Tour of the castles of the Duchy of Parma - « Back to Tours

The fortresses, castles and palaces in the Province of Parma are considered amongst the most beautiful and well preserved in Italy. Tourists and visitors are spoilt for choice. The village of Bardi, located on the appenine belt, is home to the second largest fortress in Europe, "La Fortezza di bardi".

The fortress dominates the surrounding valley from the top of a huge rock of red jasper. It has towers, walkways running along its imposing walls , a charming inner piazza and numerous frescoed rooms. Compiano, situated on the road that runs from Emilia into Liguria, also has its own castle dating from the year 1000, it too dominates the nearby town and the whole of the Taro Valley. The imposing Castle at Corniglio houses a comfortable hostel where you can stay for the night.

In the hills around Parma tourists can  visit the Castle of Felino, Castello di Felino,  built in the IX century  and later extended, its moat and corner towers give it an air of impressive mightiness. The Castle at Montechiarugolo, a huge, battlemented structure dating from the Xll century preserves all its appeal as witness to a hundred battles. The fortress at Sala Baganza, residence to the Sanvitale Counts, houses some precious VI century frescoes. The castle at Torrechiara, built in the XV century by Pier Maria Rossi is one of the most extensive  and best preserved in Italy, it is home to the some extraordinary works of art such as the “ Camera d’oro” or “ Gold Room” ( with frescoes by Benedetto Bembo). The Castle in Varano is a strategically placed fortress that safeguards the whole of the Ceno Valley.

The Lowland area around Parma: The Palace at Colorno is the sumptuous and monumental residence of the Farnese, the Borbone and Maria Luigia d’Austria. It is a masterpiece of elegant courtyards and frescoed rooms and beautiful waterfalls set in the wonderful French gardens. The Sanvitale Fortress in Fontanellato has a wing that dates from the XIII century. It is situated in the town centre and is home to some real treasures including the cycle of frescoes in the Diana and Atteone Room signed by Pamigianino.

The Castello in Roccabianca was built in the middle of the XV century by Pier Maria Rossi for his beloved Bianca Pellegrini ( bearing her name). It is at once imposing and elegant and guards numerous prestigious paintings. The Rocca dei Rossi fortress in San Secondo is a sturdy, noble residence built between 1300 and 1400, the magnificent interior frescoes celebrate the power and deeds of the Rossi household. The Rocca Meli Lupi fortress in Soragna was built in 1385 and the Meli Lupi family still lives there. It is home to an extraordinary collection of furniture and baroque decorations as well as frescoes and cycles by Nicolò dell'Abate, Cesare Baglione, Ferdinando and Francesco Galli Bibiena.

All the precious sites are coordinated and run by the Associazione Castelli del Ducato di Parma e Piacenza: Magnificent way stones on a suggestive journey into the past, one that is impossible to resist!

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