San Prospero
San Prospero Parmense: a location near Parma
Hello everyone! Today I'm going to talk to you about San Prospero Parmense, a fraction of the municipality of Parma located just 6.05 km east of the city center. If you are in the area and want to discover a quiet place rich in history, keep reading my summary.
Physical Geography
San Prospero Parmense is located on the left bank of the Enza river and is crossed by the Strada statale 9 Via Emilia. Its position is flat and it borders the province of Reggio nell'Emilia.
History
The history of San Prospero Parmense dates back to the Bronze Age: to the south of the current center was the Quingento terramara, dating back to the II and I millennium BC. During the Roman era, the "via Aemilia" passed through here and a rural settlement developed. In the tenth century, the Church of San Prospero was built, around which a village developed. Over the centuries, San Prospero Parmense came under different municipalities, until it was annexed to the city of Parma in 1943. Recently, the place has been sadly known for the murder of Tommaso Onofri.
Monuments and places of interest
In San Prospero Parmense there are several monuments and places of interest to visit:
Church of San Prospero
The Church of San Prospero was first mentioned in 980. Once a Romanesque style, it was closed for worship in 1578 due to its precarious conditions. It was then demolished and rebuilt in Baroque style between 1743 and 1779. In 1928 it was damaged by an earthquake and the bell tower was demolished and then rebuilt in 1965. Inside, you can admire the eighteenth-century altarpiece and a medieval statue of "Santa Felicola".
Xenodochio
The xenodochio of San Prospero Parmense was built along the Via Emilia before the fifteenth century. Today in ruins, it has a large pitched roof porch originally decorated with some paintings. The porch overlooks the road and allows you to watch the passage of local citizens.
Villa Mattei
Villa Mattei was originally built in Baroque style around 1682 by the Mariani counts. In the eighteenth century, it was rebuilt in neoclassical style designed by architect Ennemond Alexandre Petitot. The villa underwent several changes in ownership, until it was damaged by the earthquake of 1983. It was then acquired by the restorer Marco Pinna, who completely renovated it.
Conclusions
San Prospero Parmense is a fraction of Parma with a long history and several monuments to visit. The Church of San Prospero and Villa Mattei are two very interesting places to see. If you want to spend a quiet day, don't hesitate to visit San Prospero Parmense!
