Treviglio
Treviglio is an Italian comune with a population of 31,479 inhabitants in the Province of Bergamo, Lombardy. As the second most populous comune in the province, it is situated in the heart of the Po Valley, approximately south of the provincial capital, Bergamo.
Founded during the Early Middle Ages through the unification of three settlements for defensive purposes, Treviglio serves as the main hub of the Gera d'Adda region. Its strategic location is underscored by its position at the crossroads of roads and railways connecting it to Bergamo, Brescia, Cremona, Lodi, and Milan.
Geography
Territory
Treviglio's territory spans 32.22 km², located within the Gera d'Adda, a region largely within the lower Bergamasque area between the Adda and Serio Rivers, approximately 2 km from the former. It borders the municipalities of Arcene, Brignano Gera d'Adda, Calvenzano, Caravaggio, Casirate d'Adda, Cassano d'Adda, Castel Rozzone, Fara Gera d'Adda, and Pontirolo Nuovo.Although situated in the Po Valley, the terrain features elevation changes of up to 15 metres near the Adda River due to a morphological terrace known as the Treviglio Coast. The city's central core lies at 125 metres above sea level, with the altitude varying by 35 metres, gradually decreasing from the northeast to the southwest.
Geology and morphology
Treviglio's soil is of alluvial origin, consisting primarily of layers of gravel, sand, and, at greater depths, sandstone. Beneath the alluvial layer, the terrain includes strata from the Quaternary, marine deposits, Pliocene, Langhian, Aquitanian, and Holocene periods.The western part of the municipal territory is crossed by a morphological terrace called the Treviglio Coast, dividing the municipality into two distinct zones: the eastern area, encompassing the city center, most of Geromina, and all of Battaglie and Castel Cerreto, dates to the Pleistocene, while a smaller western portion, including the Pezzoli farmstead and the Treviza lake, belongs to the Holocene.
Additionally, there are two quarries: one near the road to Badalasco and another close to the road to Casirate d'Adda. In the past, such quarries were transformed into lakes, with the Treviza lake near the Roccolo being a prime example. Another former lake, now the Vailata quarry, was formed due to erosion processes.
Hydrology
Rivers
The city of Treviglio is situated around 5 kilometers from the Adda River, though the river itself does not flow directly through the city, as the municipal territory of Cassano d'Adda, including its frazioni of Cascate, Cascine San Pietro, and Taranta, extends to the opposite bank. In ancient times, when the Adda was wider and formed the so-called Lake Gerundo, the western part of the comune was likely submerged, situated beyond the morphological terrace of the Treviglio Coast.Canals, ditches, and wells
The territory is intersected by multiple ditches, one of which, derived from the Brembo River, skirts the historic center via the Mulina canal along Via Cavallotti. Since medieval times, this canal supplied water to the moat of the village, located beneath the inner ring road. Historical models in the civic museum show that the moat originally consisted of three smaller channels, later merged into a single one. The moat's covering began in the 19th century and was completed in the first half of the 20th century.From a hydrogeological perspective, while the area does not exhibit severe signs of soil degradation, it remains partially at risk of flooding.
The municipality also has four wells for water supply: three near the historic center with depths of 132.5, 67, and 76 meters, and one near the frazione of Castel Cerreto at 48 meters. Additionally, two wells for hydrocarbon exploration, with depths of 850 and.5 meters, are located in the northern part of the territory.
Seismology
From a seismic perspective, Treviglio has a low and uniformly distributed seismic risk. It is classified as Zone 3 by the Protezione Civile.Climate
Treviglio's climate is characterized by hot summers and cold winters, often accompanied by fog and one or more snowfalls annually. Autumn and spring bring extended periods of rain.Like the rest of the Po Valley, Treviglio experiences minimal wind activity at ground level due to the region's geographical configuration. Wind speeds typically remain below 0.5 m/s, decreasing further in winter.
According to the Italian climate classification system, Treviglio is in Zone E with 2,237 DD.
The climate is monitored by the local Protezione Civile's weather station.
Etymology
The name Treviglio derives from Trevillae, referring to three rural communities that merged for defensive purposes. Portoli, Pisgnano, and Cusarola united to form a fortified center called Trivillium.The village's prosperity was later denoted by the addition of the term Grassum.
A less likely theory suggests the name comes from the Latin Trivium, meaning a crossroads of three roads, known as a trivium. This hypothesis is plausible, as the original castrum vetus was built at the intersection of three roads leading to the three original settlements.
Throughout history, the city has been known by various names, including Trivilio, Trevì, Trevino, and Trevilio, before ultimately adopting Treviglio as its official name.
History
Origins
Treviglio's origins trace back to the Early Middle Ages, with evidence of earlier settlements, formed by the unification of three pre-existing villae from which the name derives: Cusarola, of Gallic origin to the north; Pisgnano, of Roman origin to the south; and Portoli, of Lombard origin to the west, a port near the Adda River.This unification was gradual, making it impossible to pinpoint an exact founding date. The initial settlement was enclosed by defensive walls, with three distinct gates oriented toward the original settlements. The merger aimed to enhance defense and share agricultural resources.
The earliest official document mentioning the new village dates to November 964, a land swap contract between Odelrico, the Bishop of Bergamo, and Garibaldo of Stagiano. It involved the sale of several pertiche of land.
Treviglio's early administrative structure involved the direct election of twenty consuls from each of the three original villages, totaling 60 consuls. These consuls served six-month terms, ensuring all citizens had a turn in governance.
Middle Ages
Around the year 1000, Treviglio's population grew with the arrival of residents from Oriano, a municipality near Brescia destroyed during conflicts between Arduin of Ivrea and Henry II over the Italian crown. These newcomers settled in the southeast, prompting an expansion of the walls and the addition of a fourth gate, named Oriano.After a period of dependence on the San Simpliciano Monastery in Milan, Treviglio gained autonomy from the Empire and later the Visconti family, becoming directly dependent on the Imperial Chamber and subsequently the Milan Senate. From 1395 to 1789, it was a "separate territory of the Duchy of Milan," except for brief periods of Venetian control, when Venice had conquered most of Bergamo's territory.
The final Venetian occupation ended on 8 May 1509, with the sacking and burning of Treviglio, then home to over 13,000 inhabitants. This event shocked Louis XII, who, observing the flames from across the Adda in Cassano, crossed the river and decisively defeated the Venetians at Agnadello. From then on, the Gera d'Adda was firmly tied to Milan, and Venice halted its mainland expansion.
In 1522, during the war between Francis I of France and Emperor Charles V for European dominance, Treviglio faced another threat of sacking but was spared. Chronicles attribute the town's salvation to the miraculous weeping of a Madonna fresco in the Augustinian monastery. French general Odet de Foix, Viscount of Lautrec, reportedly laid down his helmet and sword at the Virgin's feet on 27 February, ordering his troops to withdraw.
During the Spanish period, Treviglio was declared a fief and put up for auction, but its fiercely independent citizens opposed the measure. After losing a legal battle against the Milan Senate, they raised lire between 1612 and 1664 to buy back their village.
In 1758, reforms by Empress Maria Theresa replaced Treviglio's democratic system with an oligarchy of landowners. The old consulate was replaced by a 16-member Regency, with routine administration handled by a five-member Property Assessment Board composed of the wealthiest landowners.
Its current location in the province of Bergamo dates back to 1798 when the Jacobin revolutionaries established it.
Symbols
Municipal coat of arms and banner
The symbol of the municipality is its coat of arms, officially recognized by a decree of the Head of Government, Prime Minister, and Secretary of State on 4 December 1932. The coat of arms features three animals: two lions symbolizing the citizens, an eagle representing the Ghibelline imperial past, and a pig denoting prosperity. Other elements include a tower representing the city and silver, another symbol of prosperity.Blazon of the coat of arms:
The symbol appears above the main entrance of the municipal palace and traces of it remain on the bell tower, where it was once displayed below the clock face. The two lions rampant beneath the tower are still visible there.
The civic banner, granted by a Presidential Decree on 22 April 1980, is a "white cloth"; previously, a tricolour banner of green, red, and white was used.