Camposanto
Camposanto: an Italian municipality in the Modena plain
Camposanto is a small municipality located in the province of Modena, northeast of the capital. With a population of 3,297 inhabitants, it is part of the Union of Modena Municipalities in the North Area. The territory of Camposanto is characterized by the low Modena plain and borders municipalities such as San Felice sul Panaro, Medolla, Finale Emilia, Crevalcore, Ravarino, and Bomporto.
Physical geography
Territory
The territory of Camposanto extends over a flat surface. Thanks to its geographical location, the municipality enjoys a continental climate typical of the Po Valley, with moderately cold winters, little rain, and foggy days. Summers, on the other hand, are hot and extremely humid, especially in the months of July and August, with an increase in thunderstorm precipitation. Spring and autumn are generally rainier, but characterized by mild temperatures and higher humidity.
Climate
Camposanto belongs to Zone E and Zone 3 of the climatic classification of Italian municipalities.
History
Camposanto has a rich history of events. In 1551-1552, during the War of Parma, the municipality played a strategic role since the Pope and the Empire sought to eliminate the annoying foothold behind them formed by Mirandola. The city, thanks to the formidable fortifications built by Galeotto Pico, resisted superior forces until the killing of the Pope's nephew, which convinced the old Julius III to abandon the enterprise. The siege of Mirandola and the phases that preceded it were described by Antonio Saltini in the historical novel "The Siege of Mirandola. Life, War, and Love in the Time of Pico and Pope Julius," published in 2004.
In 1743, the same zone was the battlefield where the fierce Battle of Camposanto took place between the Spanish army and the Austro-Piedmontese one. The battle ended with the withdrawal of defeated Spanish troops.
Camposanto was affected by the earthquakes of Emilia in 2012, which caused considerable damage to buildings and agricultural production. Moreover, the municipality made the news on January 27, 2013, when the mayor Antonella Baldini was hit in the face by an egg thrown during a protest against the Prime Minister of the Italian Republic Mario Monti, who had gone to nearby Mirandola to commemorate the earthquake victims.
Conclusions
Camposanto is a small but fascinating municipality in the province of Modena, located in the beautiful Modena plain. Its history reflects the vicissitudes and adventures of the Italian people, and the territory offers many opportunities to discover the surrounding nature and countryside.
