5 things not to be missed in Parma, Piacenza and Reggio Emilia
Discover the Excellence of Emilia: Parma, Piacenza and Reggio Emilia
CASTLES, FOOD AND WINE, HISTORY AND MOTORS
Emilia is a region rich in history, culture and culinary traditions that fascinate visitors from all over the world. Among its most fascinating cities, Parma, Piacenza and Reggio Emilia stand out for their excellence, making each visit a unique and unforgettable experience. In this article, we explore the wonders of these three Emilian cities, highlighting the unmissable attractions that every visitor should definitely know about.
Parma: The Cultural Heart of Emilia
Parma is a city renowned for its rich history, culture and, of course, extraordinary food. Among its highlights are:
The Teatro Regio
This prestigious theatre is one of Parma’s cultural jewels, renowned for its perfect acoustics and the magnificent opera and theatre performances it hosts. Although it is less known internationally than La Scala in Milan and La Fenice in Venice, it is considered by opera enthusiasts to be one of the houses par excellence of the great Italian opera tradition.
The Baptistery of Parma
A masterpiece of the junction between Romanesque and Gothic art, the Baptistery is an architectural gem adorned with extraordinary frescoes by artists such as Correggio. Since 1074 A.D. it has always been a symbol of the city’s lively religious tradition, but also a monumental testimony of art, which has been enriched with priceless treasures over the centuries.
The Parmesan Food
A masterpiece of the junction between Romanesque and Gothic art, the Baptistery is an architectural gem adorned with extraordinary frescoes by artists such as Correggio. Since 1074 A.D. it has always been a symbol of the city’s lively religious tradition, but also a monumental testimony of art, which has been enriched with priceless treasures over the centuries.
Dallara, an excellence in the world of car racing
Parma and Emilia are the cradle of some of the most prestigious car brands, and Dallara is one of them, whose museum will take you on a journey to discover the design and production of the fastest cars in the world.
The Masone labyrinth
It is the largest labyrinth IN THE WORLD! Composed of more than 200,000 Bamboo plants of over 20 different species. The labyrinth covers over seven hectares of land with blind alleys, branches and forks: will you make it to the exit in the shortest possible time?
Torrechiara Castle
One of the most famous and celebrated castles in the whole of northern Italy, built by the great condottiere Pier Maria Rossi in 1446 with the aim of controlling and protecting the area that guaranteed access from Liguria and Tuscany, as well as making it his home with his beloved Bianca Pellegrini. The ‘Camera d’Oro’ (Golden Room) is extraordinary in celebrating, at one and the same time, the delicate love story between Pier Maria and Bianca Pellegrini and representing the power of the family through the depiction of all the castles in the fiefdom.
Piacenza: Hidden Treasure of Emilia
Piacenza is a city rich in history and charm, with a surprising cultural heritage. Its highlights include:
Basilica di Santantonino
This is one of the most interesting and complex churches in the city, both architecturally and decoratively. It is an example of Romanesque architecture characterised by a large octagonal tower with a late 15th century cloister to one side.
The Gothic Palace
The Gothic Palace has always been the centre of the institutional life of the Municipality of Piacenza. Built in 1281 thanks to the initiative of Alberto Scotti, it is one of the most important examples of medieval civil architecture. It constituted the fulcrum of Piacenza’s new urban planning programme; representing in fact a new ‘centre’ of the city as desired by the leaders of the popular government.
Castle of Agazzano
One of the most beautiful castles in the entire region where the Gonzaga Del Vodice Princes, one of the most noble dynasties in the history of Italy, still live today. It is an evocative and rare example of history, tradition and culture. The Rocca, accessible via two opposing flights of stairs, overlooks an impressive courtyard with a late 15th-century loggia. Do you believe in ghosts? Discover the legend of the ghost of the swordsman Count Pier Maria Scotti known as “Il Buso” who wanders restlessly, as handed down from generation to generation since 1529, within the walls of the castle of Agazzano.
Cuisine of Piacenza
Given the geographical position occupied by the province of Piacenza, between Piedmont, Lombardy and Liguria, the culinary tradition of Piacenza is the result of a mixture of various regional contaminations and components. We can distinguish the Emilian tradition of salami and pasta, the Lombard and Piedmontese tradition of rice and tripe, fish from the Po River, ‘Luganga’ (Lombard-Venetian sausage) and the Ligurian tradition that makes great use of vegetables. A spectacle for the eyes and the palate!
The "Rocca Viscontea"
This imposing medieval fortress dominates the Piacenza cityscape and is a must-see for anyone interested in military history and medieval architecture. It is an imposing brick building, purely defensive in character, strategically dominating the surrounding valley. The tall tower towering over the village square performed the dual function of defence against external enemies and control over the inhabitants.
Reggio Emilia: Cradle of Culture and Art
Reggio Emilia is a vibrant and dynamic city, known for its rich cultural and artistic heritage. Among its excellences, the following stand out:
The "Tricolore"
Reggio Emilia is the city where the Italian Tricolour, the national flag of Italy, was conceived in 1797. Inside the Municipal Palace is the Tricolour Museum, a must-see for every tourist visiting this city for the first time!
Castle of Canossa
It became the centre of a complex defence system to control the Apennine valleys and plains. It is one of the oldest and most distinctive castles in the entire region due to its geographical position and surrounding territory.
The Basilica of San Prospero
One of the most important churches in Reggio Emilia, the Basilica of San Prospero is a superb example of Romanesque architecture and is dedicated to the city’s patron saint. A testimony to the Emilian Baroque, it is located in the centre of Reggio Emilia and houses, under the high altar, the remains of the patron saint, previously kept in the first monastery dedicated to him outside the city walls.
Palazzo del comune
The centrepiece of the palace is the Sala del Tricolore, designed and built in 1774. The hall is one of the fundamental places in Italian history: here, on 7 January 1797, the representatives of Reggio, Modena, Bologna and Ferrara met to proclaim the Cispadane Republic. It was on that occasion that the three-coloured flag (green-white-red) was adopted, which would later become the Italian national flag in 1848.
Reggiana Cuisine
In the city of Reggio Emilia, authentic flavours, high quality ingredients and a passion for good food are reflected in every dish.
One of the cornerstones of Reggio Emilia cuisine is Parmigiano Reggiano, a renowned PDO cheese that is used in many dishes, from the traditional tortellini in broth to fresh pasta served with butter and sage. Fresh pasta is another undisputed protagonist of the local cuisine, often prepared by hand according to recipes handed down through generations.
In conclusion:
Parma, Piacenza and Reggio Emilia are three extraordinary cities that offer a variety of cultural, artistic and culinary experiences not found elsewhere. If you are planning a trip to Emilia, be sure to include these highlights in your stops to fully experience all that this wonderful region has to offer.