Casalmaggiore
Casalmaggiore, the city of Po
Hello everyone! Today I want to talk to you about Casalmaggiore, a municipality located in the province of Cremona, Lombardy. The city has around 14,982 inhabitants and is situated on the border with the provinces of Mantua and Parma. One of the main features of Casalmaggiore is the presence of the Po river, which has been both a valuable ally and a tough opponent to face in the past.
An ancient and unique history
There are still many uncertainties about the origin of Casalmaggiore, but it is known to date back to the Roman era when it was called "Castra Majora". Over the centuries, the city has undergone various dominations, including those of Estense and Venice. It was under the control of the Serenissima that Casalmaggiore was able to develop as an important commercial crossroads thanks to its strategic location.
Autonomous statutes
One of the curiosities related to the history of Casalmaggiore is that of the Statutes. In 1500, the city obtained from the Serenissima the ratification of its own Statutes, which made it autonomous from the jurisdiction of Cremona. These Statutes contained the fundamental laws of the municipality and corporations and represented the fruit of centuries of local magistrates' customs and efforts.
A territory rich in ancient settlements
Despite the lack of certainty about the origins, numerous finds confirm the presence of settlements in Casalmaggiore since the Bronze Age. One of these is the Enea Casali Station, discovered in 1970 in the Sanctuary of the Fontana. The fraction of Fossacaprara has also delivered many interesting artefacts about the city's ancient history.
Places of interest
If you come to visit Casalmaggiore, I recommend not missing some of the city's places of interest. Among these, the Estense Castle, one of the testimonies of the Estense domination. Another place to visit is the Church of San Giovanni Battista, an ancient place of worship that housed an image of the Madonna and an inscription confirming the existence of the city in the past.
Events and culture
Casalmaggiore is also a city rich in events and culture. One of the unmissable events is the International Music Festival, which takes place annually in June. The event presents musical shows of all genres and involves artists from all over the world. But it is not the only important event: there are many other initiatives that animate city life during the year.
Conclusion
In short, Casalmaggiore is a city rich in history and charm, a place where the presence of the Po river creates a particular and suggestive atmosphere. If you have the opportunity to visit it, do not hesitate to do so: I'm sure you will be fascinated!
