Sanguinaro
Exploring Sanguinaro: history, monuments and landscape
Hi everyone! Today I want to talk to you about Sanguinaro, a small hamlet located between Fontanellato and Noceto, in the province of Parma. The name of the village, very suggestive, is said to refer to a battle that took place in the 12th century in which so much blood was spilled that the wheels of a mill turned three times. In reality, according to experts, the reddish color of the water in the stream that runs through the area is due to the iron-rich soil.
But Sanguinaro is not just this: it is a locality with a very interesting past, which is connected to the Via Francigena, the route followed by pilgrims from Northern Europe towards Rome, and where the church of Saints Simon and Jude, with a Romanesque architecture, was built. Next to the church, two hospitals were established, intended for the poor and pilgrims, directed by the knights of the Order of the Hospitaller Knights of Saint John of Jerusalem.
The territory of Sanguinaro was the scene of frequent disputes between Parma and Fidenza, the two medieval municipalities that administered the area at that time, and here violent battles took place in the 12th century, particularly in 1148, 1152 and 1198. This last year saw the construction of the castle, built by the Municipality of Parma for defensive purposes. The castle was destroyed by troops from Piacenza in 1219, along with the village of Sanguinaro.
In 1249, the fiefdom passed to Marquess Oberto II Pallavicino, who rebuilt the castle, then captured in 1314 by Giberto III da Correggio. In 1322, the Pallavicino marquises recaptured the manor, but set it on fire, and since then the castle was never rebuilt. In 1431, the village was abandoned by its inhabitants in protest against the taxes imposed by the Municipality of Parma.
But Sanguinaro is not just its violent history: the landscape is enchanting, and the church of Saints Simon and Jude is definitely worth a visit. The church was modified by the Hospitaller Knights in the late 15th century and in 1578, and was abandoned by the Knights of Malta in 1798 due to the Napoleonic suppression of religious orders. In 1864, the church passed to private ownership and was renovated between 1910 and 1915, with the construction of the new facade with the portico and the attached rectory.
Of the original building, the apse area still preserves precious Gothic frescoes and the large crypt, divided into three naves developed over five bays beyond the transept and the three apses.
In short, Sanguinaro truly hides many surprises, including history, landscape and monuments, and is definitely worth a visit!
