Montericco
Montericco: a land of history and natural beauty
Montericco, also known as ''Muntréch'' in the Reggio Emilia dialect, is a hamlet of the municipality of Albinea, in the province of Reggio Emilia. This magical place is located on the first hills of Reggio Emilia, and offers a breathtaking view of the Po Valley. The hamlet is made up of a series of small scattered nuclei, including Castello, Chiesa, La Russia, La Scaparra, La Vitala and San Geminiano.
A brief history of Montericco
This small hamlet has an ancient and fascinating history. In the 10th century, the castle of Montericco belonged to the bishop of Reggio. In 1243, it was conquered by the Da Fogliano. In 1367, the castle was assigned to the Manfredi, one of the most important families of that period. In 1506, Ludovico Ariosto was appointed cleric of the parish of Montericco.
Places of interest
Montericco is rich in monuments and places of interest. Among the religious buildings, the millennial Church of Santa Maria dell'Oliveto stands out, already a parish seat with an ex-convent used as a health structure (hospice), the Oratory of San Geminiano (from the Matildic era), and the Sanctuary of the Blessed Virgin of Lourdes, in neo-Gothic architecture, built between 1896 and 1898 to a design by architect Carlo Barbieri.
Among the civil buildings, there is Villa Tacoli. Finally, among the military architectures, there is the Castle of Montericco, in which the current building, restored in 1927, dates back to the 14th century.
The gastronomy of Montericco
The particular geographical position of Montericco gives the area a mild climate particularly favorable to fruit and wine crops. The Lambrusco Reggiano and the Traditional Balsamic Vinegar of Reggio Emilia are the most prized productions obtained from these crops.
The town is famous among wine enthusiasts for the Lambrusco di Montericco, a particular late-ripening clone of Lambrusco. The denomination is part of the Doc "Reggiano". Lambrusco di Montericco is a sparkling red wine with an intense ruby color, fresh and low in alcohol.
Curiosities of Montericco
Thanks to the particular climatic conditions of Montericco, it is possible to admire the olive trees planted in the 17th century by the city parishes. They had gardens and farms in the area, not so much for food use (since the fruit ripens late and is of poor quality), but to produce oil for votive lamps.
Conclusions
Montericco is a charming place that offers various activities and places to visit. Its panoramic position on the hills of Reggio Emilia and the mild climate allow the production of precious wines and other gastronomic specialties. The hamlet is also rich in history and monuments, such as the millennial Church of Santa Maria dell'Oliveto and the Castle of Montericco, which dates back to the 10th century. In short, this town has a lot to offer to anyone who wants to discover the beauty of Emilia-Romagna.
