Ospitaletto è una località nei pressi di Rodiano, nel comune di Marano, che deve il suo nome all’antico Hospitale di Garamola.
Ospitaletto is a locality close to Rodiano which owes its name to the former Hospitale di Garamola. The building is also remembered as Garamollo, or Gramolis and was situated along the same line as San Dalmazio, Bendello, Vie Cave and Pavullo.
In olden times, the Hospitale fell under the territory of the Corte dei Balugola and between 1200 and 1400, it was under the control of Trebbio. Its existence was attested as late as 1449 when the confines between Balugola and Campiglio were defined. In the area surrounding the Hospitale, there was a spring providing Salsoiodica water which was renowned for its therapeutic effects and is still present today in the area of Cà Guidina.
Close to the Hospitale, stood the Chiesa di S.Egidio, mentioned in 1289 in an agreement made between the archpriest of Pieve di Trebbio and a cleric of the same Hospitale. In the same area, there was also a second church mentioned in a document of 1270 known as San Salvatore de Garamolo. The church appears in a later document of the diocese of Modena dated 1592 where it is seems it was dependent on the church of Panzano. In the same year, the church of S.Egidio (in that era transferred from Ca' Guidina to the locality of Chiesa Vecchia) was placed in the care of the parish of Coscogno.
Near Ospitaletto, it is possible to experience the geological, volcanic phenomenon of “Salse”. This is a geological process during which small surface cones are formed, caused by the escape of salt water and different gases such as hydrocarbons from the muddy ground. It is a common volcanic phenonomen in the Modenese foothills.
Where pilgrims and travellers once sojourned
