Vezzano sul Crostolo
Welcome to Vezzano sul Crostolo!
Vezzano sul Crostolo is a small Italian municipality located in the Emilia-Romagna region of the province of Reggio Emilia. With a population of about 4,300 people, Vezzano is a welcoming and peaceful place, located in the valleys of the Crostolo and Campola streams.
The physical geography of Vezzano sul Crostolo
Situated on the left bank of the Crostolo Stream, Vezzano is just 13 km south of Reggio Emilia. Its territory covers an area of 37 square kilometers and borders on the municipalities of Quattro Castella, Albinea, Viano, Casina, Canossa, and San Polo d'Enza. The municipality is composed of the capital and the villages of Casola Canossa, La Vecchia, Montalto, Paderna (Vezzano sul Crostolo), and Pecorile, for a total of six inhabited locations.
The history of Vezzano sul Crostolo
Vezzano boasts a millennial history, dating back to 835 when Cunegonda di Laon, the widow of King Bernardo of Italy, donated the locality to the monastery of Sant'Alessandro in Parma. More than three centuries later, in 1188, the inhabitants of Vezzano swore allegiance to the Municipality of Reggio Emilia. Over the centuries, the local economy has been closely linked to gypsum extraction from the nearby quarries.
During World War II, Vezzano and its villages were at the center of the wartime events caused by the Nazi-Fascist occupation. On June 24, 1944, in the hamlet of La Bettola, the Nazi-Fascists committed a heinous massacre that caused the death of 32 civilians. Moreover, in 1970 a congress of the Milanese far-left group Sinistra Proletaria took place in Pecorile, during which the birth of the Red Brigades was allegedly decided.
Monuments and places of interest in Vezzano sul Crostolo
For a small locality like Vezzano, the quantity of monuments and places of interest is surprising. Among the religious architecture, one can admire the church of San Martino, built in Vezzano in the XII century and restored in 1823, the church of San Michele in Paderna, dating back to the XIV century, and the church of Santa Eufemia in Casola Canossa, mentioned for the first time in an XI century document.
The society of Vezzano sul Crostolo
Like many Italian communities, Vezzano has experienced a demographic decline in recent decades. However, with its strategic location and reputation as a peaceful and welcoming place, the municipality is trying to attract new residents and visitors. As of December 31, 2017, 6.1% of the population was represented by foreign residents in the municipality.
Thank you for visiting Vezzano sul Crostolo! We are pleased to have shown you the history, culture, and beauty of this small gem of the Emilia-Romagna region. We look forward to welcoming you soon to discover more about this splendid Italian location.
