Varsi (PR) - Emilia Romagna

In the center of the village, some traces of the ancient castle remain, while at the beginning of the village, there is a small and picturesque lake, which originated from a legend also narrated by the famous poet of Valceno Francesco Zanetti... #tuttitaly

Position📍

Varsi rises at the foot of Monte Dosso in Emilia-Romagna.

The territory was already inhabited in the Mesolithic. The traces of some hunters' camps found in the locality of Tosca date back to this period.

Varsi Castle

The town's castle dates back to the 10th century. It was rebuilt in the 1300s on a quadrangular layout, with circular corner towers, with, inside, the central keep, the residence of the Castellan, and the parish church of San Pietro Apostolo.

Of the ancient manor, three corner towers remain, the rear residential body and the central wing, built in the 18th century.

Pieve di San Pietro Apostolo

Towards the eighth century, at the end of the current via della Pieve, the primitive parish church of San Pietro Apostolo was built, documented by the 11 Longobard parchments of Varsi. The building was destroyed in a fire in 880. After the 14th century, the parish church was rebuilt within the castle walls in Romanesque style.

Between the end of the 16th and the beginning of the 17th century, the place of worship was rebuilt again in Baroque style, retaining an arch key from the ancient church decorated with a bas-relief depicting a blessing hand. In 1926, the neo-Romanesque bell tower was erected.

In 1932, the Baroque facade was replaced with the current neo-Romanesque one.

Varsi lake

At the beginning of the village, there is a small and picturesque lake framed by poplars and cypresses, famous for a legend according to which in Varsi, tens of years ago, there was an ancient monastery inhabited by about ten monks.

One night an impoverished lady with five children arrived at the monastery and asked the religious for hospitality. However, they denied her any help. At that point, the woman cast a curse. The same night the earth shook, and the monastery collapsed suddenly without a trace. The following day, instead of the monastery, the inhabitants of Varsi found a small body of water.

It is also said that at night, near the lake, strange cries of children can be heard.

Discover other wonders on www.tuttitaly.com

"Click here to see the complete album"