When wheels were made of wood and the engine was still an invention belonging to the future, almost seen as a sorcery, the best way to move between one castle and another was, without any doubt, horse-riding.
Today, for those who venture into the discovery of the Castles of the Duchy of Parma and Piacenza, with detours towards Reggio Emilia manor houses, the solution that allows you to preserve that same sense of freedom, without sacrificing the comfort achieved over the centuries, is called a camper.
A historic residence originally built as a defensive outpost for the Canossa family, Bianello Castle retains all the medieval splendor and grandeur that once welcomed not one but two emperors, guests of Countess Matilda—a historical figure still revered today for her charm and charisma, which have stood the test of time.
It is, of course, her legacy that inspires this first stop on the tour through the province of Reggio Emilia, which from Bianello can continue on to Canossa Castle—the site of Henry IV’s legendary humiliation before Pope Gregory VII— then on to the virtually unchanged structure of Rossena Castle with the nearby Rossenella Tower, and finally to what remains of Carpineti Castle, which offers a breathtaking view from the top of the keep.
Parking Area
A fully equipped RV rest area in Vico di Canossa, at the start of the trail leading to the Castles of Rossena and Canossa, and another one in the village of Carpineti,—both along the Via Matildica del Volto Santo route—are particularly popular with RV travelers looking for a place to take a relaxing break.
The itinerary continues in the province of Parma to Torrechiara Castle: built from 1448 to 1460 with three walls, it is one of the best examples of castle architecture in Italy.
Beautifully preserved, its interior contains numerous frescoed rooms including the famous Camera d'Oro attributed to Benedetto Bembo. The room depicts Pier Maria Rossi's possessions in the Parma area, some 50 castles, and Bianca Maria Pellegrini, his beloved.
The whole manor and its decorations refer to Pier Maria's love for Bianca.
Along the Parma stream Pier Maria built the small abbey of Santa Maria della Neve, which can also be visited.
Parking Area
Camper vans can be parked in the car park at the foot of the castle, with a playground and water supply.
Art lovers shouldn’t miss the chance to visit the Rocca Sanvitale in Fontanellato, also in the province of Parma, famous for the hall depicting the myth of Diana and Actaeon, painted in 1524 by Parmigianino.
Must-see
Among its rooms, the castle also boasts a small theater built for the grandchildren of Marie Louise of Austria and an extraordinary optical chamber that reflects the outdoor plaza through a system of mirrors.
Parking Area
For RVs, Fontanellato has a large, well-equipped paid parking area, Vagabond Camper, less than one kilometer from the Rocca Sanvitale.
In Soragna, the Rocca Meli Lupi di Soragna awaits you—a luxurious residence, perfectly furnished and still inhabited by Prince Meli Lupi.
The Rocca also houses frescoes and painting cycles of remarkable value, as well as an eerie and unsettling mystery: it is said that the ghost of Donna Cenerina—born Cassandra Marinoni—has appeared within its walls; she was brutally stabbed to death by Count Guido Anguissola.
Parking Area
There are three authorized parking and stopping areas available in Soragna.
When the pangs of hunger begin to be felt, the right stop is the Antica Corte Pallavicina of Polesine Parmense (PR), the “gastrofluvial kingdom” of the brothers Luciano and Massimo Spigaroli, who wanted to preserve the rural spirit of the building, turning it, at the same time, into a flag of the Emilian cuisine, where the symbol is the cured meat called Culatello.
A museum is even dedicated to the king of cured meats - which here ages in the venerable cellars.
Tip
From Polesine, we recommend a visit to the neighboring Verdi sites: Roncole Busseto and Villa Sant’Agata, where Maestro Giuseppe Verdi was born, lived, and where his world-renowned musical genius flourished.
After taking advantage of the RV parking area on Via Don Mezzadri in Monticelli d'Ongina, head straight to the Castle of San Pietro in Cerro in the province of Piacenza, a 15th-century structure on the border with the provinces of Parma and Cremona.
Must-see
The itinerary continues deeper into the province of Piacenza, with the Parco dello Stirone and Piacenziano providing a stunning green backdrop to Vigoleno.
Don’t miss the crenellated walls and the panoramic watchtower walkway of the village, dominated by the keep and the castle, which Duchess Maria Ruspoli de Gramont transformed between 1921 and 1935 into an extraordinary cultural salon, frequented by figures such as Gabriele D’Annunzio and Max Ernst.
Parking Area
In Vigoleno, the “Parcheggio Rio delle Noci” RV parking area is free and equipped with restroom facilities.
Further on, Castell'Arquato is a must for a panoramic stop to admire the Rocca Viscontea, located in the upper part of the town next to the Collegiata di Santa Maria Assunta, a splendid Romanesque structure with Gothic and Renaissance parts, and the Palazzo del Podestà.
A renowned film set for some scenes of "Ladyhawke", Castell'Arquato is classified as a "Wine City" and is one of the 100 most beautiful villages in Italy.
The next stop is Gropparello Castle, an ideal destination for all dreamers and especially families who want to offer their children the unique experience of the Park of Tales, the first emotional park for children in Italy, where the Middle Ages are staged every day.
Adjacent to the Castle there is also the Museo della Rosa Nascente (Museum of the Dawning Rose) with 108 varieties of roses for a total of 1350 plants and the Taverna Medievale (Medieval Tavern), a restaurant that combines typical local cuisine with DOC wines from the Colli piacentini in the charming garden in bloom.
Continuing further west, it’s worth making a detour to the Malaspina Dal Verme Castle in Bobbio, a fortified structure that welcomes visitors with its Sala delle Marine and Salone delle Feste.
Must-do
A visit to the former Monastic Complex of San Colombano and the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta.
To know
Bobbio has been recognized since 2006 as one of Italy’s Most Beautiful Villages and, in 2009, as the “Village of Villages ” by the TV show *Kilimangiaro*.
Continuing along the SS45 Val Trebbia road, in the direction of Piacenza, you arrive in the city where the rest area in Via Sant'Ambrogio 22 is strategically located right near the splendid complex of Palazzo Farnese and the unfinished Visconti citadel, today home to the Civic Museums and its collections: Medieval Frescoes, Archaeological, Arms, Art Gallery, Sculptures, Glass and Ceramics.
