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Discover the Val d’Arda: a territory with remote and fascinating origins

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The Val d’Arda is a territory of remote and fascinating origins, which preserves traces of the ancient sea that covered the Po Valley millions of years ago.
V. d_Arda dal m. Menegosa_PHA.battaglia

The whole area is characterized by the presence of imposing gully formations, from which important fossils of the Piacenziano period have emerged over the years. This term identifies a geological period belonging to the Pliocene (between 5.3 and 1.8 million years ago) of which the areas of the Piacenziano Geological Reserve constitute the reference stratotype.

The first settlements in the valley were probably Celts, as evidenced by some toponyms, but we owe to the Romans the first written testimonies and the memory of an important spa town: Veleia Romana. The archaeological site of interest is located in the municipality of Lugagnano Val d’Arda, in Veleia at 460 meters above sea level.

The exploration of Veleia can be traced back to Philip of Bourbon, Duke of Parma, around 1760 in the area where years before a find of great importance was accidentally found: the Tabula Alimentaria Traiana, the largest bronze document dating back to the first half of the second century AD. In the Middle Ages the Val d’Arda was one of the routes connected to the Via Francigena, which, going up the course of the stream to Morfasso, then continued to Pontremoli to rejoin the main path to Rome. The small Romanesque churches abandoned and reachable only on foot, like ancient pilgrims, testify to the liveliness and importance for the territory of the ancient abbey of Valtolla, a rich monastery of which no trace remains except in written documents. Closed to the south by an imposing amphitheater of mountains, which over time has made connections difficult, but has favored the preservation of the natural environment, the valley today presents uncontaminated environmental scenarios. The Monte Moria Park is a plateau of over 10 square kilometers, mostly covered by woods (tall beech forests and centuries-old chestnut trees) traditionally known as a nature reserve and excursion destination.

The paths that run along the ridges of the rolling hills, cultivated with vineyards, reach ancient manors, some of which can be visited and others private, evidence of a very capillary fortification. The villages of Castell’Arquato and Vigoleno are among the best preserved in Emilia Romagna.

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