Salvaterra
Welcome to Salvaterra, an ancient hamlet of Casalgrande
Hello everyone! Today I want to tell you about one of the most charming hamlets of Casalgrande, Salvaterra. Located near the border with the province of Modena, this locality has about 4000 inhabitants and is crossed by the Secchia river.
History of Salvaterra
The origins of Salvaterra date back to the 9th-10th century, when an ancient settlement called Cerreto developed along the left bank of the Secchia river. Later on, the Court of Cerreto became the Court of San Salvatore, giving rise to one of the hypotheses about the origin of the name of Salvaterra. The other hypothesis, instead, suggests that in the past the village was preserved from floods or destruction.
Certainly, Salvaterra has a past full of events that have marked its history. The locality has been mentioned in numerous imperial diplomas and, in the Topographical Dictionary of Girolamo Tiraboschi, it is listed with its Court of Cerreto.
Monuments and points of interest in Salvaterra
Probably, one of the most important monuments in Salvaterra is the parish church dedicated to Christ the Savior. Here, you can admire various works of art by authors such as Girolamo Massarini and Orazio Talami.
The canvas traditionally attributed to Guido Reni, ''The Madonna with Folded Hands'', is instead very probably a 17th-century copy of the ''Praying Madonna'' by Giovanni Battista Salvi, known as Sassoferrato, preserved in Rome in the Doria Pamphilj Gallery.
Also, the Madonna del Cucito, signed and dated 1681, is a work of great beauty. Not immune to influences from other artists, the little angels holding the curtain at the top and the Saints Joseph and Elizabeth are less carefully executed compared to the Madonna, Baby Jesus, and St. John, which are instead treated with greater care.
Finally, ''The Madonna with Child appearing to St. Philip Neri'' by Orazio Talami is poorly documented, but would date back to 1673.
Conclusions
Salvaterra is a place full of history and charm, where it is possible to admire artistic treasures of inestimable value. I recommend taking a walk through its streets and visiting the parish church of Christ the Savior, where you can admire the works of the great artists who have made this locality famous.
