Marzolara
Marzolara: a small village at the foot of the Parma Apennines
Marzolara is a small village located at the foot of the Parma Apennines in the municipality of Calestano, in the province of Parma. With a distance of 4.71 km from the capital, Marzolara is located on a hilltop at an altitude of 323m above sea level, on the right bank of the Baganza stream.
A history that goes back a long way
The history of Marzolara dates back to the Neolithic period, around 5000 BC, as evidenced by the discovery of some stone tools. In the Middle Ages, Marzolara became part of the fiefdom of Calestano, an important strategic center in the area that also included the castles of Alpicella and Vigolone. In 1445, Count Giannantonio Fieschi donated all the lands of Marzolara to the rector of the Old Hospital of Parma, Cristoforo Borgarelli. In 1650, the fiefs of Marzolara, Calestano, Vigolone, and Canesano were alienated by Count Carlo Leone and Claudio Fieschi to Count Camillo Tarasconi. In 1805, Napoleon decreed the abolition of the fiefs, and Marzolara became a fraction of the municipality of Calestano.
A small architectural gem
The Church of San Pietro and Santa Maria della Pace is a small Romanesque church, first mentioned in 1230. The church was renovated in the fifteenth century and then adapted as a parish hall in 1915, when the new large temple with two adjacent chapels was built. In 1928, the eclectic facade was designed by the architect Camillo Uccelli, and between 1950 and 1962, four more chapels and two service rooms were added. In 1963, the church was decorated internally by Manlio Manuati, and in 1969, it was elevated to a diocesan sanctuary dedicated to Mary, mother of Jesus. In 2008, the church was struck by an earthquake and was renovated between 2010 and 2013.
A tourist destination
Marzolara was once a destination for skiing tourism thanks to the Parma-Marzolara tramway, inaugurated in 1910 to connect the city to the village. The line remained active until 1952. In the following years, the village attracted more and more inhabitants thanks to its position on the outskirts of the first Apennine reliefs, to the detriment of the mountain villages that gradually depopulated.
Conclusions
Marzolara is a delightful village located at the foot of the Parma Apennines, whose history dates back to the Neolithic period. The Church of San Pietro and Santa Maria della Pace is a small architectural gem that has undergone many renovations and was elevated to a diocesan sanctuary in 1969. Marzolara was once a destination for skiing tourism thanks to the Parma-Marzolara tramway and continues to attract more and more inhabitants who appreciate its panoramic position on the outskirts of the Apennine reliefs. If you are looking for a break from the hustle and bustle of the city, Marzolara is definitely a place worth visiting.
