An area of fertile plains wrested from the Po marshlands by centuries of human labour, today a lively and modern centre.
Telephone Area code: 0522
Annual Fair: 1st Sunday in April
Market day: Wednesdays
Distance from Reggio Emilia: 8 kilometres
Outlying villages: Villa Argine, Cadelbosco di Sotto, Villa Seta
Inhabitants:
10.437 update December 31, 2009 |
How to get there:
From the Reggio Emilia exit from A1 Motorway: take the National Road SS 63 in the direction of Guastalla/Mantova (Mantua) |
Tourist information:
Town Hall 05229185 11
Fax: 0522 917302 |
This town can trace its origins back to around the 10th century when it was a village called Vico Zoario (from the Latin Zea, a graminaceous plant then very common in the area). There is then a further reference in an ancient document where mention is made of the same village, referring to the foundation of the "Vico Zoario" castle. In 1215 records show that the owner of the castle and the surrounding woods was a certain Gherardo del Bosco - from whom the present-day town presumably takes its name. The next owners of the land were the Benedictines of San Giovanni of Parma who began the important work of land reclamation. Further hydraulic works were undertaken in 1570 under the Bentivoglio family to ensure that none of the precious waters flowing down from the Apennines were wasted. In the succeeding centuries Cadelbosco was bound up with the fortunes of the Reggio Emilia "Comune" (local council) while always maintaining its strong farming traditions.
Visitors to the town will find the 18th-century Church dedicated to San Celestino and the Santissima Annunziata (the Annunciation) of interest, with its elegant façade and classical style bell-tower. There is a wealth of important artistic works to be found in Cadelbosco created particularly after the War of Liberation (mainly contemporary works). The themes are taken especially from the Partisan War, inspired by the epic struggle of the resistance fighters against German occupation. One example of this is the monument dedicated to the Resistance, a work by the sculptor M. Mazzacurati dating from 1965, displayed in a prominent position in Piazza della Libertà.