Parona
Parona di Valpolicella: a small historic center
Hello friends, today I will talk to you about Parona, a small hamlet of the municipality of Verona. The first thing I want to tell you is the origin of its name. It is said to derive from the Latin term "parronius", which means "place full of stones and rocks", or it could be related to the numerous "parone", the mistresses of the inns, present in the territory.
Among the streets of the town
Parona is located at the gates of the Valpolicella and is crossed by two main parallel provincial roads: the S.P. 1a del Brennero and the S.P. 4 della Valpolicella. The town is enclosed between the hills that surround it and the Adige river, which in the past made it an important port, especially as a gateway to Verona for goods coming from northern Europe.
A millenary history
The first written document referring to Parona dates back to the Middle Ages, precisely to the year 954. The village was under the control of the Abbey of San Zeno (Verona), which enfeoffed it in 1165 to one of the most powerful Veronese families: the Monticali. Parona was an important strategic crossroads as it was located on the Roman road Via Claudia Augusta, an obligatory passage for all invading armies.
Monuments and places of interest
If you decide to visit Parona, you cannot fail to notice the Church of Saints Philip and James, which houses six bells in Mib3 that ring every time according to Veronese tradition. The town can also boast several noble villas and a Roman aqueduct, located near the gallery on the provincial road of Valpolicella. The Railway Bridge is another place worth visiting, especially for its importance as a railway junction. The walkway through the bridge has undergone changes over time, especially following the Allied bombardment during World War II.
Festa de la Renga
Among the events and festivals that take place every year in Parona, the Festa de la Renga is certainly the most typical. The festival is dedicated to polenta with herring, a dish of the local cuisine, and takes place every year in the second half of August.
Conclusions
In conclusion, Parona is a small historic center that with its millenary history and its monuments manages to amaze and fascinate visitors. If you have the opportunity to visit this hamlet of Verona, I recommend doing so in summer, when the town comes alive and the Festa de la Renga offers moments of conviviality and discovery of local flavors.
