Zerba
Welcome to Zerba, the least populated municipality in Emilia-Romagna!
Hi friends! Today we're talking about a small town located in the upper Trebbia valley, on the mountains of the Ligurian Apennines. Zerba, called "Ṡèrba" in the Piacenza dialect, is a municipality with only 71 inhabitants, making it the least populated municipality in the Emilia-Romagna region. Despite its small population, Zerba has a rich and fascinating history dating back to ancient times.
Physical geography
Zerba is located on the northern slope of the Boreca valley, which extends from the Piemonte border to the Trebbia river. The town is situated in a high position, making it the highest municipality in the province of Piacenza. The municipal territory of Zerba includes several scattered hamlets and neighborhoods such as Villa Soprana with the church of San Michele, Villa Lisamara, Villa Stana, Villa Scarbione with the town hall, and Villa Fontana with the famous Zerba Castle. Many of these hamlets are popular on weekends and during the summer.
History
According to legend, Zerba was founded by a group of Carthaginian deserters who abandoned Hannibal's army in 218 BC during the Battle of the Trebbia. The legend has it that the toponym of the municipality comes from "gerbo," a type of uncultivated land covered with brushwood. However, it is more likely that the name Zerba had a different origin.
The town was granted to the Malaspina family by Federico Barbarossa in 1164 and passed in the 13th century to the Malaspinian march of Pregola. In the 14th century, the town passed to the Pinotti and Porro families before returning to the Malaspina in 1404. Zerba remained under the rule of the Malaspina until the suppression of Napoleonic feudalism.
Before the abolition of imperial fiefs, Zerba was a separate entity inserted in the county of Ottone. In 1801, the territory was annexed to Napoleonic France, together with Liguria, until 1814. In 1848, as part of the province of Bobbio, Zerba passed from Liguria to Piedmont. In 1859, it became part of the Bobbio district of the new province of Pavia and Lombardy. In 1923, after the dismantlement of the Bobbio district, Zerba passed to the province of Piacenza and Emilia-Romagna.
Conclusions
If you are looking for a peaceful and idyllic place for a vacation, Zerba is undoubtedly the right choice. This small town offers visitors the experience of living in the heart of the mountains and immersing themselves in local culture. Despite its small size, Zerba preserves a fascinating history and a wide range of activities and events that take place throughout the year. We look forward to welcoming you to our small town and introducing you to its hidden treasures!
