The best MTB trails around Montecchio Emilia

Whether in love or heartbroken, here you can entrust yourself to the luminous soul of the beautiful Fairy Bema, who lived in the Castle of Montechiarugolo, in the province of Parma, a renowned court of humanists and artists. You enter the crenellated manor from the drawbridge. The impregnable fortress with its high walls – defended by machicolations, loopholes, corbels – becomes an elegant Renaissance residence inside. Strolling through the ancient rooms of the Castle of Montechiarugolo, past the splendid gardens adorned with 18th-century statues from the ducal garden of Colorno, you can admire salons, tapestries, period furnishings, frescoes, and flower-scattering putti. The Annunciation attributed to the school of Pisanello stands out. Legend has it that every May 19th around midnight, the ghost of Fairy Bema appears on the castle walls, towards Parma, awaiting the return of her beloved Pio Torelli. A friendly presence that will bring you good luck!

Halfway between Reggio Emilia and Parma, the Castello di Montecchio Emilia dominates the historic center of the town. The beautiful building stands on a site inhabited since Roman and barbarian times, but its first fortified structure dates back to the 12th century. The first walls rise on a burial ground, along the Enza river valley. Its strategic position allows the Rocca to serve as a military post and a symbol of power. Over the centuries, the Castello di Montecchio passes from the hands of the archbishop of Parma and his allies, the Vicedomini, to those of important families such as the Visconti. In the 15th century the town falls under Este dominion; in 1562 Don Alfonso d'Este obtains the title of Marquisate for the town and the Castle becomes a noble residence. The Este rule Montecchio Emilia until the Unification of Italy in 1861. From the end of the 18th century until 1960 the Castle is used as a prison.

Whether in love or heartbroken, here you can entrust yourself to the luminous soul of the beautiful Fairy Bema, who lived in the Castle of Montechiarugolo, in the province of Parma, a renowned court of humanists and artists. You enter the crenellated manor from the drawbridge. The impregnable fortress due to its high walls – defended by machicolations, loopholes, corbels – becomes an elegant Renaissance residence inside. Strolling through the ancient rooms of the Castle of Montechiarugolo, beyond the splendid gardens adorned with 18th-century statues from the ducal garden of Colorno, you can admire halls, tapestries, period furnishings, frescoes, and flower-scattering putti. The Annunciation attributed to the school of Pisanello stands out. Legend has it that every May 19th around midnight, the ghost of Fairy Bema appears on the castle walls, towards Parma, awaiting the return of her beloved Pio Torelli. A friendly presence that will bring you luck!

The main headquarters of the Municipality of Montechiarugolo is located in Piazza Rivasi 3, 43022 Montechiarugolo (PR). The municipality has a polycentric structure divided into 5 hamlets (Montechiarugolo, Monticelli Terme, Basilicanova, Basilicagoiano, and Tortiano), maintaining its administrative and municipal headquarters precisely in the least populated hamlet that gives its name to the entire territory. Montechiarugolo is an Italian municipality of about 11,400 inhabitants located in the province of Parma, in Emilia-Romagna. Location: It is located about 15 kilometers southeast of Parma, along the Enza river. What to See The Castle: It is a 12th-century fortress that dominates the Enza valley. The medieval village develops right around the castle.

Following a nice stretch of GRVL you arrive under the bridge that divides the province of Parma from that of Reggio Emilia

Optimal

Beautiful stretches of smooth dirt road.

Fairly simple tour even if the descent from the house with the purple windows is now impassable due to too many fallen trees!!!!