Monchio and its Courts

the CAPITAL

Monchio, from the Latin “Mons” from which “Monc” in dialect, is located in the Cedra Valley a 820 m altitude.
The wording “delle Corti” was added in 1935 and refers to the ancient Courts that for nine centuries were part of the fiefdom of the Bishop of Parma, until Napoleon abolished all fiefs with the decree of 1805.

Home to the Town Hall, Monchio is undoubtedly the most popular place among locals and has the highest population density in the entire municipality.

The passage of Duchess Maria Luigia took place in the capital as attested by the marble slab present in the Town Hall, which thanks the Duchess for the generosity shown to the Municipality by donating money to restore the Ponte di Lugagnano, and the Leni Lodge dating back to 1500 and located in Prato where the Duchess stayed several times.

The fascinating one is definitely worth a visit Church of San Lorenzo and Michele containing paintings dating back to 1600 and the main square of the town which is chosen as a privileged meeting place by inhabitants and visitors.

the FRACTIONS

Aneta is a small village which is about 11 km from Monchio, the ideal place to contemplate a beautiful panorama after a long walk: if you stop here, in fact, you will be able to admire Monte Acuto and Alpe di Succiso, refreshing yourself at 1000 m above sea level.

The typical little square of the village is also worth a visit. which houses a historic monument dedicated to the fallen of the 1915/1918 war , statuette of the Madonna on the fountain which has resisted the ravages of time since 1903, watching over its inhabitants and the visitors who turn their attention to it.

“It was time to stop here,
a land to live in, horses
and men, for a long time”
From Fantasizing about the Migration of the Maremma Sheepdogs
(The Bedroom, 1984-1988)

This is what the sign on the outside wall of Casa Bertolucci says.

Frozen in the time of Bertolucci's verses, Casarola is located in the Bratica Valley at approximately 1000 m altitude and is known for having been the setting and inspiration for the poet's life Attilio Bertolucci, as well as his residence.

Here, in fact, it is possible to visit his house which has become a Cultural Heritage of Emilia-Romagna. and the destination of numerous guided tours.

In addition to the poet's residence, it is possible to visit the ancient church which houses symbols and paintings of historical interest, the Cultural Center “Le Ciliegie” and “The Bivouacs” Located at the edge of town, these old chestnut drying sheds have been renovated and made available to anyone who wants to experience the natural beauty of the woods that inspired Bertolucci.

Bernardo Bertolucci, son of Attilio, has always affirmed that “Casarola is the origin of everything” and today in fact, it hosts the Bertolucci Literary Park.

The town of Ceda is about 3 km from Monchio and is located in 806 m altitude.
The town attests to the presence of man in this territory for millennia: the ancient church is the symbol of the town, inside which you can find two portals dated 1686 and 1792, two rustic stucco altarpieces from the 700th century  and a more recent canvas in glory of San Rocco, to which the inhabitants of Ceda They also dedicated a celebration to January 26th each year. Another ancient testimony comes from an apocalyptic inscription on the wall of a house near the church that reads, "Vos estate parati quia qua hora non putatis filius homini venite" (Be ready, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come).

If you want to take a dip into the past and breathe in a bit of ancient history, Ceda you can find scent of distant times, nature and clean air!

Cozzanello, known as “Csanéll” in dialect, is a new addition to the Municipality of Monchio, in fact it only became one of its hamlets after 1805.
With its 808 m altitude, Cozzanello boasts a landscape completely immersed in greenery in the summer and the white of the snow-capped peaks and meadows in the winter. You can reach Cozzanello by arriving from Ceda and continuing for about 1 km. Here there is a characteristic little church consecrated by Bishop Carlo Nembrini in 1656, containing evocative paintings and, higher up, a fountain from which excellent spring water flows.

The hamlet of Monchio delle Corti Lugagnano or “Liguagnan” in dialect, is further divided into two: Upper Lugagnano e Lower Lugagnano.

In Lugagnano superiore there is the recently restored “Miners' Fountain” while in Lugnano inferiore there is a Maestà with a fountain next to it and a basin that was once used for watering animals and washing clothes.

La Church of Lugagnano It boasts a first mention in a historical document as early as 1230.

the emblem of Lugagnano remains the “Farnesian Bridge” which dates back to 1602 and cross the Cedra stream.
Once the only route to Tuscany, it was considered extremely important. Today, it is a testament to the architecture of the time, as well as a prime vantage point from which to admire the surrounding panorama.

Pianadetto is a hamlet of Monchio delle Corti known for the “Bachér Fountain”, which dispenses pure, diuretic spring water. The fountain is located on the main road and is immediately recognisable as it is flanked by an ancient maestà. Another important one maestà present in Pianadetto is the one that surmounts the coat of arms of the Leni family placed above an ancient portal and dated 1621, which holds the record for being the oldest in Monchio.
Another valuable feature of Pianadetto is the medieval shop, where residents once went to stock up on salt and tobacco.

The sports field is a favorite meeting place for adults and children alike, as it features a well-equipped playground and a soccer field, and numerous parties are organized here, complete with refreshments.

The Church of Pianadetto houses ancient masterpieces such as the fresco of the Annunciation and the altarpiece depicting the Mysteries of the Rosary.

The journey to Riana from Casarola is really quick: about 10 minutes on foot and you arrive in a heavenly and cool place, located at 1020 m above sea level.

The small waterfall next to the village is as evocative as the sight of the golden eagle that nests in this very area, precisely at the “Gropp soran”.

Among the ancient villages and the period fountains, “La ca' di sior” stands out, that is, the Santi-Fontechia Courtri, a residential nucleus from 1630 with a very large manor house surrounded by other more modest dwellings that housed the school, the teacher's house, the sharecroppers, the barn and the stables.

Rigoso It is located at 1131 m above sea level and seems set like a precious stone between the Alpe di Succiso and Monte Acuto, which can be admired in the background.

In the past Rigoso it was the capital of the Courts, later replaced by Monchio.

The town square is frequented by the inhabitants for whom it is the favourite meeting point and by the visitors who choose it in every season. Rigoso because here they find peace and cordiality.

In the main square you can find the charming little church, which survived a devastating fire in 1819 that destroyed most of the village's houses but unfortunately did not withstand the 1920 earthquake and was therefore rebuilt a few years later, as evidenced by the commemorative plaque that can be admired inside.
The fountain in the square right next to it was built using the broken stone from the old church.

South of the town center you can find the “fountain” with excellent spring water.

Rimagna, a small hamlet of Monchio delle Corti,  It is known as the land of “cantarìn, sonador and balérìn”, in fact, the presence of bagpipe players was already recorded in the early 19th century. Instruments such as the accordion and clarinet were also favored, and naturally, folk songs and dances dominated the farmyards, such as the "bala-cant" and the "bal ed l'ahi," two very entertaining types of dance. Today, this festive atmosphere can be felt again at the "Fèsta en-t-l'ara," held around mid-August each year, when the inhabitants dress in traditional clothing and decorate the entire village, offering a spectacle that evokes bygone eras and distant flavors thanks to the cuisine that the men and women of the village set up in the center of the small hamlet and the dishes they prepare according to ancient recipes, which can be enjoyed together in the farmyards.

Located at 1000 m altitude, Rimagna you can visit the Diocesan Sanctuary of the Madonna del Sasso which recalls the ancient legend of the apparition of the Madonna which then led to the construction of the Oratory by all the inhabitants who had seen the image of the Madonna carved on the large boulder.

You can find at Rimagna also the parish church located in the centre of the village, the main fountain, a characteristic Maestà and the hydroelectric power plant not far from the town centre.

If in 1955 the town had more than 300 inhabitants, today the resident population does not even reach 30, Rimagna It is therefore the most sought-after place by visitors to find peace and tranquility.

“There are few houses, favored by the gods
Guardians of virgin nature,
Perched on the beautiful hill
Humble village that is called Trefiumi. "

G. Breda

If you want to visit a place where time seems to have stopped, about 4 km from Monchio delle Corti and at 938 m above sea level you can find the village of Trefiumi!

Trefiumi It is a quaint and welcoming mountain village: the inhabitants are very attentive to the surrounding environment and welcome visitors with flower-filled streets and squares in the summer, while in the winter they organize the "Christmas Village" for the Christmas season, decorating the village's farmyards and creating a magical atmosphere just like it used to be; the streets fill with singing and music, and the snow that gently settles on the houses and decorations allows you to breathe in the true Christmas spirit!

The town is very attached to traditions, young and old gather every year with the organizing committee called Terfumna (Trefiumi in dialect) and celebrate San Lorenzo with a big party on August 10th of each year, right during the night of the stars.

The church and fountain, the latter located in the main square, are also dedicated to San Lorenzo, the town's patron saint.

As in most of the villages in our valleys, even in Trefiumi there is one Maestà, the "Maestà of the streets: Santa Liberata” which you can find on the side of the road that leads to Lake Ballano.

On the left bank of the Cedra stream lies what has been defined as “The Switzerland of Parma”. Valditacca, at 1011 meters above sea level, is a characteristic mountain village, also a hamlet of Monchio delle Corti, full of cobbled streets, small hamlets, and sandstone houses, some of which have ancient arches that allow passage from one street to another, offering glimpses of the enchanting peaks that surround the town.

The Church of San Rocco is located in the center of the village, along with a refreshment point and a charming little fountain from which the pure Cedra water flows.

If you're looking for a charming place to stay, surrounded by peace and quiet, Valditacca offers numerous facilities equipped for your well-being and relaxation.

On the slopes of Mount Faggeto stands Vecciatica with its 927 m altitude and its 4 km distance from Monchio delle Corti.

Emblematic is “The maestà and San Violin” so called because above it there is a depiction of a young man playing the violin who is actually San Genesio. In 1564, the oratory of Santa Maria della Neve was founded, but was later destroyed by a landslide that swept away it along with much of the town. The name Santa Maria della Neve today has been given to the small church that stands on the ridge between Vecciatica and Vairo, where a large popular festival takes place annually.

The village is made up of isolated farmhouses and very few inhabitants in the winter period: the vegetation reigns supreme and the quiet surrounds Vecciatica with an aura of calm and silence where everything seems to be in balance and follow the rhythms of nature.