Pontenure
Pontenure: a gem in the Po Valley
Pontenure is an Italian municipality located in the province of Piacenza, in the Emilia-Romagna region. The city has a population of approximately 6,513 inhabitants and is known for its location in the Po Valley, in the central-northern portion of the provincial territory. Pontenure has an elevation ranging between 47 and 107 meters above sea level and is located on the right bank of the Nure stream, which marks the western border with the municipality of Piacenza. The eastern border of the city is instead marked by the course of the Riglio stream.
The history of Pontenure
The Pontenure area was probably inhabited since the Neolithic era, and with the arrival of the Roman civilization, thanks to the presence of the Nure and Riglio streams, it became an important agricultural center. Remnants of a villa with mosaics and a necropolis with Roman-barbarian constructions have been found. Pontenure is presumed to be the Emporium of ''Victumviae'' (or ''Victumulae''), mentioned by Livy as a fortified emporium that Hannibal tried to conquer with infantry, cavalry, and elephants near Piacenza. The toponym "Pontenure" dates back to the Roman era when the main center was settled to defend the nearby bridge over the Nure. The toponym Pontenure is then mentioned in documents from the ninth century that talk of "fondus" and "locus," i.e., a center of limited size. Instead, in the following century, the term "castrum" is used as evidence of the construction of fortifications. Around the year 1000, several possessions were dependent on the Santa Brigida monastery of Piacenza, a territory that passed to the Basilica of San Savino towards the eleventh century. In the twelfth century, Pontenure became a medieval municipality. In 1117, with the Holy Roman Emperor Henry V set up camp in the nearby Roncaglia, a fraction of Piacenza, it was the scene of a battle between Piacenza and Parma. In 1216, it was occupied by troops from Pavia, Cremona, and Parma, following the defeat of the allies of the Milanese Piacenza. After this episode, several castles in the area were destroyed, including the one located in the main center and the castle of Paderna. In the thirteenth century, there was a hospital in Pontenure to testify to the importance of the settlement. In the early years of the fourteenth century, Alberto Scotti, head of the Guelph and Ghibelline factions recently driven out of Piacenza, occupied the Rocca of Pontenure. In 1316, the two factions unified, yielding the village to Galeazzo I Visconti, who had the castle's fortifications rebuilt, having been the Mancassola family's property in 1314.
Monuments and places of interest
Pontenure boasts the presence of the Castle of Pontenure, currently owned by the municipality, dating back to the mid-thirteenth century, and a short distance from the castle, the Church of San Michele, dating back to the eleventh century, and the seventeenth-century Palazzo Comunale, which houses within it the Civic Library.
Festivals and traditions
Pontenure's patronal festival is held in honor of San Michele, the protector of the city, on September 29 of each year. The festival is characterized by a procession in which the statue of the saint is carried around the city streets. During the festival, there are also musical events, games for children, and art exhibitions.
Economy
Pontenure's economy is mainly based on agriculture. In particular, the urban area is characterized by a widespread presence of vineyards and wine production. The city is also known for the production of typical Emilia-Romagna salami and cheeses, including Parmigiano-Reggiano and Parma ham.
Conclusions
Pontenure is a city with a very important history from an archaeological and historical point of view. Its position in the Po Valley also makes it very distinctive, and the town offers a wide range of monuments and places of interest. Additionally, the numerous local traditions related to the patronal festival and the significant agricultural economy make Pontenure a perfect destination for nature, culture, and food lovers.
