Villafranca di Verona

The Scaliger Castle

Villafranca di Verona
—  Comune  —
Comune di Villafranca di Verona
Villafranca di Verona Location of Villafranca di Verona in Italy
Coordinates: 45°21′N 10°51′E / 45.35°N 10.85°E / 45.35; 10.85Coordinates: 45°21′N 10°51′E / 45.35°N 10.85°E / 45.35; 10.85
Country	Italy
Region	Veneto
Province	Verona (VR)
Frazioni	Alpo, Dossobuono, Pizzoletta, Rizza, Rosegaferro, Quaderni, Caluri
Area
- Total	57.43 km2 (22.2 sq mi)
Elevation	54 m (177 ft)
Population (1 January 2009)
- Total	32,406
- Density	564.3/km2 (1,461.5/sq mi)
- Demonym	Villafranchesi
Time zone	CET (UTC+1)
- Summer (DST)	CEST (UTC+2)
Postal code	37069
Dialing code	045
Patron saint	Saint Peter and Saint Paul
Saint day	29 June
Website	Official website

Villafranca di Verona (total population 32,406) is a town and comune in the province of Verona in the Veneto, Northern Italy. At the 2001 census the municipality (comune) had a population of 29,353 inhabitants and a land area of 57.43 km² (22.17 sq mi).

Geography

Villafranca is located 20 km southern to Verona, in the middle between it and Mantua. Currently it is the second biggest town in the province right before Legnago, which still remains the main center of the southern province.

In its south east part it is crossed by the river Tione.

History

The position on the ancient via Postumia and the perpendicular intersection structure of its roads suggest us that the city had roman origins. In the middle age, in occasion of the foundation of the Rectors' Council of Verona, on March 9, 1185, it assumed the aspect of a tax free town, from which derived the name of villa franca. In the history it is remembered because of the "Treaty of Villafranca", which concluded the Second independence war, and the battle of the 24th June 1866.

Frazioni

The biggest of the frazioni is the town of Dossobuono, with a population of around 6370.

Alpo is a town of around 2000 people, near the airport.

Pizzoletta has a population of around 1000.

Rosegaferro has a population of around 1300.

Quaderni is a village of around 1300 people.

Rizza is a name derived^{[citation needed]} from the Spanish word "Risa" meaning laughter; about 1000 people live there.

Economy

Air Dolomiti, a regional airline and Lufthansa subsidiary, maintains its registered office in Villafranca di Verona.^[1]

Places to see

Churches

• Oratory of Christ (inside the castle)

It is the oldest church in the territory of Villafranca. Recently it has been restaured.

• The church of Disciplina or of Visitazione - XV century

Donated by the Count Giorgio Maffei in 1499 to the Confraternity of dei Disciplinati, the oratory of Disciplina, with its baroque façade, keeps inside the precious "Mortorio", recently restored, with 9 wooden statues showing Jesus Christ, Nicodemus, Joseph of Arimatea, Mary, Mary of Cleofa, Mary Betania, Mary Maddalena and the former owner of the Chirch. Very important is also its "Via Crucis".

• San Rocco Church- XV century

Ex voto for the pestilence of 1478-80 and dedicated to San Rocco, it was decorated in the outer part by frescoes of the school of Domenico Morone.

• Church of San Giovanni della Paglia - XV century

Realized for Malta's Knights, today it is a private church.

• Duomo of Villafranca - XVII century

The Duomo of Saint Peter and Paul is located in the center of the town, and along with the castle is the most notable monument of Villafranca. This church is a copy of the Church of the Most Holy Redeemer of Venice.

• Church of Madonna del Popolo - XX century

Fortifications

• Castle - XII century

The Castle of Villafranca had been being realized since 1199, and was finished in 1202. Inside the walls there are seven towers, called "Torresine". To build these towers, rocks and marble from Tiberius' Arch were used.

The following wars destroyed most of the castle, however it was rebuilt again. In 1890 the main tower was rebuilt, and a clock realized on its top.

Villafranca's castle attracts many visitors, especially from the neighborhoodsm as inside are often organized many manifestations, such as Saint Peter and Paul's fair, an open air cinema, concerts and theatral plays.

• Serraglio - XIV century

Defensive wall built from the Scaligeri to protect the south eastern side of the territory. Started from Mastino II in 1345 and completed by Cangrande II in 1355, it was 13 kilometers long, with defensive towers, and followed along river Tione. The wall is now distructed or buried, but in Villafranca some ruins are still visible.

Monuments

• Bottagisio Palace, the house of the Peace Treat

• The Obelisc of Quadrato

Realized in 1880 in memory of the fants who fighted there during the Third independence war

Economy

Villafranca has an important commercial tradition: every Wednesday morning in the city center there is an important market.

Agriculture is specialized in fruit, and as a consequence of this, Villafranca owns an important trade market for peaches.

As for gastronomy, typical of this town are taiadele coi fegadini (tagliatelle in broth with leaver of chicken), and sfogliatine, fragrant donuts prepared by many pastries in the town.

In the territory of the town, operates the Airport of Verona Villafranca "Valerio Catullo" that along with the airport of Brescia-Montichiari "Gabriele D'Annunzio", constitute the "Garda's Airport System".

References

External links

• Official website (Italian)

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