Bardi () is a ''

comune A (; : , ) is an administrative division of Italy, roughly equivalent to a township or municipality. It is the third-level administrative division of Italy, after regions () and provinces (). The can also have the City status in Italy, titl ...

'' (municipality) in the

Province of Parma The province of Parma () is a Provinces of Italy, province in the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy. Its largest town and capital is the city of Parma. It is made up of 47 ''comuni'' (: ''comune''). It has an area of and a total population of aro ...

in the Italian region

Emilia-Romagna Emilia-Romagna (, , both , ; or ; ) is an Regions of Italy, administrative region of northern Italy, comprising the historical regions of Emilia (region), Emilia and Romagna. Its capital is Bologna. It has an area of , and a population of 4.4 m ...

, located about west of

Bologna Bologna ( , , ; ; ) is the capital and largest city of the Emilia-Romagna region in northern Italy. It is the List of cities in Italy, seventh most populous city in Italy, with about 400,000 inhabitants and 150 different nationalities. Its M ...

and about southwest of Parma, in the upper Ceno valley at the confluence of the rivers Ceno and Noveglia. It is dominated by the imposing built over a spur of red jasper. Bardi borders the following municipalities: Bedonia, Bore, Borgo Val di Taro, Compiano, Farini, Ferriere, Morfasso, Valmozzola, Varsi.

History

According to a legend, the town's name derives from "Bardus", or "Barrio", the last elephant of Hannibal's army, who supposedly died here during the march to

Rome Rome (Italian language, Italian and , ) is the capital city and most populated (municipality) of Italy. It is also the administrative centre of the Lazio Regions of Italy, region and of the Metropolitan City of Rome. A special named with 2, ...

. Historically, the name stems from the Lombard nobility who established themselves in Bardi around 600 AD. In 1000 the bishop of Piacenza took up residence here. In 1257 the Landi of Piacenza acquired it, remaining lord of Bardi for the following four centuries. In 1269 the castle was stormed by an army led by Alberto Fontana, and the commune of Piacenza held it until 1307, when Emperor Henry VII gave it back to Umbertino II Landi. Galeazzo I Visconti of Milan obtained a notable victory over the Guelphs in the vicinity on November 29, 1321. In 1381 the Landi were declared formally independent by Gian Galeazzo Visconti, and obtained a complete autonomy in 1415.

Federico Federico (; ) is a given name and surname. It is a form of Frederick (given name), Frederick, most commonly found in Spanish language, Spanish, Portuguese language, Portuguese and Italian language, Italian. People with the given name Federico Ar ...

and his daughter renewed the castle in the 16th-17th century, also establishing a college of notaries which lasted until 1805. In 1682 Polissena's son Dario ceded Bardi to Ranuccio II Farnese, Duke of Parma and Piacenza, and the town followed the story of the latter until the

unification of Italy The unification of Italy ( ), also known as the Risorgimento (; ), was the 19th century Political movement, political and social movement that in 1861 ended in the Proclamation of the Kingdom of Italy, annexation of List of historic states of ...

. From the late 19th to the 20th century, much of the town's population emigrated to

France France, officially the French Republic, is a country located primarily in Western Europe. Overseas France, Its overseas regions and territories include French Guiana in South America, Saint Pierre and Miquelon in the Atlantic Ocean#North Atlan ...

Switzerland Switzerland, officially the Swiss Confederation, is a landlocked country located in west-central Europe. It is bordered by Italy to the south, France to the west, Germany to the north, and Austria and Liechtenstein to the east. Switzerland ...

Belgium Belgium, officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a country in Northwestern Europe. Situated in a coastal lowland region known as the Low Countries, it is bordered by the Netherlands to the north, Germany to the east, Luxembourg to the southeas ...

and particularly

Wales Wales ( ) is a Countries of the United Kingdom, country that is part of the United Kingdom. It is bordered by the Irish Sea to the north and west, England to the England–Wales border, east, the Bristol Channel to the south, and the Celtic ...

, where they had a notable impact on Welsh life. Today many Welsh Italians return to Emilia Romagna for short breaks and as a second home. During

World War II World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...

the area saw numerous clashes between the German occupants and the partisans, the city being bombed by 12 Stukas on July 17, 1944.

Main sights

*''Castello dei Landi'' *Parish Church of ''San Giovanni Battista'' (16th century) *Parish Church of ''Santa Maria Addolorata'' (20th century) *Oratory of ''Santa Maria delle Grazie'' (13th century) - It houses an early work by Mannerist painter Parmigianino, the '' Bardi Altarpiece'' (1521) *Parish Church ''San Martino Dicatum'' (Localita Rugarlo di Bardi) *Parish Church of ''Santa Maria Assunta'' - 900AD - (Frazione Casanova di Bardi) *Chapel dedicated to ''San Siro'' *Memorial Chapel of the Arandora Star (20th century) *River Ceno Ceno *Frazione Gravago di Bardi - There is a castle here built in the 8th century and owned by the Landi. *Oratorio della Beata Vergine di Pompei. https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oratorio_della_Beata_Vergine_di_Pompei_(Bardi) *The Mechanical Bear situated in Via Provinciale. A few people make it a tradition to have their photo taken whilst astride the bear every time they visit. They say it brings good fortune and virility although it is unproven.

Notable people

* Aldo Berni, founder, Berni Inn restaurant chain
Walter Belli
World Champion MTB rider.
Andrea Pontremoli
former president and CEO of

IBM International Business Machines Corporation (using the trademark IBM), nicknamed Big Blue, is an American Multinational corporation, multinational technology company headquartered in Armonk, New York, and present in over 175 countries. It is ...

Europe and now CEO and General Manager of Dallara Racing

References

External links

Official website

Amici Val Ceno Galles

Grande Bar Bardi
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