The pilgrims' town of San Donnino on the Via Emilia and the Via Francigena between Parma and Piacenza, seat of the martyr's great church.
Recognised as a commune by Frederick I in 1162 and entrusted to the Pallavicino, it has been fought over by the two cities for decades; the Piacentini seized it, and Parma took it back in 1199 after beating them on the Taro. Parma will keep it until Frederick II frees it in 1221.
Who holds it
- Name
- The commune of Parma (since its reconquest in 1199)
- Title
- Holder
- Since
- 1199
- Confidence
- medium
Lord in 1200
Parma, which took it back from the Piacentini in 1199; Piacenza and the Pallavicino (Barbarossa's grant of 1162) both claim it. The borgo has its own commune.
Charter
Frederick I's recognition of 1162; its own commune since the early 12th century (en.wikipedia gives 1100). Not a bishop's see in 1200 (the diocese is later).
Council
Its own consuls under Parma's lordship (names not pinned).
Communities
Pilgrims' hospices; the Templars at Cabriolo.
Militia
The townsmen (the borghigiani) fought with the Piacentini against the Parmesans and Cremonese in 1186 at Soragna; their stance in 1200 under Parma is not pinned.
Walls and castle
Walled borgo (circuit not pinned); the church of San Donnino (later the cathedral) under construction in the 12th and 13th centuries.
Trade and crafts
Pilgrims and merchants on the Via Francigena; the Templar house of Cabriolo nearby.
Places of note
- Church of San Donnino: Pilgrimage church on the Via Francigena
Where the sources disagree
Evidence: The 1162 grant and the 1199 conquest are on en and it.wikipedia; its institutions in 1200 are not pinned.
Primary sources for Parma
Chronicles, registers, sagas and inscriptions written in or near 1200 that cover this entry. Each has its own page with editions, translations and where to read it.
- Chronicle of Sicard, bishop of Cremona, Sicard of Cremona (about 1210 to 1213). A universal chronicle whose last part is a well-placed eyewitness account by a Lombard bishop who served emperors and popes. Read online
- The Lombard city annals of Piacenza, Milan, Cremona, Parma, Mantua and Verona (kept in the 12th and 13th centuries). The communes' own year lists. Read online
Sources and studies
Last revised 4 November 2026. Published 4 November 2026. Suggest a correction on the OMNIA Discord.