Discover Parenti: Forest Trails, History and Village Festivals

Parenti combines forest trails near Bocca di Piazza with its traditional local history, village festivals and potato-growing tradition.

Forest Trails and Local History in Parenti

Near Bocca di Piazza in Parenti, there are forest trails among centuries-old fir and beech trees. The forest trails provide a tangible connection with nature within the same local setting that also contains churches, squares, buildings and historic lanes. In this way, Parenti connects the landscape around Bocca di Piazza with the historic sites of its local history. In Parenti, the name Bocca di Piazza links the forest area with the potato festival.

At the Parrocchia della Madonna del Carmine, the first surviving records date from 1752. The central altar is dedicated to the Madonna del Carmine. The year 1752 marks the beginning of the surviving records; the dedication of the altar echoes the name of the Madonna del Carmine. Piazza Chiesa is also home to the Monumento ai caduti di Parenti, which was inaugurated on 11 November 1924.

Palazzo Bruni also tells the story of the municipality's development. The Bruni family donated the palazzo to the municipality in 1936. Initially, the building housed the primary school and the seat of the municipal administration; later, it became the municipal library. The Museo delle arti e mestieri contadini preserves old tools once used by the grandparents of local residents. For those interested in culture, the Parrocchia della Madonna del Carmine, the Monumento ai caduti di Parenti, Palazzo Bruni and the Museo delle arti e mestieri contadini stand alongside one another in Parenti as tangible points of local interest.

The present-day historic centre of Parenti is located where the new “presidi” began to take shape. Baron Luigi Ricciulli had his palace built in the highest part of the village. The historic centre contains narrow concrete lanes known as “vinelle”, which lead to small squares and stairways. These lanes connect the lower and upper parts of the village.

Festivals, Potatoes and Equestrian Sports

The Gara del Carro is a race involving wooden carts and ball bearings that originated in Parenti in 1992. It takes place every year on the third Sunday in September together with the Santa Liberata festival. Another event is the Sagra della Patata di Bocca di Piazza. It takes place in the hamlet of Parenti every year on the last Sunday in August. The Gara del Carro and Santa Liberata therefore take place in September, while the Sagra della Patata is held in August. Typical potato dishes prepared by local residents are served there. The Sagra also includes a horse gathering with riding games, skill competitions and horse parades. The Sagra connects the local potato economy with traditional dishes and a horse gathering. Each event takes place on a Sunday.

Today, the hamlets of Parenti are characterised by an almost entirely agricultural economy based on potato cultivation. This gives the potato a direct connection with the area's local character at the Sagra.

The same travel area also includes Cassano Allo Ionio, Tortora Marina, Roggiano Gravina, Buonvicino, Terranova Da Sibari, Laurignano and Bonifati.

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