Castelcerino
Castelcerino: a small town in the province of Verona
Castelcerino is a small town located about 7 km from Soave, in the province of Verona, in Veneto. It is particularly known for its privileged position on the watershed between the Val d'Alpone and the Val Tramigna, which makes it visible even from afar. The village is part of the municipality of Soave and belongs to the Diocese of Verona, which has here the parish dedicated to Santa Maria Maddalena.
The history of Castelcerino
The first historical traces concerning Castelcerino date back to the 12th century, when there were already two convents here. The toponym of the village seems to derive from the Latin "Castrum Ecerin", meaning "Icerino's castle". It could be related to the figure of Ezzelino III da Romano, who conquered it after a war against the Malacapella, or it could have already been owned by the family at the time of his father Ezzelino II da Romano.
Over the centuries, Castelcerino was the scene of several wars. In the 15th century, Niccolò Piccinino, a condottiere in the pay of the Visconti, tried to wrest the Veronese from the Republic of Venice. In the 16th century, during the War of the League of Cambrai, the village was set on fire by M. Antonio Colonna.
Even in modern times, Castelcerino was not immune to wars. In 1809, during the Italian campaign of the Napoleonic Wars, there were fights between French and Austrians.
Places to visit in Castelcerino
Despite the small number of inhabitants, Castelcerino offers interesting evidence of its historical and artistic past.
The parish church of Santa Maria Maddalena is the main place of worship in the village. Its current construction dates back to the 19th century, but the cult was already present in the 16th century with a church dedicated to the same saint, and subsequently with another dedicated to Saints Nicolò and Alberto.
Near the village there is also the so-called "San Marco's gate", an ancient gate of the walls of Soave, built in sandstone and still preserved today.
The bell tower of the parish church is also interesting, as it has a particular hexagonal shape.
Conclusions
Castelcerino represents one of the many hidden treasures of the province of Verona. It owed its name to a castle that perhaps no longer exists, but which still has a great importance for the local community and all those who love these small villages with a rich and exciting history.
When visiting Castelcerino, don't miss the parish church, the San Marco's gate and the bell tower with its hexagonal shape. These are just some of treasures that the village has to offer to its visitors.
