Serravalle - Pieve di San Lorenzo

Serravalle (= narrow valley) is part of the larger Varano de' Melegari. The Via Francigena crossed the river Ceno nearby in medieval times.

A church was erected over the ruins of a Roman temple, dedicated to Diana, within the 10th century. The church, seen today is younger, as the Romanesque structure was destroyed by an earthquake in the 14th century.

It is locally claimed, that the octagonal baptistery (left), to be the oldest structure in the Parma region dating back to the 8th century. It was more likely built in the 10th/11th century, when the church gained importance as "pieve". The baptistery survived the 14th-century-earthquake, that destroyed the neighbouring church.