Marano
Marano: a small hamlet in Parma
Hello everyone! Today I want to tell you about Marano, a hamlet in the municipality of Parma, located south of the city center. With its ancient origins and its hilly location just a few steps from the Parma river, Marano is a truly fascinating place to visit.
Physical geography
Marano rises on a riverbank hill on the right bank of the Parma river and is surrounded by an area rich in water sources. Its hilly location makes it an ideal spot to enjoy a panoramic view of the surrounding valley.
Name origins
The name Marano probably derives from "marna" which means rock. This is because the subsoil of the village is of rocky origin.
History
The first human settlements date back to the period of the terramare, but the oldest evidence of the existence of a inhabited center dates back to 953. In 1308, Marano passed under the control of the Rossi family of Parma, but the truce with the Lord of Parma, Giberto III da Correggio, lasted only a few months. In 1406, the fiefdom of Marano passed to the condottiero Guido Torelli, and was then confiscated by Ranuccio I Farnese in 1612.
Throughout its history, Marano has been involved in numerous clashes between the various factions of Parma.
Monuments and places of interest
The Church of the Purification of the Virgin Mary is the main place of worship in Marano. First mentioned in 1141, it was expanded in the 17th century with the addition of the side naves. The neorenaissance facade was rebuilt in 1920 by the architect Camillo Uccelli.
The church preserves several works of art including some paintings and an organ from 1888 made by the company Angelo Cavalli.
Construction of embankments in the expansion basin
Starting from 1988, work was initiated to construct embankments in the expansion basin on the Parma river. This work was completed in 2005 and covers an area of about 136 hectares for a maximum reservoir volume of 14 million cubic meters of water.
Conclusions
If you are looking for a quiet and picturesque place in Parma, then Marano is definitely the right place for you. With its hilly location, the Church of the Purification of the Virgin Mary and the construction of embankments in the expansion basin, Marano offers many opportunities for relaxation and discovery for nature and history lovers. In short, it's a small hidden gem not to be missed!
