Lagrimone: History of the Route and Cultural Heritage in the Parma Apennines

Getting to know Lagrimone

Lagrimone lies on a saddle that forms an important east–west passage between the Val Parma and Val d’Enza. In a north–south direction, the saddle provides a link to the ridge towards Lunigiana. The two axes describe different geographical connections: the passage between the valleys runs east–west, while the link to the ridge extends north and south. This situates Lagrimone between the valleys and, at the same time, in the direction of the ridge.

The Via di Linari and its route connections

The Via di Linari is an old trade and pilgrimage route to Rome and an alternative to the Via Francigena. It runs from Fidenza via Parma and the Passo del Lagastrello towards Tuscany and the Abbey of Linari. At the Passo del Lagastrello, the Via di Linari connects again with the Via Matildica del Volto Santo. These route connections play different roles: the Via Francigena is the route for which the Via di Linari offers an alternative; the Via Matildica del Volto Santo joins it at the pass. The route can therefore be understood both in terms of its historic orientation towards Rome and its connection with another route.

The route and its construction history

The Via di Linari is currently classified as a route of moderate difficulty. This classification provides a general guide for choosing a route; also check trail conditions before setting out. In Lagrimone, the Via di Linari passes through the area around the Torre dei Cadonici. These are two distinct details to consider when planning: the difficulty rating applies to the route, while the tower locates its course in the Lagrimone area.

The Torre dei Cadonici is a tower with a tall, battered base. “Battered” describes the sloping profile of the base and draws attention to a specific architectural feature. The Torre was built before 1509 and rebuilt by the Basetti brothers. Its form and construction history complement each other: the base defines its appearance, while the date and rebuilding provide historical context. The tower can therefore be understood both through its appearance and its construction history.

The Monastero di Santa Chiara adds a landscape and historical dimension. It was built in 1969 in the heart of the Parma Apennines and is located on the Via di Linari pilgrimage route, in the Valle dei Cavalieri area. The Monastero is surrounded by chestnut woods. The year 1969 clearly distinguishes Santa Chiara in time from the Torre, built before 1509; the pilgrimage route and chestnut woods also define the Monastero’s landscape setting.

The Monastero di Santa Chiara complements the pilgrimage route with connections to the Valle dei Cavalieri and chestnut woods. Geography, the route and cultural heritage can thus be weighed as different reasons for choosing this destination.

Discover more destinations: Roccaprebalza, Cedogno, Vicomero, Torrechiara, Polesine Parmense, Borgo Val Di Taro, Vignale, Tabiano Castello

For the broader travel overview: Parma.