Pieve di Noceto

The parish church of Noceto, dedicated to San Martino, is located in the municipality of Noceto, in the province of Parma. It is connected to the ancient Pieve di San Martino Garfagnana (see Pieve di Madregolo), built in the 12th century in an ancient village to the west of Madregolo.

According to some historians, the parish church of Garfagnana stood on the banks of the river Taro and was destroyed by a flood. The title of parish thus passed to the parish church of Madregolo and Noceto, probably before 1193.

The first news of San Martino di Noceto dates back to 1162 and places it (but not all scholars agree) outside the village. The ancient building was demolished because of its reduced capacity and rebuilt between 1700 and 1750.

The facade of the church is almost completely plastered and is divided into two parts by an entablature. Internally, the church is developed on a plan divided into three naves, with ten chapels. Under the rectory is placed the crypt of St. Francis. Inside the nave is very large and is surmounted by a barrel vault and divided by side chapels with round arches.