Collagna
The History of Collagna
Collagna is a small municipality of 942 inhabitants located in the Reggio Emilia Apennines, in the province of Reggio Emilia in Emilia-Romagna. The town has a long and interesting history. It is mentioned for the first time in a document from 1153, when it was part of a small faction with other nearby villages. In 1237, its inhabitants would have submitted to the rule of Reggio Emilia. In the sixteenth century, Collagna became the fiefdom of the Ferrarese family of Brusantini, one of whose members, Paolo, would be immortalized in the famous work by Alessandro Tassoni, La secchia rapita. In 1788, the municipality had a population of 341 people. After the restoration, it was annexed to Busana and only with the unification of Italy did it become an independent municipality again.
The Earthquake and Its Consequences
On September 7, 1920, a violent earthquake struck Collagna, destroying or damaging many buildings. This event had long-term consequences on the town's population. Many Collagnesi emigrated to Reggio and the plain, causing a sharp decline in population in just a few decades. However, this period of change also brought new activities, mainly related to mass tourism. In the 1960s, in fact, the ski resort of Cerreto Laghi was inaugurated.
The Merger with Ventasso
The referendum of May 31, 2015 sanctioned the merger of Ramiseto with the neighboring municipalities of Busana, Ramiseto, and Ligonchio, creating the municipality of Ventasso. This decision also had effects on the Coat of Arms of Collagna.
The Coat of Arms of Collagna
The Coat of Arms of Collagna, granted in 1988, reproduced the coat of arms of the Vallisneri family, to which the municipality had been subject. However, to differentiate it from the arms of the ancient feudal lords, the municipality replaced the walking greyhound with a standing dog and removed the ancient coronet that crowned the eagle.
Physical Geography
Collagna is located in the Reggio Emilia Apennines in the Secchia valley, 65 km south of Reggio Emilia. It borders on the Tuscan municipalities of Fivizzano, Comano, and Sillano Giuncugnano to the south. The municipality's territory is included in the Tosco-Emiliano National Park and is part of the Reggio Emilia Apennines Mountain Community.
Conclusions
Collagna is a small municipality with a long and interesting history. Although it had to face the consequences of a devastating earthquake, it was able to adapt to the changes of the times, becoming a popular tourist destination. The merger with Ventasso has also had effects on the identity of the municipality, but this has not detracted from the beauty and richness of its historical and natural heritage.
