Castles of Emilia-Romagna
Torrechiara Castle. Photo by: APT Servizi
Castles of Emilia-Romagna
Japanese version
Emilia Romagna エミリア・ロマーニャ州の城 日本語PDFダウンロードはこちらから
When you spot a castle, you always wonder what fairy tale lies behind it. In Emilia-Romagna you can live yourself a fairy tale in one of the many castles of the territory. Emilia-Romagna is a land with a glorious history, this is why it is dotted with castles: they have seen battles, loves, intrigues and conquests. Today about a hundred of these are to welcome visitors.
But if you think that it’s a matter of a simple visit – as it normally happens in the rest of the world – you will be surprises! Because inside the medieval and Renaissance castles of Emilia-Romagna you can enjoy truly exciting experiences: historic dinners in front of the fireplace, nighttime visits to secret towers by candlelight, ghost hunting tours, meetings with the owners who have lived there for centuries, costume battles during an animated fairy tale. And if, at the end of the day, it ‘s hard to get back to everyday life, some manors offer the possibility of sleeping, perhaps in an ancient tower or in the romantic village under the walls.
Why are they special? Many castles in Emilia-Romagna are not a still monument but they have been inhabited by the same noble family for many centuries. There is a lively atmosphere with the castellan who often stops to tell secrets, curiosities, presents his art collections, portraits of ancestors, anecdotes about ghosts (which of course are never missing).
Everyone can choose his own fairy tale from Piacenza to Rimini. The manors have wonderful works of art, such as the sumptuous Rocca Sanvitale in Fontanellato (Pr): it contains one of the masterpieces of Italian Mannerism: the room painted by Parmigianino in 1524 with the myth of Diana and Actaeon. In the Rocca dei Rossi in San Secondo (Pr) you surely get excited in the Sala delle Gesta Rossiane, full of precious frescoes.
Our manors offer treasure hunts, mystery dinners, aperitifs in the towers, snacks in the garden or in the courtyards of honor. There are also animated fairy tales for the little ones like in the Gropparello Castle (Pc): the children are given a costume and an adventure game begins with many characters and a final snack. Those looking for an original idea for New Year's Eve, can book a candlelit tour in an elegant dress with dinner and toasts. All castle owners are used to ghosts and live with them peacefully. If you are not afraid... there are also Ghost Tours. In castles of Emilia-Romagna, you can also get married with a ceremony at the castle, photo shoot, princely banquet. And speaking of food and wine, the fortresses are in the production areas of the best foods in the world, known as "Food Valley": from Parma Ham PDO to Parmigiano Reggiano PDO, from Culatello di Zibello PDO to Extra Virgin Olive Oil from the Hills of Romagna and Brisighella. It’s a pity to miss the chance of tasting them!
Top experiences
- Sleep in a Renaissance castle
In some castles you can even sleep and thus live a dream: spend a night like a nobleman or a Renaissance knight. Some manors make an entire wing or an entire tower available for you only.
- Ghost hunting for those who are not scared
Every castle has its ghost. Just ask and the castellan will tell you about his experiences with his invisible “castle-mate”. Ghost tours are also offered in English language (for info, Castelli del Ducato di Parma e Piacenza: info@castellidelducato.it / info@foodvalleytravel.com)
- Ghost map: castellidelducato.it/mappa-personaggi
- Experience the largest bamboo labyrinth in the World, entirely made of bamboo plants
In Parma in the world’s largest bamboo labyrinth of the world find yourself immersed in another dimension and get the right way among the 300.000 bamboo trees.
- Wear a costume and start playing with funny characters!
Do you remember when you were little and imagined many adventures? In Emilia-Romagna you can do it “live”. The children are given costumes and they can start to play with the funny characters of the castle: animated fairy tales, rescues of princesses…
- Taste the best food in the world from Ham to Parmesan
See a castle and enjoy a food and wine experience with the best foods in the world. All the castles are located in the production areas of these specialties. Don't miss tastings and buyings on site. Emilia-Romagna has the record for PDO and PGI products in Europe. (Protected Designation of Origin and Protected Geographical Indication).