Located along the ancient Brattello route, the village of Grondola still preserves the remains of a castle so strategic that it sparked long wars between the towns of Parma, Piacenza, Pontremoli, and the Malaspina family, the last descendants of the Obertenghi. A true mountain fortress of great military importance, it featured a series of scattered fortifications throughout the territory that complemented the strength of the central castrum, a tower that even eight centuries later, still rises from the forest near the village.

At the location where the fortress stands, the ancient Borgallo and Brattello routes converged, connecting roads to the valley floor and the Cisa Pass.

In the village of Grondola, there are still traces that take us back to distant eras; these include distinctive portals adorned with marble bas-reliefs and ancient architraves decorated with clear Christological symbols.

In Grondola, the Madonna of Montemese is venerated, named after a site not far from the village where an oratory dedicated to the Holy Annunciation (SS. Annunziata) has stood since the late 15th century. Inside the Montemese sanctuary, a unique polychrome wooden sculpture is preserved and is transferred to the parish church on the last Sunday in July for the annual festival.