The town's name derives from the name of a church dedicated to St. Boniface, of which today there are no remains, built by the Marquis of Milo Motta and destroyed in 1243 by Ezzelino Romano. Municipality in the province of Verona, located on the border with the province of Vicenza, its territories are crossed by the stream Tramigna that flows into the Alpone.
Scholars attest that there the Motta highlands were already inhabited since ancient times. The Romans, who colonized the area, have left considerable traces of their presence, with a major road network, including Via Postumia, and the subdivision of the farmlands in centuries. After the Fall of Rome, the territories was subject to the conquest of the Barbarians, including the Lombards. The Benedictines, who settled here, between the VI and VII centuries, built the Abbey of Villanova, and with the help of the local population, reclaimed a large marsh area and made it suitable for cultivation. The area belonged to the Marquis Milo and his descendants for about two hundred years. Under the domain of the Della Scala, the territory was assigned to the Captaincy of Soave and became the seat of the Vicariate. Under Venetian rule, trade intensified and the town grew considerably.
Attractions:
- the VII century Benedictine Abbey of San Pietro Villanova, built in Romanesque style, features three naves and apses. Inside are preserved frescoes from the school of Giotto, depicting St. Benedict, an important XVIII century fresco and a XV century altarpiece. The floor of crypt features decorative elements of the Roman era and the surrounding walls are superbly frescoed. The Bell Tower, located on the left-hand side, has an XI century base, probably remains of an ancient defensive tower and features a series of XV century mullioned windows and is topped by a spire. Next to the church is located the Monastery, recently restored and today seat of the Geo-Paleo Museum;
- the Cathedral of Santa Maria Maggiore, originally built in the early XII century and rebuilt in the first half of the XV, was later enlarged in the XIX century. It features a single nave plan with six side altars, flanked by a Bell Tower, adorned by a Roman altar;
- the XV century Church of Sant'Abbondio in Motta, built on the ruins of a former church, in Romanesque style, features a single nave plan. Inside are preserved precious frescoes, paintings and other fine works of art;
- the XVII century Church of San Biagio, which features a polygonal shaped interior, richly frescoed;
- the XVII century Parish Church of Lobia;
- the XVIII century Villa Carlotta, a three-storey historical building with an attic;
- Villa Scudellari;
- Villa Gritti.