Gavardo

For other uses, see Gavardo (disambiguation).

Gavardo (Brescian: Gaàrt) is a city and comune in the province of Brescia, in Lombardy. As of 2011 Gavardo had a population of 11,786.^[2]

Gavardo Gaàrt
Comune
Comune di Gavardo
Gavardo in winter
Gavardo Location of Gavardo in Italy Show map of Italy Gavardo Gavardo (Lombardy) Show map of Lombardy
Coordinates: 45°35′15″N 10°26′20″E
Country	Italy
Region	Lombardy
Province	Brescia (BS)
Frazioni	Limone, Sopraponte, Soprazzocco
Area [1]
• Total	29.508 km2 (11.393 sq mi)
Elevation	199 m (653 ft)
Population  (31 December 2011)[2]
• Total	11,786
• Density	399.42/km2 (1,034.5/sq mi)
Demonym	Gavardesi
Time zone	UTC+1 (CET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code	25085
Dialing code	0365
ISTAT code	017077
Patron saint	San Filippo and Giacomo il Minore
Saint day	3 May
Website	Official website

Cyclist Marco Frapporti and Italian football striker Cristiana Girelli were born here.

Location

Gavardo, located in the lower Valle Sabbia northeast of Brescia, is the most populous town in the area. Characterized by a hilly landscape surrounded by mountains and crossed by the Chiese and Naviglio Grande Bresciano rivers.^[3] Elevation is approximately 199 m a.s.l., with the lowest point at 188 m and the highest at 877 m a.s.l. Most of the urban settlement is located along the plain surrounding the Chiese River, while a few small hamlets are located on the surrounding reliefs.^[4]

History

Gavardo is at just 9 km from Lake Garda and is a renowned wool production center. The name has a Celtic origin and means "river". In its territory ancient Neolithic settlements are evidenced by documents, while in the Middle Ages it was an important commercial and pilgrimage centre under the control of Abbey of Leno at first, then ceded to the bishops of Brescia.^[5]

Archaeological evidence shows Neolithic and later prehistoric settlement in the area of the Valle Sabbia, including the Gavardo area. Museo Archeologico della Valle Sabbia displays finds from the Paleolithic, Mesolithic, Neolithic, Bronze and Iron Ages^[6]

Bombardment of the Gavardo

On 29 January 1945 about 13:29 local time, eight Allied aircraft (P-47D Thunderbolts) attacked the town of Gavardo in the Province of Brescia, Lombardy, Italy. The target was a bridge across the river Chiese and the “Naviglio” canal, used by Axis forces to move heavy vehicles. The bombs missed the bridge but struck an entire central block in the historic town center, killing around 52 civilians (some sources say 51) and injuring over 100. The raid is noted as the third deadliest air-raid in the province of Brescia during WWII.The town commemorates the event annually; exhibitions and memorial initiatives are held to remember the victims.^[7][8]