some early medieval tombs, still clearly visible.
During the Scaliger period, Alonte was owned by the noble Vicentine family of the Proti, who were later succeeded by the Traversi. The only hamlet of the Municipality is Corlanzone, whose name derives from the “curtis” of Lanzone. In its center stands the Church dedicated to Saint Michael. The territory of Alonte, fertile and verdant, was a favored location for noble Venetian families as a holiday retreat in the 16th century. The only remaining villa from that period is Villa Trevisan, once belonging to the noble Traversi family, with a Gothic-style loggia.

Today, the residential center is nestled in a small valley bordered by two hills. Thanks to this sheltered position, the climate is generally pleasant throughout the year and rainfall is infrequent.

The Municipality has experienced significant demographic growth over the past twenty years, reaching 1,662 inhabitants. The notable fact is that the average age among residents is 35 years, making it a very young town.

alonte

nestled in a small valley sheltered by two hills

guide

History

The toponym may be traced back to a pre-Latin term lonta “deep hollow”; however, it can also be classified among hydronymic denominations widespread in Europe. It can in fact be compared with a form alont- (Latvian aluôts “spring,” Lithuanian Alanta river name), which appears with different vocalism in the hydronym Alento, at whose origin a base al- “to flow” has been posited.

[Source: Wikipedia]

On the hill overlooking Alonte, flint tools, terracotta, and metal fragments have been found in a small rock necropolis (4th-6th century BC). On the southern slope of the hill, a series of ancient burial pits carved into the rock can be observed. Eight rectangular tombs are clearly visible.

The name of the town is first mentioned in ancient medieval documents. In 753, the name appears in a manuscript, and reappears together with that of the hamlet Corlanzone in 1545 in a document relating to property donated to the Bishop of Mantua by Marquis Almerico.

In the final years of the 9th century, during the Hungarian invasions, it seems certain that a fortification system existed in Alonte, which included the parish church, which was therefore once called Santa Maria del castello.

Little information exists about the medieval castle, of which some traces remain today, possibly destroyed around 1312 or 1313, during the conflicts of the Vicentines and Scaligers against the Paduans. Maccà records that in 1312 the village of Alonte was devastated and burned, so much so that “standing in Lonigo one could see the smoke from this fire.”

During the Scaliger period, the noble Vicentine family of the Proti held property in Alonte, later succeeded by the Traversi. The Fracanzani were enfeoffed there, having been feudal lords of Orgiano since 1315, to whose vicariate Alonte was alternately connected.

The ancient church of Alonte, mentioned in the rationes decimarum of 1297-1303, was built on the fortified settlement, outside the village.
Thick walls are still visible next to the building today. The church was then rebuilt in 1631 and dedicated to Saint Blaise. It remained the parish church until 1878, when it was abandoned due to structural instability.

In 1868, construction of the new parish church began, designed by engineer Antonio Trevisan and erected within the town; it subsequently underwent modifications and restorations in 1935 and more recently. Inside, the single circular nave is surmounted by a luminous hemispherical dome.

In addition to the main altar, the interior features two altars, one with an altarpiece of Saint Blaise and the other with a statue of the Madonna and Child, dating from 1892.

Parish Church of St. Blaise in Alonte.

Bell tower of the parish church of Alonte.

Church of St. Michael in Corlanzone (2006?).

Church of St. Michael in Corlanzone (2018).

In the center of the hamlet of Corlanzone (whose name derives from the curtis of Lanzone) we find the church dedicated to Saint Michael the Archangel. The names of the place and the saint bear witness to the presence of a Lombard curtis.

The territory of Alonte, fertile and verdant, was chosen by noble Venetian families as a holiday retreat in the 16th century.
The only remaining villa from that period is Villa Trevisan, once belonging to the noble Giustinian family, with a Gothic-style loggia.

[Source: Wikipedia]

Here are the points of interest in the town:

Church of Santa Savina: this is the oldest church in Alonte, recently restored.
Old Church: the remains of this church are visible on the summit of the hill facing Alonte, frequented since prehistoric times due to its isolated position, easily defensible and close to water and other resources. This is attested by flint tools, terracotta, and metal fragments found and dating to the Bronze Age. The church ruin is reached via a road called “Roman” because of its cobblestone paving, although the correct historical placement of the latter is to be considered the early Middle Ages.
Church of San Biagio: this is the parish church, located in the center of the town. It was designed by local engineer Antonio Trevisan and was consecrated on February 10, 1878, when the Old Church on the hill had already been abandoned. Inside, the single circular nave is surmounted by a luminous hemispherical dome.
Church of San Michele: dating to the 14th century, it features the vault of its long central nave entirely frescoed. Recent restoration has brought to light all its preciousness and beauty.
Early medieval tombs: on the southern slope of the hill, a series of ancient burial pits carved into the rock can be observed. Eight rectangular tombs of dimensions sufficient to contain a human body remain visible.
Grotta dei Mulini: the cave of Alonte is located just north of the spring connected to it. The entrance opens at the base of a large overhanging ledge, where a rock climbing area has recently been set up. The cave has been the subject of various speleological expeditions that have confirmed a development of 670 m (the second longest natural cavity in the Berici Hills) with an elevation difference from the entrance of -5 to 11 m.