Via degli
Oratori
This route links the historic rural oratories of the municipality of Vernasca like a thread, and offers views of the landscape and historical testimonies of the place.
Taking the provincial road from Lugagnano to Morfasso and passing the cement factory, you arrive close to the Mignano dam, which gives rise to the artificial lake of the same name. At this point, we make a short diversion to the village of Mignano, on the opposite bank of the river. Here we find a small oratory with a semicircular apse from the Romanesque period (12th century) decorated with a valuable fresco. The foundation of this building dedicated to St Geminianus is closely connected with the period of pilgrimages along the Via Francigena.
Back on the provincial road, continue in the direction of Morfasso, skirting round the lake. Shortly afterwards, on the left, there is a junction for Vezzolacca and Castelletto: take this road uphill and, after passing through the village of Castelletto, you will come out on the Bardi provincial road near Luneto. Turning left and travelling along the provincial road in the direction of Vernasca, after a couple of kilometres you will come to the 19th-century country oratory of the Madonna di Pione, near which there is also an open-air picnic area.
After leaving the oratory, we continue for about 3 kilometres until a short diversions to the left leads us to the village of Vitalta. Saint Franca was born here in 1175. Franca was the daughter of Count and Countess Vitalta, later Abbess of the Cistercian monastery of Monte Lana near Morfasso. The saint was born in a castle, of which traces were later lost, and belonged initially to the Benedictine congregation, then to the Cistercian congregation. She died in the monastery of Vallera, near Piacenza, in 1218. In Vitalta there is currently an oratory dedicated to St Franca, built in 1932. It is a sign of popular devotion to this figure.
Return to the previously abandoned road and, before reaching Vernasca, take the Val Borla road in the direction of Trinità. Once past the village of Trinità, the road continues along the River Stirone and crosses the territory of the Stirone Regional Fluvial Park; the entire route is of great interest from an environmental point of view in the harmonious alternation of natural and constructed agricultural landscapes. Follow the signs for Salsomaggiore Terme to reach a bridge over the River Stirone. Just before this bridge, take a diversion to the left in the direction of the village of Trabucchi and you will reach the locality of S. Genesio, where you will find the isolated Parish Church of the Madonna della Mercede (13th century): of the original Romanesque temple, only the stone portal protruding from the façade remains intact. Inside, you can see a late Gothic fresco dating back to the 15th century.
From San Genesio, turn back until you find the signs for the road that leads to the nearby village of Vigoleno, where you can visit the Renaissance oratory of the Madonna delle Grazie, also known as the ‘Madonna del Latte’. The oratory overlooks the village’s main square and stands alongside the building in which the village’s ancient ‘hospitale’ was located.
After passing Vigoleno, continue towards the valley until you will reach the road that connects Vernasca with Alseno, right in front of the gullies of Monte La Ciocca; turning left, you will head towards the main town. Before reaching Vernasca, you pass through the village of Terenza. Here you can see the Oratory of St Lucia built in 1710 and still appreciably intact in its original form.
Once in Vernasca, it is also possible to include the aforementioned ancient parish church of Vernasca in this tour.
BROWSE PHOTO GALLERY:
EVENTS IN VIGOLENO
WE ARE IN THE UPPER VAL D'ARDA
The Alta Val d’Arda is the easternmost Apennine part of the valley in the province of Piacenza, bordering on the province of Parma.
It has the irresistible charm of a land waiting to be discovered: a treasure chest of history, art, nature and flavours, for those who love to travel far from mass tourism.
