San Polo d'Enza
Welcome to San Polo d'Enza!
Hello everyone! Today I will talk to you about San Polo d'Enza, a beautiful Italian town located in the province of Reggio Emilia, in Emilia-Romagna. With a population of 6,147 inhabitants, San Polo d'Enza has a lot to offer both tourists and residents. The patron saint of the city is St. Paul of Tarsus, whose feast is celebrated on January 25 in honor of his conversion. But let's find out more!
Physical geography
San Polo d'Enza is located in a strategic position between the Reggio and Parma territories, on the banks of the Enza river and a short distance from the city of Reggio Emilia. Part of the territory is located in the Po Valley, while the other part is located on the first Apennine hills. Furthermore, the city is a crossroads between the Po Valley and the Apennines. San Polo d'Enza borders the municipalities of Traversetolo, Canossa, Bibbiano, Quattro Castella, Vezzano sul Crostolo, and Montecchio Emilia, and has four districts: Barcaccia, Grassano, Borsea, and Pontenovo.
History
San Polo d'Enza has an ancient and interesting history. The area where the city is located was inhabited since the time of the Etruscans, who founded the settlement of Servirola. The ancient name of San Polo, "Plebs de Caviliano", dates back to 980 and was mentioned for the first time in a document of the Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, Otto II. Over the centuries, San Polo d'Enza passed from the hands of the Church of Reggio Emilia to the dominion of the Duke of Tuscany Boniface III of Canossa, then to the Visconti and Este families, until the elimination of feudal rights with the Napoleonic regime. The fortress, the most significant monument of those times, now houses the seat of the Municipality and an ANPI museum dedicated to the memory of "Salvo d'Acquisto". Until 1955, the official name of the city was "San Polo d'Enza in Caviano", referring to the stream that laps it.
Honors
San Polo d'Enza has been awarded the Golden Star and Diploma of the Council of Europe for its contribution to the spread of the idea of European Unity through cultural and economic exchanges with the twin cities of Eisingen (Germany) and Litomyšl (Czech Republic).
Monuments and points of interest
San Polo d'Enza is rich in monuments and points of interest, including the Fortress, which dominates the village from a medieval entrance. The fifteenth-century tower, also called the Clock Tower, represents the entrance to the castle which was accessed through two pointed arches, a larger one for carriages and a smaller one for pedestrians. Both were protected by a deep moat and a drawbridge on which Emperor Henry IV passed, in October 1092, before the clash with the troops of Countess Matilda of Canossa.
In conclusion, San Polo d'Enza is a city that combines history, culture, nature, and architectural beauty. So, if you find yourself in the area, you absolutely must not miss the visit to this beautiful Italian city!
