Renno and its History Nestled in Pavullo, on the right side of the Scoltenna valley, the village of Renno sits on a scenic hillside terrace in the Appennino modenese. The surrounding landscape is authentically rural, shaped by generations of livestock farming, the production of Parmigiano Reggiano, and local viticulture. Historically, the area developed on two levels, reflecting a clear division of power until the 18th century: Renno di Sopra (The Political Hub): The oldest settlement, mentioned as early as 889 and overlooked by the Castello di Montecuccolo. In 931, it hosted an important placito (a judicial assembly) presided over by Suppone III regarding the Frignano territory. Renno (The Religious Hub): This lower settlement grew in the 12th century around the church, which was elevated to a Pieve (parish church) in 1157, becoming the spiritual heart of the entire Frignano. The Romanesque Pieve A true architectural gem, the 12th-century Pieve features a basilica floor plan with three naves, two of which end in an apse. Although the building was modified in the 18th century—with the removal of the bell-gable and the addition of new windows and a portal—the original Romanesque structure still preserves its perimeter walls, columns, pillars, capitals, and internal arches.
