{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2019}} {{more citations needed|date=February 2021}} {{Infobox frazione | name = Monteveglio | native_name = | image_skyline = ABBAZIA DI MONTEVEGLIO.JPG | image_size = 240px | image_map = | image_caption = Abbazia di Santa Maria in Monteveglio | coordinates = {{coord|44|28|0|N|11|5|0|E}} | region = Emilia-Romagna | metropolitan_city = Bologna | comune = Valsamoggia | elevation_footnotes = | elevation_m = 117 | area_footnotes = | area_total_km2 = | population_footnotes = | population_total = 5286 | population_as_of = 2010 | pop_density_footnotes = | gentilic = Montevegliesi | saint = San Rocco | day = August 16th | postal_code = 40050 | area_code = | website = https://www.comune.valsamoggia.bo.it/ | footnotes = }}
'''Monteveglio''' (''Muntvì''<ref>{{cite book|author=AA. VV.|title=Dizionario di toponomastica. Storia e significato dei nomi geografici italiani|date=1996|publisher=Garzanti|location=Milan|page= 424}}</ref> or ''Måntvî''<ref>{{cite book|author=Luigi Lepri & Daniele Vitali|title=Dizionario Bolognese Italiano / Italiano-Bolognese|year=2007|publisher=Pendragon|location=Bologna|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jku3XIqERiEC&pg=PA348|pages=348–354|isbn=978-88-8342-594-3}}</ref> in the western Bolognese dialect) is a ''frazione'' (village) in the ''comune'' (municipality) of Valsamoggia. It is located about {{convert|20|km|mi}} west of Bologna, near the Samoggia River, in the Italian region of Emilia-Romagna. It was an independent ''comune'' until 2014, when it merged with the neighboring municipalities of Bazzano, Valsamoggia, Castello di Serravalle, Crespellano, and Savigno. Monteveglio's main attractions are its pieve of Santa Maria and Oratory of San Rocco.
== Etymology == The name ''Monteveglio'' may have come from the Latin ''mons belli,'' "mountain of war". However, though phonetically feasible, this view lacks documentary evidence, and archaeologically there is no evidence of Roman fortification or a garrison in the area. More likely is that ''Monteveglio'' is a corruption of ''Montebello'', "beautiful mountain". {{citation needed|date=February 2021}}
== History == ===Ancient era===
The lands surrounding the Samoggia River have been inhabited since the Neolithic era, as evidenced by archaeological finds now visible in the Archaeological Museum of Bazzano. Settlement at Monteveglio, however, only certainly dates back to the 1st century AD{{citation needed|date=February 2021}}. At this time, there were Roman villas in the area of the modern abbey. Very little remains of them. Only one building in the village today bears the remains of Roman facades and columns.{{citation needed|date=February 2021}}
===Middle Ages===
During the Middle Ages, Monteveglio, along with other settlements, became part of a system of fortifications between the Samoggia and Panaro rivers, protecting inner Italy from the Lombards until the final conquest of Liutprand in 727.{{citation needed|date=February 2021}} In 728, Monteveglio joined the Duchy of Persiceta.{{citation needed|date=February 2021}}
In the 11th century, Monteveglio was fundamental in Countess Matilda of Tuscany's desperate resistance to Holy Roman Emperor Henry IV's invasion of Italy, after his humiliating defeat to Pope Gregory VII at Canossa.{{citation needed|date=February 2021}} Supposedly, it was the death of the Emperor's son in the battle at Monteveglio that proved the strength of the papal forces and prompted the invaders to retreat.{{citation needed|date=February 2021}}
===21st century===
In 2008, Monteveglio was the first Italian municipality to be recognized as a transition town.{{citation needed|date=February 2021}} Since 2009, it has been part of the Union of Common Samoggia Valleys.{{citation needed|date=February 2021}}
On 25 November 2012, a referendum was held, proposing merging Monteveglio with the neighbouring municipalities of Bazzano, Castello di Serravalle, Crespellano, and Savigno. The result was a "yes" vote of 51.5%. On 1 January 2014 the municipality of Valsamoggia was established.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tuttitalia.it/variazioni-amministrative/nuovo-comune-di-valsamoggia/|title=The Municipality of Valsamoggia (BO)|work=www.tuttitalia.it|access-date=2020-12-18}}</ref>
== Geography == Monteveglio is located in the Bolognese Apennines.<ref name = Sakalis>{{Cite news|url=https://www.italymagazine.com/featured-story/youve-probably-overlooked-bologna-apennines-heres-where-go|title= You’ve Probably Overlooked the Bologna Apennines. Here’s Where to Go.|last=Sakalis|first=Alex|date=18 October 2024|work=Italy Magazine|access-date=25 March 2025}}</ref> The territory is hilly, characterized by extensive forest cover alternating with arable land.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.regioneemiliaromagna.info/aziende/01131/1/colture-viticole-e-aziende-vitivinicole/monteveglio/colture-viticole-e-aziende-vitivinicole-monteveglio.aspx|title=COLTURE VITICOLE E AZIENDE VITIVINICOLE MONTEVEGLIO|website=www.regioneemiliaromagna.info|access-date=2019-10-22}}</ref> There are also badland areas characterized by intense erosion.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.appenninoeverde.it/natura/parchi-naturali/monteveglio.html|title=StackPath|website=www.appenninoeverde.it|access-date=2019-10-22}}</ref> Over the last century, Monteveglio expanded onto the foot of the 260-meter hill on which its abbey and medieval fortifications are located.{{citation needed|date=February 2021}}
"Abbey Hill" and the surrounding 900 hectares<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.emiliaromagnaturismo.com/en/apennines-and-nature/parks/monteveglio.html|title=Regional Park Monteveglio Abbey — Emilia Romagna Tourism|website=www.emiliaromagnaturismo.com|access-date=2019-10-22}}</ref> constitute the "Monteveglio Abbey Regional Park", which is rich in local wildlife, especially birds.
== References == {{Reflist}}
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Category:Cities and towns in Emilia-Romagna Category:Valsamoggia