• Art & Culture

Vaprio d adda

Halfway between Bergamo and Milan it is located on the border between the two provinces marked by the river Adda, on the Milanese side

 

Vaprio d'Adda, in the province of Milan, conserves a considerable number of historical and artistic treasures and is most renowned in Lombardy for having hosted the great genius of Leonardo da Vinci in the early 16th century.

The interesting architectural heritage of Vaprio consists of eleven villas, three churches, two historic factories and many farmhouses, many of which originated in between the sixteenth and seventeenth century. The local history is dynamic, as witnessed by the different types of artefacts from various time periods and styles, which certainly deserve to be discovered, step by step.

Vaprio d' Adda is delineated by two borders, one natural, the other man-made with clean lines that mark the boundary of the urban development. The first of these borders (to the east), is traced in an unmistakable way by the Adda River; the other , to the west, is the straight provincial road # 104 that connects Trezzo to Truccazzano, beyond which only recently-constructed buildings can be found. Within these two ideals boundaries lies a grid of streets and squares built around the compact historic core, which rose up in the EarlyMiddle Ages near the course of the river. The site, already marked by traces of a Roman military camp, was initially home to a community of Benedictine monks, who were the first to plough and cultivate the land.

Therefore, Vaprio made a name for itself as an agricultural community, as confirmed by the historical buildings: the 17th and 18th century villas overlooking the river were the noble residences of large landowners; courtyard houses were located in the villages where settlers and farmers lived; farmhouses were located next to the cultivated fields, with farm buildings and rustic houses built around a vast courtyard. The rural orientation of the village centre is reflected in the homes: these buildings of modest height, usually two or three floors, are lined up in a continuous series along the main roads.

For many centuries, the heart of the village was the modern-day Piazza Cavour, an elongated space that overlooks the Adda River. Today, this square is home to the Town Hall (housed in the 18th century Palazzo Simonetta Archinto).

Piazza della Chiesa, dominated by the parish church, is the oldest part of Vaprio. And along this street, still one of the liveliest and most important of the town, is where the first shops, taverns and merchants were located.

Take me here: Vaprio d adda

On the same topic

The Longobard heritage of Pavia

A journey of discovery to uncover the ancient civilisation of the Longobards through the history of the city of Pavia.
  • Art & Culture
The Longobard heritage of Pavia

Bergamo, Crespi d'Adda

  • Art & Culture
Villaggio Crespi d'Adda

Monument Sondrio

Historical, artistic, traditional Sondrio in its many monuments ... and a railway station from which a special train departs
  • Art & Culture
Monument Sondrio, what to see

Walking through time between Grosio and Grosotto

The most extensive historiated rock in Europe
  • Art & Culture
Walking through time between Grosio and Grosotto

Museums Lecco

Known above all for 'I Promessi Sposi' by Manzoni, Lecco is also rich in history and culture to be discovered in the Civic Museums
  • Art & Culture
Museums Lecco, exploring Lombardy

Festival of Ethical Photography

Responsible photojournalism: The Festival of Ethical Photography
  • Art & Culture
Festival della Fotografia Etica

Milan Design

Not just Salone: ​​where design lives
  • Art & Culture
Milan, design beyond the Furniture Fair

Nose up in the streets of Milan

We wander around the city observing plaques and inscriptions
  • Art & Culture
Nose up in the streets of Milan

Theaters Brescia

Brescia will surprise you with the vitality of its theaters, where are staged prose, ballets and concerts
  • Art & Culture
Theaters Brescia, culture in Lombardy

San Pietro a Gemonio

This church is one of the points that remain more etched in the memory of the travelers who travel the Varese-Laveno
  • Art & Culture
San Pietro a Gemonio and the Salvini Museum in Cocquio Trevisago

Lorenzo Lotto Itinerary

In Bergamo on the trail of Lorenzo Lotto, one of the leading exponents of the Italian Renaissance
  • Art & Culture
Lorenzo Lotto Itinerary, following his trails

Castles Cremona

Crossroads of trade and area of strong agricultural production, the Cremonese territory has always been guarded by castles
  • Art & Culture
@albertobr rete.comuni-italiani.it

The Fourteen Chapels of the Sacro Monte di Varese

  • Art & Culture
The Fourteen Chapels of the Sacro Monte di Varese

Podcast: "Elsewhere in Lombardy"

Boundless beauty
  • Art & Culture
@inLombardia_Adobestock

Itinerary Mincio Po Rivers

A pleasant itinerary to discover the naturalistic and architectural riches of this strip of Lombardy.
  • Art & Culture
Itinerary of Mincio and Po rivers, exploring on two wheels

Cammino del Vescovado: vineyards and villages

A route in three stages to discover the Terre del Vescovado, amidst picturesque villages, charming hills and famous vineyards
  • Art & Culture
Cammino del Vescovado: vineyards and villages - credits: terredelvescovado.it

More than just cows

Everything you need to know about the Baronchelli dairy farm. A trip to Lodi to discover what's behind the milk we drink
  • Art & Culture
More than just cows

Seven castles in Lombardy

From Lake Garda to Valtellina by way of Milan. Among crenellated walls, towers and porticoed loggias
  • Art & Culture
Castello Sforzesco a Milano

A journey in Bassa Valtellina among vineyards, districts and historic buildings

The Valtellina you don't expect surprises with its history, crops and food and wine events
  • Art & Culture
A journey in Bassa Valtellina among vineyards, districts and historic buildings

Theaters Lodi

Lodi is famous not only for its monumental beauties, but also for the lively cultural activity in its theaters
  • Art & Culture
Theaters Lodi, culture trips in Lombardy