Sorbolo: Church History, Art and Sport

If you are considering Sorbolo as a destination for a stay, several themes come together: the history of the parish church and its organ, works by Luigi Froni, historic buildings, as well as sports facilities and cycling.

Church and organ: several layers of history

The current appearance of the Church of the Martyrs Faustino and Giovita dates from its reconstruction following the earthquakes of 1831 and 1832. Further consolidation and restoration work followed the severe earthquake of 15 July 1971. Remains of the original Pieve di San Faustino are visible beneath the presbytery and along the side aisles of the present-day church. An archaeological dating proposal places the ancient pieve in the 11th century. Sorbolo therefore reveals several distinct layers of history: the pieve, its reconstruction after the earthquakes, and later work on the church building.

The parish church’s organ also brings together several periods. The first installment was paid to organ builder Giovanni Cavalletti in 1834; the instrument was completed in 1836. It has 17 stops. Restoration began in August 2008 and was completed on 15 September 2009. The organ was returned to its original appearance during this work. These dates therefore mark both the creation of the instrument and a much later restoration.

Artworks and historic buildings

Important plaster works by sculptor Luigi Froni are on display in the council chamber of Sorbolo Town Hall. His widow, Renata Fornelli Froni, donated them to the municipality. Another work by Froni is at the Centro Civico Culturale di Sorbolo, the former Casa Pezzani: the bronze sculpture depicts actor Memo Benassi. The works differ in both material and subject—a collection of plaster works in the council chamber and a bronze sculpture of Benassi at the cultural centre.

Casa Pezzani was restored while preserving its existing structure and floor area; multipurpose rooms and a public park were established there. The Biblioteca Comunale Momo is also housed in a historic building: dating from 1700, it is one of the oldest rural buildings in the Bassa Parmense. The town hall, cultural centre and library thus bring together different aspects of Sorbolo’s artistic and architectural history.

Sport and cycling

The Centro sportivo di Sorbolo has athletics tracks, football pitches, facilities for hockey and roller skating, indoor sports halls, and two tennis courts. Activities listed there include athletics, gymnastics, football, roller skating, basketball, volleyball and tennis. The information was updated in 2024; individual facilities or activities may change. If a particular sport is important to your plans, check the latest information in advance.

Cycling is another option: the Food Valley Bike route reaches Sorbolo. For the town, the route mentions pasta to taste, made from local produce such as wheat, tomatoes and Parmigiano Reggiano. If you would like to plan a tasting, check what is currently available in advance.

Discover more destinations: Fidenza, Porcigatone, Roncopascolo, Berceto, Collecchio, Valmozzola, Varano De' Melegari, Ostia Parmense

For the broader travel overview: Parma.