Sant'antonio In Mercadello
A trip to Sant'Antonio in Mercadello, between history and architecture
Welcome to Sant'Antonio in Mercadello, a small village in the Emilia Romagna region, part of Novi di Modena. Although heavily affected by the earthquake in 2012, this charming place is looking forward to a new rebirth.
Monuments and places of interest
Religious architecture
The church of Sant'Antonio, located in the heart of the village, is a modern building designed by architects Testi and Gasparini from Carpi. Originally built in 1651 as an oratory, it was rebuilt in 1682 and became a parish church in 1951. The main altar was made by Romano Pelloni from Carpi, while the sculptures of Antonio di Padova and Sant'Agnese are by Virgilio Prugger from Ortisei.
On the other hand, the Oratory of the Immaculate Conception was built in 1605 by the Pio family in front of Palazzo Pio di Savoia. This elegant, square-shaped temple with a dome, featuring a frieze with triglyphs and triangular pediments with volutes, was remade according to the design of Manfredo XIII Pio in 1656. Inside, in excellent condition, a polychrome scagliola altar frontal made in 1689 by Giovanni Pozzuoli stands out, depicting the Madonna with the Child and the Pio family coat of arms.
Civil architecture
The Palazzo Pio di Savoia, initially a rectangular fortress with an inner courtyard and protected by four angular towers, was rebuilt in the seventeenth century by Galazzo IV as a center for agricultural and commercial activities of the time. This impressive building was designed by Andrea Pio as a court figure and represented the administrative center for the management of the vast land properties of the area.
The history of Sant'Antonio in Mercadello
Sant'Antonio in Mercadello has ancient origins. After the fall of the Western Roman Empire, the area came under the control of the Lombards and then the Franks. During the Middle Ages, Rovereto sulla Secchia - the territory that included Sant'Antonio in Mercadello - became an important fiefdom of the Pio family, an aristocratic family of Lombard origin.
Galazzo I Pio, in 1426, obtained the investiture of the Principality of Carpenteria. During his reign, the area developed considerably thanks to the presence of important mercantile squares and the construction of numerous architectonic works of great impact, such as the Castello di Santa Maria Nuova in Guastalla.
Over time, the Pio family lost the investiture of the Principality of Carpenteria, but not the bond with the territory. Strongly attached to the land, the Pio of Savoy built the Palazzo Pio di Savoia in the heart of Sant'Antonio in Mercadello. The building became the habitual residence of the Pio of the Carpi branch and represented the administrative center for the management of the vast land properties located in the area.
The rebirth of Sant'Antonio in Mercadello
Sant'Antonio in Mercadello was severely affected by the 2012 Emilia earthquake, but it has not lost hope for a better future. Over the years, the village has seen the birth of numerous associations and groups of citizens who have worked for the reconstruction and enhancement of the cultural heritage of the territory.
Many initiatives have been organized, from concerts to exhibitions, to make the history and architectural heritage of Sant'Antonio in Mercadello known. Thanks also to private donations and sponsorships, numerous projects for the redevelopment and enhancement of the territory have been launched.
The church of Sant'Antonio, for example, has recently been renovated and enhanced thanks to the purchase of new works of art and the promotion of cultural events. The Oratory of the Immaculate Conception has undergone a conservative restoration that has allowed it to reopen to the public.
Today, Sant'Antonio in Mercadello is a place that looks to the future with the hope of a rebirth, but without ever forgetting its history and cultural heritage.
