Custoza (; ) is a northern Italian village and hamlet () of Sommacampagna, a municipality in the province of Verona, Veneto. As of 2011, its population was 812.
History
The name of the village is derived from Latin ('protection' or 'wardenship'), since it was originally built as a watchtower over the Via Postumia. The earliest mention of Custoza is in a document dating from March 1185.
The location is famous for two battles fought during the Italian Independence Wars: the first in 1848 and the second in 1866, both against the Austrian Empire.History of Sommacampagna (municipal website) In memory of them, the architect Giacomo Franco built the Ossuary of Custoza (), a war grave and memorial building opened in 1879.The Ossuary of Custoza on tourism.verona.it
Geography Custoza is a rural village located in the southwestern corner of its municipality, next to Villafranca di Verona (6 km south), Valeggio sul Mincio (7 km west), and Tione dei Monti river. It is 5 km from Sommacampagna, 10 from Sona and Caselle, 12 from Verona-Villafranca Airport and 20 from Verona city centre.
The village consists of a central settlement and 3 detached, but close, quarters: Valbusa (west – ), Gorgo (east – ) and Bellavista (south – ). Its territory includes the surrounding little localities of Bagolina, Balconi Rossi, Coronini,mainly in the municipal territory of Villafranca di Verona Marognalonga, Monte Godio, Sgaripola and Vantini.
Main sights Ossuary of Custoza, built in 1879. St. Peter in Vinculis Church, built in the 18th century.The parish church of St. Peter, Custoza (terredelcustoza.com) The churches of the municipality of Sommacampagna Villa Ottolini Pignatti Murano, built in the 17th century.The villas of the municipality of Sommacampagna House of the Sardinian Drummer-Boy (), historical site related to the 1848 battle.Tamburino Sardo trail (municipal website)
Gastronomy
The Bianco di Custoza ("Custoza White"), also known simply as "Custoza", is an Italian DOC wine produced in the countryside around the village.Custoza Wine Consortium website Bianco di Custoza on quattrocalici.it
Gallery
See also First Italian War of Independence Third Italian War of Independence
References
External links
Web Site: Custoza Ossuary Custoza on tuttocitta.it Custoza Wine Consortium website