Metti
Discovering Metti: a small hamlet surrounded by nature
If you're looking for a quiet place surrounded by nature where you can relax and forget about the noise of the city, Metti might be the right place for you. It is a small geographical hamlet located in the municipality of Bore, in the province of Parma, which is only 1.65 km away from the capital and about 60 km from the city of Parma.
Physical Geography
Metti is located in the Parma Apennines, at an altitude of 579 m above sea level in the valley of the Cenedola stream, a left tributary of the Ceno. The area is characterized by the presence of woods and meadows that surround the hamlet, offering numerous opportunities for hiking and cycling enthusiasts.
History
Metti has a long and interesting history. In Roman times, together with the nearby Pozzolo, it was one of the main centers of the Cenedola valley, as can be seen from the imperial "Tabula alimentaria traianea". Over the centuries, the area was affected by wars and conflicts between the Lombards and the Byzantine Empire, ending up being devastated in the 9th century by the Hungarians. At that time, the Castle of the Bears was built in the surrounding area of Metti.
In 1180, the inhabitants of Metti asked to be recognized as an autonomous parish, but they did not succeed. Only in 1352, the parish of Metti, still dependent on Castell'Arquato, came under the jurisdiction of the parish of Iggio, located in the territory of Pellegrino Parmense. During the 14th century, the parish was erected as an independent parish.
One of the most important buildings in the area is the canton house, which was built at the behest of Maria Luisa d'Asburgo-Lorena on the road to Genoa that headed to the Passo di Centocroci. This canton house gave rise to the first nucleus of the current capital, initially called Bore di Metti.
Only in 1919 were Metti and Pozzolo separated from the municipality of Pellegrino Parmense to form an autonomous municipality called Metti e Pozzolo, which was renamed Bore di Metti in 1920. In 1932, recognizing the growing importance that the locality of Bore had assumed at the commercial level, the municipality was renamed Bore and Metti became a simple hamlet.
Monuments and places of interest
Metti has a nucleus consisting of about fifty houses, built mainly of stone, wood and river stones split by hand. In addition to the houses, there are also numerous monuments and places of interest to admire.
Church of San Leonardo Abate
The parish church of San Leonardo is of medieval origin, dating back to the 12th century. The church, threatened by landslides between the 17th and 18th centuries, was rebuilt in a safer location between 1801 and 1825 in neoclassical architecture style. The church is decorated internally with simulated marble pilasters and frescoes on the vaults of the nave, the apsidal presbytery and the six side chapels. Inside it are preserved some works of great value.
Oratory of San Rocco
The oratory of San Rocco was built in Romanesque architecture style probably following the plague of 1524. The place of worship, located in the Pereto locality, was subsequently renovated several times and decorated internally in Baroque architecture style. Clad externally in stone, inside it is adorned with floral and religious paintings on the barrel-vaulted lunette and the walls.
Mulino dei Raffi
The Raffi mill is mentioned already in the 16th century. It is located directly on the Cenedola stream and develops on a square plan. Inside it, the wooden gears are still preserved, while the millstone is moved outside the building. The mill has undergone a major renovation that has allowed to bring back to light its ancient charm.
Conclusions
Metti is a geographical hamlet that deserves to be visited both for its scenic beauty and its history and monuments. It is an ideal place for those seeking tranquility and the opportunity to walk and discover the unspoiled nature of the Parma Apennines. Come to visit us and let yourself be enchanted by the charm of this little pearl of Emilia-Romagna.
