The local historians most reliable opinion is that the town's name derives from the Latin person's name "Salvitius", who probably owned part of the lands, with the addition of the suffix "-anus" which indicates the ownership. The second part of the name refers to the town's location, divided into two area, on and off the banks of the river Bacchiglione.
Municipality in the province of Padua, located near the heights of Mottola and Montecchia, part of the Euganean Hills, the area of Selvazzano Dentro, features also a plain which borders with the lands of the nearby regional capital. The economy is based on small and medium-sized enterprises, mostly specialized in craft and trade.
The discovery of numerous findings from the Bronze Age witnesses the presence of settlements in the area since the VII century B.C., while with the colonization by Rome the area was enhanced with several facilities, designed with innovative and ingenious solutions: important roads were built, elevated from river bed level, to allow its use even during periods of overflow of the river, as well as an aqueduct, of which traces are still visible. The town experienced a strong population growth around the XI century in the Middle Ages and was disputed by several feudal families, including the Da Selvazzano and the Scrovegni. At the beginning of the XV century, during the period of the Serenissima Venetian Republic, the territory was acquired by the Venetian nobles. After a period of rule of Napoleon, Selvazzano became part of the Kingdom of Lombardy-Venetia, and then was incorporated into the Kingdom of Italy.
Attractions:
- the Parish Church of San Michele, which features a very simple medieval gabled façade, flanked by a tall Bell Tower with a square base and a belfry of a different color than the frame, positioned above the façade. Today it is used as an auditorium;
- the Church of San Michele Arcangelo, a modern building, which houses works of art belonging to the ancient church, including a painting of the artist Balestra, one of Palma the Young and a XVII century statue in terracotta;
- the Parish Church of San Domenico;
- Villa Emo in Montecchia, projected by the architect Varotari, features fine frescoes and a beautiful garden embellished with statues of the artist Campagnola;
- the XVI century Ca'Bigolin, a building decorated with precious frescoes of the artist Sustris;
- the late XVI century Ca 'Folco Zambelli in Tencarola;
- Villa Cesarotti in late Renaissance style, surrounded by a park;
- the XI century Castle on the Mottola;
- the Ethnographic Museum of Civilization.