Ponte Taro
Ponte Taro: A Small Hamlet with a Fascinating History
If you're looking for a peaceful place to relax near Parma, Ponte Taro is the right choice for you. This small hamlet, inhabited by 3626 people, is located west of the Taro river and stretches between Fontevivo, Noceto, and Parma.
Physical Geography
Ponte Taro develops in a flat manner, along the course of the Taro river. Right here, between Ponte Taro and Fornovo di Taro, is the Regional Taro River Park, a beautiful protected natural area.
Origin of the Name
The name of this locality derives from the famous bridge over the Taro river, which was built in Roman times and later reconstructed in 1821. This bridge is the true symbol of the area.
History
The first traces of human settlements in Ponte Taro date back to the Neolithic period, when a village was built on the right bank of the Taro river. In Roman times, the first bridge of the Aemilia road to cross the river was built, which was destroyed by a flood in 1235 and reconstructed in 1170.
Later on, the force of the water made it difficult to construct other bridges in the Taro area, until the construction of the new bridge, opened in 1821 on the initiative of the Duchess Maria Luigia.
In the Middle Ages, the hamlet developed on the right bank of the watercourse, near the castle of Castelguelfo. The territory was then assigned to the Cistercian monks of the Fontevivo Abbey.
Monuments and Places of Interest
The Bridge over the Taro is certainly the main point of interest. It was built by engineer Antonio Cocconcelli on the initiative of the Duchess Maria Luigia, and represented until 2004 the only man-made structure to cross the watercourse on the Emilia road. Spanning 565.5 meters, with 20 arches, it is decorated with four statues representing the main watercourses of the Parma province.
Moreover, Ponte Taro is surrounded by beautiful landscapes and natural beauty. The Regional Taro River Park offers excellent walks and outdoor activities, while the town center has recently been revitalized thanks to the construction of the new Northwest Parma Ring road.
Conclusion
Ponte Taro is a small hamlet with a fascinating history. The presence of the bridge over the Taro river has been an important connection between Parma and the rest of the province since Roman times. Today, Ponte Taro is an excellent destination for those who wish to enjoy a relaxing vacation immersed in the nature and tranquility of the Parma countryside.
