The best traffic-free bike rides in Parma

La Rocca Sanvitale di Sala Baganza is a fascinating fortress of medieval origin located in Sala Baganza, in the province of Parma. Born around the year 1100 as a defensive structure, it lost its military function over time to transform into a sumptuous noble residence and hunting lodge, hosting three great dynasties over the centuries: the Sanvitale, the Farnese, and the Bourbon. Although three of its original sides were demolished in the Napoleonic era, the building today preserves splendid Renaissance frescoes from the 16th century and is surrounded by the majestic Farnesian Garden.

Monument dedicated to the Italian victory in the Great War, it is located in viale Toschi behind the Palazzo della Pilotta. Its construction began in 1917 to a design by the Parmesan architect Lamberto Cusani, but was only completed in 1931, when it was inaugurated in the presence of King Vittorio Emanuele III. In the shape of an obelisk, it consists of a 10 m high marble column wrapped by a bronze frieze that holds a very long sword, on which a winged female figure, the "Victory", stands on a bronze sphere, the work of sculptor Ettore Ximenes. SOURCE: https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monumenti_di_Parma

What was once a hunting lodge palace like? You can see it at the court of Sala Baganza, nestled in the first hills of the Apennines, near the Baganza stream. It played a primary role in the defensive system of the castles of Parma: here lived counts and dukes for centuries, the Sanvitale, the Farnese, the Bourbon. The Rocca Sanvitale of Sala Baganza, in the province of Parma, is enriched by a large eighteenth-century garden enclosed by walls from the era. Inside, it preserves precious frescoes and stuccoes, settings where women of hearts, culture, and conspiracies spun destinies and plots. From the heroine Donella Rossi to the beautiful Barbara Sanseverino and her stepdaughter Eleonora, sung by Torquato Tasso, and then the controversial Maria Amalia of Habsburg-Lorraine and finally the Duchess of Parma Maria Luigia, a guest in the residence for a long period. Reopened to the public in 2003, it hosts cultural initiatives and concerts organized within the suggestive eighteenth-century Oratory of the Assunta.

The Palazzo Ducale del Giardino (or Palazzo del Giardino) in Parma is a historic Farnese residence located within the Ducal Park. Commissioned in 1561 by Duke Ottavio Farnese and designed by the architect Jacopo Barozzi, known as Vignola. Enlarged in the 18th century by Ennemond Alexandre Petitot with the addition of corner pavilions. Since 1953, the palace has been the headquarters of the Provincial Command of the Carabinieri. The palace is not permanently open to the public as it houses a military barracks, except on the occasion of sporadic extraordinary openings or special events. However, a virtual tour is available on the Municipality of Parma website to admire the frescoes in the attics. The surrounding Ducal Park is a large historic garden freely open to citizens and visitors.

The Castle of Torrechiara is one of the best-preserved castles in Italy, located in the municipality of Langhirano, about 18 km south of Parma. Built between 1448 and 1460 at the behest of Count Pier Maria II de' Rossi, it harmoniously combines the functions of a powerful defensive fortification and an elegant Renaissance noble residence.

The Boschi di Carrega Regional Nature Park was established in 1982 as the first regional park in Emilia-Romagna. It is located in the province of Parma, extending for about 1270 hectares on the river terraces between the Taro river and the Baganza stream, in the municipal territories of Collecchio, Sala Baganza and Fornovo di Taro. This green lung protects a hilly area of immense naturalistic, historical and cultural value, famous for its ducal atmospheres and elegant landscapes.

The Boschi di Carrega Regional Park was established in 1982 as the first regional park in Emilia-Romagna. It is located in the province of Parma, extending for about 1270 hectares on the river terraces between the Taro river and the Baganza stream, in the municipal territories of Collecchio, Sala Baganza and Fornovo di Taro. This green lung protects a hilly area of immense naturalistic, historical and cultural value, famous for its ducal atmospheres and its elegant landscapes.

The Boschi di Carrega Regional Natural Park was established in 1982 as the first regional park of Emilia-Romagna. It is located in the province of Parma, extending for about 1270 hectares on the river terraces between the Taro river and the Baganza stream, in the municipal territories of Collecchio, Sala Baganza and Fornovo di Taro. This green lung protects a hilly area of immense naturalistic, historical and cultural value, famous for its ducal atmospheres and elegant landscapes.