Arola
Discovering Arola: history, monuments and places of interest
Hello everyone, today I will talk about Arola, a small geographical hamlet of Langhirano, in the province of Parma. If you are looking for a peaceful place immersed in nature, Arola might be just what you are looking for!
Physical geography
Arola is located at the foot of the Parma Apennines, on the left bank of the Parma river. The upper part of the hamlet is situated on a plateau from which you can enjoy a panoramic view of the valley.
Name origins
The name Arola comes from the term "areola", which means "small courtyard". This name is linked to the location of the hamlet, on the borders of the Roman centuriation of the plain of Parma.
History
The history of Arola has ancient roots, dating back to the Roman era. In the 6th century, the Church of San Martino was built, dedicated to St. Martin of Tours. However, the first certain evidence of its existence dates back only to 1094, although some historians hypothesize that the church mentioned in the Ordo Archipresbiterorum Plebium of 1005 may correspond to the building in Arola.
In 1818, an earthquake with a magnitude of 5.3 struck the area, causing two deaths in Arola and the collapse of much of the Church of San Martino. Afterwards, the Church of San Martino, a neoclassical building completed in 1860, was built.
Monuments and places of interest
But now let's move on to the monuments and places of interest that can be visited in Arola!
Church of San Martino
The Church of San Martino was built between 1858 and 1860 to replace the church that collapsed in 1818. Designed by engineer Soliani, the neoclassical church was restored and decorated internally between 1955 and 1958. Although damaged by the earthquake of 1983, the Church of San Martino was consolidated and restructured in 1985 and externally renovated in 2012. Inside, you can admire the altarpiece depicting St. Martin and St. Bernard in a landscape and the Madonna in glory by Pier Antonio Bernabei, recovered from the ancient Church.
Church of San Martino
The Church of San Martino is considered one of the oldest in the province of Parma. Perhaps built as early as the 6th century, it was decorated with frescoes by Giovanni Maria Conti della Camera and Pier Antonio Bernabei in 1602. After the earthquake of 1818, much of the church collapsed and was transformed into a storage unit for the adjacent cemetery. However, at the end of the 20th century, the church was restored and renovated, making it visitable again.
Villa Pallavicini
Finally, in Arola there is also Villa Pallavicini, built in the early 17th century at the request of the Boscoli marquises. The villa, which was part of a large estate, was purchased in the 18th century by the Duke of Lébrun. In the 19th century, the villa was bought by Marquis Adalberto Pallavicino, then sold to Baron Roberto Baracco and subsequently to the counts Zileri-Dal Verme. The villa, a neoclassical building, has been modified several times over the centuries. Today, it is used as a venue for ceremonies.
In conclusion, Arola is an interesting tourist destination for those who love history, art and nature. By visiting the Church of San Martino, the Church of San Martino and Villa Pallavicini, you can discover a bit of the history and culture of the area. If you are in the vicinity of Parma, do not miss the opportunity to visit Arola!
