The Castles of the Duchy

The provinces of Parma and Piacenza are rich in fascinating castles and fortresses, all waiting to be visited and admired. Here are some of the most famous: the castles of Torrechiara, Tabiano, Roccabianca, Felino, Montechiarugolo and Scipione in the Province of Parma; Agazzano Castle, Bobbio Castle, Rivalta Castle, Paderna Castle and San Pietro in Cerro Castle in the Province of Piacenza. And what about the village of Vigoleno, the Fortress of Bardi, the Rocche of Sala Baganza, San Secondo and Castell’Arquato? Unique treasures of undeniable charm.

TABIANO CASTLE
Tabiano Castle rises majestically on a hill overlooking the gentle slopes between the Apennines and the Po Valley offering a view that on clear days stretches all the way to the Alps its history dates back to the tenth century when it was built on the remains of a Roman outpost to control the Via Francigena and the precious local salt works once fundamental to the region’s economy for centuries it was a powerful fortress of the Pallavicino Marquises and still preserves its imposing stone structure with battlemented towers and ancient walls inside you will find richly frescoed halls wooden ceilings a ballroom and a private chapel while large panoramic terraces open onto a landscape that changes with the seasons today the castle is also an elegant residence hosting events ceremonies and tastings of local delicacies offering visitors a unique experience between history and beauty

SCIPIONE CASTLE
Nestled in the ancient medieval village of Scipione and surrounded by the greenery of the Stirone River Park Scipione Castle is a jewel of elegance and authenticity founded in the eleventh century by the powerful Pallavicino family it still retains the noble and private atmosphere of a historic residence still inhabited by the descendants of its founders entering means crossing silent courtyards panoramic loggias and sumptuous rooms adorned with original furnishings seventeenth century frescoes and architectural details that tell centuries of history from the Devil’s Sitting Room with its secret door to the library rich in ancient volumes every space holds stories and legends here time seems to flow more slowly offering visitors an authentic immersion into the noble past of Emilia

TORRECHIARA CASTLE
Among the most scenic in Italy Torrechiara Castle stands on a hill overlooking the Parma Valley perfectly blending the solidity of a medieval fortress with the refinement of a Renaissance residence built between 1448 and 1460 by Count Pier Maria Rossi as a pledge of love for his beloved Bianca Pellegrini it houses the celebrated Golden Chamber a unique room decorated with frescoes full of chivalric and romantic symbols the complex is surrounded by three rings of walls and four corner towers giving its profile a fairy tale charm while inside loggias courtyards and frescoed halls take visitors on a journey through time where history art and sentiment are woven together in an unforgettable tale

BARDI FORTRESS
Majestic and imposing the Fortress of Bardi stands on a spur of red jasper overlooking the Ceno Valley offering a striking and dramatic spectacle built in the Middle Ages to control the territory it passed through the hands of the Counts of Bardi the Landi family and the Dukes of Parma transforming from a military outpost into a princely residence its mighty walls enclose courtyards parade grounds ramparts panoramic towers and spaces rich in historical testimony including prisons armouries granaries and ancient kitchens the fortress is also surrounded by legends such as that of the ghost of Moroello the commander in love with Soleste whose story is told during night tours and mystery events today Bardi Fortress hosts permanent exhibitions museum spaces and cultural initiatives making it one of the most fascinating destinations in the Parma Apennines

VIGOLENO CASTLE
Perched on the ridge overlooking the Stirone Valley Vigoleno Castle is the heart of one of the most beautiful medieval villages in Italy completely enclosed by a perfectly preserved wall that offers breathtaking views over the surrounding hills its origins date back to the tenth century and over time it has maintained its defensive structure with battlemented towers walkways and an imposing keep entering the village means stepping into a suspended atmosphere where the slow rhythm of life blends with the charm of ancient stone within the castle are richly decorated historic rooms halls of representation and exhibition spaces hosting cultural events walking along the walls or looking out from the bastions is to immerse oneself in a story of knights ladies and an ancient authentic Emilia

AQRUQATO CASTLE
Dominating the Arda Valley with its unmistakable skyline Castell’Arquato is an extraordinarily well preserved medieval village that unfolds around the majestic Visconti Fortress and the monumental square the historic centre is a maze of cobbled streets stone arches and historic buildings telling centuries of history and power the fortress built in the fourteenth century by the Visconti of Milan towers over the landscape offering views that stretch from the Piacenza hills to the plain and on clear days to the peaks of the Apennines inside a museum route leads through austere yet evocative rooms reconstructing the military and civic life of the village in medieval times Castell’Arquato is also a lively place full of craft shops traditional restaurants and historical reenactments turning a visit into a true journey back in time