Pedemonte

Territory

Covering an area of just over 1,200 hectares (12 km²), Pedemonte is one of the smallest municipalities in the Province of Vicenza. It is situated on the left bank of the Astico River, which separates it from the municipality of Lastebasse, at the foot of steep, wooded slopes rising toward the plateaus of Lavarone and Luserna. Level ground is found only on the valley floor and on a few terraces, which were historically used for agriculture.

The lower slopes are covered mainly by European hop-hornbeam and downy oak, while the upper elevations are dominated by European beech, silver fir, and Norway spruce. Along the stream between Giaconi and Carotte, the vegetation consists primarily of willow shrubs.

The traditional subsistence agriculture that once characterized Pedemonte has largely disappeared. Evidence of this former agricultural landscape remains in the terraced hillsides, where fruit trees and small vineyards were cultivated. The vineyards inspired elements of the municipal coat of arms. Livestock farming has also declined significantly, leading to the closure of local processing facilities, including two dairy cooperatives.

Following the Second World War, the large-scale emigration that had marked the first half of the 20th century came to an end. Many former emigrants returned to the municipality and contributed to the development of a local artisan economy. After 1965, about twenty businesses were established, many of them in a purpose-built artisan and industrial area.