Alberi
So, let's talk about Alberi!
Hello everyone! Today I would like to talk to you about Alberi, a fraction of Parma located south of the city center.
The geographical location
If you are looking for a flat location on the left bank of the Parma river, Alberi is the right place for you. This fraction stretches over an area of 6.15 km^2, making it a large, but not too extensive area.
The origin of the name
Alberi, which in medieval times was known as ''Albari'', may owe its name to the ancient presence of a locust tree forest, a theory that feeds the imagination of the most romantic.
History
We know that the area of Alberi was already inhabited in Roman times, but the oldest testimony dates back to 962, when Emperor Otto I of Saxony recognized the authority of the bishop of Parma not only over the city, but also over 3 miles of land around it, including Albari. Over the centuries, the fraction has undergone various incursions and restitutions, among which one of the most famous is the Tower of Alberi, a fortress built by the Rossi of Parma in 1402 and destroyed by the Terzi a few years later, in 1405. Reconstructed and assigned to the counts Bajardi, it was recaptured by the Rossi in 1482.
Monuments and places of interest
If you happen to be passing through Alberi, I recommend visiting the Church of San Lorenzo and the Tower of Alberi. The original chapel, dating back to 1146, was elevated to parish church in 1564, but abandoned in 1582 to make way for a new church with the same name. Renovated in neoclassical style in 1738, the church has been restored several times over the years, restoring original forms and interior decorations. The altarpiece, depicting the Martyrdom of St. Lawrence, was painted by Francesco Pescatori in 1853. The Tower of Alberi, on the other hand, was erected by the Rossi of Parma in 1402, destroyed by the Terzi in 1405 and rebuilt by the same counts Bajardi. Now it has lost much of its original structure, but still displays a tower that emerges among the medieval buildings.
Final thoughts
Here is my brief summary of Alberi. If you are looking for an intimate and peaceful place, close to nature and history, this fraction of Parma is the right place for you. The monuments and places of interest are worth a visit, and if you are lucky enough to be in the area, take advantage of it!
