Madregolo
Hello everyone! Today I want to talk to you about a small and charming village located in the province of Parma: Madregolo.
Origins of the Name
The original name of this locality was not Madregolo, but "Macretulo". Later it was called "Matricule" from the Latin "Vicus Mecritulus" which means "lean, infertile place". This denomination was due to the proximity of the Taro River, which often flooded the territory and made it unsuitable for permanent crops. However, the area was in contrast to the nearby Vicofertile, from the Latin "Vicus Fertilis", which means "fertile village".
History
Madregolo was born during the Bronze Age, and traces of a pile-dwelling village are preserved in the area now called "Toriazzo". In Roman times, the territory was certainly inhabited, as demonstrated by the subdivision of the land and the current road network that still follows the geometric pattern of the ancient centuriation. In the Middle Ages, thanks to the presence of the ford on the Taro River of the Via Francigena, the area acquired increasing importance building the Church of San Martino (Collecchio, Madregolo) Romanesque architecture and the castle of Madregolo. The castle began to be built in the 11th century and in 1081 the bishop of Parma acquired the rights to Madregolo given by the Holy Roman Emperor, Henry IV of Franconia. At the end of the 14th century, the diocese assigned the fiefdom to Ugolotto Biancardo. In 1404, the Rossi of Parma attacked the castle, taking it and then a few days later, after the conquest of the castle of Felino by Ottobuono de' Terzi, Biancardo regained possession of the fortress, where he died in 1408. In 1421, the Duke of Milan, Filippo Maria Visconti, ordered the Sanvitale to immediately destroy the castle during their lordship over the area. In 1495, during the battle of Fornovo, Milanese troops set up camp in Madregolo.
Monuments and Places of Interest
Church of San Martino
The Church of San Martino was probably built in the 12th century, after the destruction of the Garfagnana parish due to a catastrophic flood of the Taro River. The Romanesque building was almost completely rebuilt in Baroque style in 1636, reusing part of the materials of the ancient building. The bell tower of the church currently houses four capitals depicting the "Evangelists", dating back to the 12th century. Inside, various paintings from different historical periods can be admired. The altarpiece depicting "San Martino and the Poor" is undoubtedly one of the most valuable artistic elements that can be seen in this church.
Madregolo is now home to craft, agricultural, and industrial activities. Thanks to the canalization and reclamation of the surrounding areas, the area is now far from the risk of floods and has undergone considerable industrial development. Despite the evolution of the area, Madregolo has managed to maintain its rural charm, becoming the ideal destination for those who want to enjoy a holiday surrounded by the tranquility of nature and history.
I hope you enjoyed this brief journey through the history and places of Madregolo. See you next time!
