Riccio de Parma was a knight who participated in the legendary Disfida di Barletta (Challenge of Barletta) on February 13, 1503, when 13 Italian champions faced off against 13 French soldiers. The challenge had arisen from insults a French commander had directed at Italian soldiers in the service of the Spanish crown, at a tavern in Barletta, now famously known as “Cantina della Disfida“.
However, examining Riccio’s official biography reveals that “Riccio de Parma” was actually a nickname for Domenico de’ Marenghi, born in Soragna near Parma, who died from the plague and was buried there in 1521.
The theory that Riccio de Parma was actually from Vasto was proposed in the late 16th century by Virgilio Caprioli, a jurist from Vasto.
Caprioli is also remembered in local history as the owner of the first printing press in Vasto.
By the early 17th century, there was indeed a “de Parma” family residing in Vasto. Some believe the surname originated from the “parma,” the Latin term for the shield used by soldiers. At the time, Vasto had recently become part of the d’Avalos domain, making it plausible that knights from the area fought for the Spanish faction against the French during the war for supremacy over the Kingdom of Naples.
In any case, the name of Vasto’s main street serves as a reminder of how propaganda shapes history and toponymy, more so than the actual birthplace of a 16th-century mercenary.
Although the Disfida di Barletta was a significant event in its time, its historical and literary importance was cemented during the Italian Risorgimento. The battle was revived as a symbol of a nation capable of great valor, even under the control of foreign powers vying for its riches and dominion.
The novel Ettore Fieramosca, written by Massimo d’Azeglio in 1833, centers around the Italian commander who led the 13 knights and became a lasting symbol of Italian unity. The book was adapted into various operatic and cinematic versions. Its peak popularity came with Alessandro Blasetti’s 1938 film, which was promoted by Mussolini’s fascist regime as an example of martial virtue and patriotic spirit.
To capitalize on this reflection of glory, the local administration decided to name the main street of Vasto “Corso Riccio de Parma” in honor of the supposed local hero. Similar initiatives were also taken in Parma and Soragna. This is not so surprising, considering that the Disfida, which actually took place in the fields of Trani, was a matter of dispute between Barletta and Trani, leading to popular uprisings and police clashes that resulted in the deaths of two people.