Vicomero
The small village of Vicomero
Hello everyone! Today I want to talk about Vicomero, a small agricultural village located between the municipalities of Parma and Torrile. The village is only 8.21 km northwest of the city center and 4.32 km from Torrile, near the left bank of the Parma stream. Despite its small size, Vicomero has many curiosities to discover!
The physical geography of Vicomero
The territory of this village is rich in springs, which are typically found in the Po Valley. In the past, these springs were fundamental for the cultivation of rice fields. Unfortunately, excessive agriculture caused a vast forest, called the "Bosco dei Dama dama", to disappear. This had serious repercussions on the environment and microclimate.
The origins of the name
The name of the village has several explanations. According to some scholars, Vicomero was originally "Vigodemerius" and later became "Vicomariano" following the dedication of the parish church to the Candelora. Others argue that the toponym derives from the Longobard conquest of the territory, among whom the Germanic name "Mer" was widespread.
The history of Vicomero
The first mention of Vicomero dates back to 1138, in a privilege of Pope Innocent II confirming the rights of the Benedictines of the Church of Sant'Alessandro in Parma over the lands of "Vigodemeri". In 1315, the nearby Baganzola, Castelnovo (Parma), San Siro, and indeed Vicomero were ransacked by Matteo da Correggio and his Ghibelline allies, in rebellion against the Guelph lord of Parma, Giberto III da Correggio.
The area was assigned in fief to the Marchesi Cusani and later to the counts Galantino, who owned Vicomero until the abolition of feudal rights by Napoleon in 1805. Later, the southern part of Vicomero was merged with the municipality of Golese, then dissolved in 1943 to be absorbed by that of Parma.
The monuments and places of interest in Vicomero
Vicomero is also rich in monuments and places of interest. One of the most important is the Church of the Purification of the Virgin Mary, which was first mentioned in 1230, but was completely renovated in Baroque style in the 17th century. In 1699, a new bell tower was built, and in the 18th century it was internally restored. In the 19th century, it was then expanded in the presbytery area and enriched with side chapels. Finally, in 1939, it was decorated with frescoes and subsequently restored and structurally consolidated between 2005 and 2008. The façade of the church is neoclassical, and inside, in addition to the decorations, there are two fragments of 16th-century frescoes discovered after 1960.
Another point of interest is the Torrione. It is located in the locality of Cornazzano and, although its history is still largely unknown, it is likely to have been built for defensive purposes in the 16th century at the behest of the Valeri counts, the feudal lords of nearby Baganzola. Over the centuries, the "Castellazzo", as it is still called today, has changed owners several times, until it was used as an agricultural building with an attached farmhouse.
I hope you enjoyed this brief journey into the heart of Vicomero. The area offers so much, from history and culture to natural beauty. If you are looking for a destination away from the chaos of the city, do not hesitate to visit!
