Zocca
Welcome to Zocca: a unique place south of Modena
If you are looking for a peaceful and charming place to visit, Zocca is the ideal spot. This Italian municipality of 4,622 inhabitants is located in the province of Modena, in the Emilia-Romagna region, south of the capital. It stands at 758 meters above sea level and is part of the Union Terre di Castelli. In this article, we will talk about the physical geography of Zocca, its etymology, its history, the honors it has received, and its monuments and points of interest.
Physical geography
Territory
The town of Zocca stretches along a ridge of the Modenese Apennines, which divides the valleys of the Panaro and the Samoggia and Reno rivers in Italy. Zocca is located 47 km south of Modena and 26 km east of Pavullo nel Frignano. This strategic location makes it an ideal place for hiking and nature lovers.
Climate
The climate in Zocca is moderate. The average temperature of the coldest month, January, is +1.3 °C, while that of the warmest month, July, is +19.9 °C. Summer is an ideal time to visit the municipality because the weather is mild and pleasant.
Etymology
The toponym "Zocca" originates from the Frignanese dialect, where "zòca" means "wooden stump/log", from the Latin "soccus". In this case, it refers to the chestnut wood that was widely present in the area in the Middle Ages. The name "Zòca" was first documented in 1337.
History
The historical origins of Zocca date back to the mid-14th century when the noble family of Giocoli, an ancient Ferrarese house, received feudal assets in the north-western area of Ferrara, becoming Lords of Zocca. In 1465, Duke Borso d'Este authorized the men of Montetortore to establish a market of exchanges to be held twice a year. This favored the birth of a permanent settlement, today's Zocca. The municipality of Zocca was included within the boundaries of the Montalbano community and, in 1797, with the dissolution of the latter, it was annexed to Montecorone. It temporarily acquired administrative independence and was included within the Department of Reno during the parenthesis of the Italian Republic (1802-1805), and was then incorporated into the territory of Guiglia with the Restoration. In 1859, at the end of the Duchy of Modena, the municipality of Zocca was again created and included in the district of Pavullo nel Frignano. During World War I, about 500 men left Zocca, of whom almost a third did not return. During World War II, the town was an active center of the Italian Resistance and paid a high price for its struggle against Nazi-Fascist occupation forces. Zocca was awarded the Gold Medal of Civil Merit for the anti-fascist fight in the period 1943-1944. In 1952, Luigi Calligola was elected mayor supported by the PCI and remained the mayor of Zocca until 1964. In 1964, the municipal elections ended in a tie between incumbent mayor Calligola and the candidate supported by the center-right.
Honors
Zocca was awarded the Gold Medal of Civil Merit for the anti-fascist fight in the period 1943-1944.
Monuments and points of interest
Religious architectures
Zocca holds some architectural treasures, including the Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, built in the last decade of the 19th century near a previous 17th-century oratory dedicated to San Contardo d'Este. The bell tower was added in 1910.
In summary, Zocca is a picturesque town, with an ancient and fascinating history, surrounded by nature. Its religious architecture makes it a perfect retreat for visitors seeking cultural and spiritual beauty.
