Novellara

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Novellara
Comune
Comune di Novellara
Piazza Unità d'Italia

Coat of arms
Novellara
Location of Novellara in Italy
Coordinates: 44°51′N 10°44′E / 44.850°N 10.733°E / 44.850; 10.733
Country Italy
Region Emilia-Romagna
Province Reggio Emilia (RE)
Frazioni Bettolino, Carrobbio, Colombaia, La Bernolda, Minghella, Mulino di Sotto, San Bernardino, San Giovanni della Fossa, Santa Maria della Fossa, Vezzola
Government
 • Mayor Raul Daoli (since June 14, 2004) (Centre-Left)
Area
 • Total 58 km2 (22 sq mi)
Elevation 24 m (79 ft)
Population (30 June 2012)[1]
 • Total 13,955
 • Density 240/km2 (620/sq mi)
Demonym Novellaresi
Time zone CET (UTC+1)
 • Summer (DST) CEST (UTC+2)
Postal code 42017
Dialing code 0522
Patron saint San Cassiano
Saint day May 4
Website Official website
Novellara is a town and comune in the province of Reggio Emilia, Emilia-Romagna, Italy, with some 13,500 inhabitants. It is 19 kilometres (12 miles) north of Reggio Emilia and has a railway station for the local train going from Reggio to Guastalla.

History

The current name comes from the medieval Nubilaria, when the surrounding terrain was mostly covered by marshes, which favoured the formation of recurring fogs.

The town was the seat of the Gonzaga family from the 13th century: here Guido Gonzaga, in the early 14th century, created an effectively independente county which later evolved in a state which lasted until the contemporary era. The family held the title count and were known as the Gonzaga of Novellara in some sources.

After the Gonzaga's end, in 1737, the town passed to the Este of the Duchy of Modena, whose history Novellara followed until 1859, when it was annexed to the newly unified Italy.

Title

As a titular Duke of Modena, the current holder of the title of "Sovereign Count (or Prince) of Novellara" would be Prince Lorenz of Belgium, Archduke of Austria-Este.

Chiesa collegiata di Santo Stefano

Main sights

  • The Jesuit Convent
  • Chiesa Collegiata di Santo Stefano
  • The Rocca Gonzaga ("Gonzaga Castle"). This was built by Feltrino Gonzaga starting from 1350, most likely over a pre-existing fortifications from Lombard times.
  • The Casino di Sotto and Casino di Sopra, summer residences of the Gonzagas. The Gonzaga Museum houses a rare 16th century vases collection.
  • The main square (Piazza Unità d'Italia) with the Church of St. Stephen, important work by Lelio Orsi.

In addition to this, Novellara is also home to the second largest Gurdwara in Europe. This reflects the presence of a very large Sikh community, living in Novellara and nearby places, where they work mainly in cattle farms and dairies.

As in other towns of the region, (e.g. Bologna), streets are lined with characteristic arcades, intended to offer shade in summer and shelter from rain or snow.

Famous people

Twin cities

References

  1. ↑ Population data from Istat
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike; additional terms may apply for the media files.