Ponte dell'Olio
Discovering Ponte dell'Olio
Hello friends, today I will talk to you about Ponte dell'Olio, a town in the province of Piacenza in Emilia-Romagna, which extends on the right bank of the Nure stream. The area is characterized by the first foothills of the Ligurian Apennines that are located to the south of the Po Valley.
The northern part of the municipal territory, up to the border with San Giorgio Piacentino, is flat, while to the south the area is hilly and varies between zones of first and high hills. The territory of Ponte dell'Olio is rich in water: thanks to the numerous secondary watercourses, small valleys mainly south-north are formed, to which artificial derivations such as the Rio San Giorgio, which originates from the course of the Nure stream, are added.
The highest peak in the municipality is Monte Santo, while the Riglio valley marks the municipal border.
The history of Ponte dell'Olio
The history of Ponte dell'Olio dates back to the Middle Ages, when the area was home to a wooden bridge over the Nure where a toll had to be paid. The area was located along the main roads of the plain and the city at the beginning of the Valley, therefore there was a large influx of travelers and visitors with many commercial exchanges with Liguria.
During the Middle Ages, Ponte dell'Olio was an important commercial hub of the area thanks to the presence of many mule tracks, Apennine roads and paths. In the territory, there were six oil presses and various mills. The goods traded in the commercial exchanges consisted mainly of olive oil, flax, soap, honey, orange peels, ''brusar oil'' (oil for lamps), cheese, beans, and sugar.
In the fifteenth century, pilgrims traveling to Santiago de Compostela passed through Ponte Albarola (today a hamlet of Vigolzone) and stopped at the hospital run by the friars, where they were provided with food and medical care.
After the fall of Alberto Scotti, the area passed to Anguissola, whose heirs in 1414 obtained from the King of the Romans Sigismund of Luxembourg the feudal investiture of the castles of Vigolzone, Folignano (Ponte dell'Olio), the village of Albarola, Castello di Riva, and Monte Santo.
What to visit in Ponte dell'Olio
Ponte dell'Olio is a municipality that offers many attractions for tourists. I recommend visiting the church of Santa Caterina, dating back to the thirteenth century, and restored in the 1800s. The façade of the church is in Baroque style with a mosaic on the bell tower's spire.
Another attraction is the Hospital of San Rocco, now a museum, which was managed by the hospitaller friars for pilgrims traveling along the Via Francigena. The museum was founded in 1997 and includes a collection of religious images, sculptures, and ancient manuscripts.
For hiking enthusiasts, I recommend a walk along the trail that ascends Monte Santo. On the hill, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the Val Nure and the surrounding mountains.
Events in Ponte dell'Olio
Ponte dell'Olio also offers a series of enticing events. Among the most important, there is the May Fair, which takes place on the second weekend of May and offers numerous stands that sell local products, crafts, and various objects. The fair is complemented by exhibitions and street food and live music performances.
Another interesting event is the Torchio Festival, which is held every year on the first Sunday of November. The festival celebrates the tradition of olive oil in the territory of Ponte dell'Olio with stands with tastings and sales of local products.
Conclusions
In summary, Ponte dell'Olio is a municipality that offers all the typical characteristics of Emilia-Romagna, from hilly landscapes to local cuisine. Its history has been marked by the trade of oils and grains, but also by the presence of pilgrims traveling along the ancient Via Francigena. Today, Ponte dell'Olio is an ideal tourist destination for those who want to discover and enjoy the true Emilia-Romagna.
