The idea of an itinerary dedicated to the cinema and the figure of Bernardo Bertolucci in Emilia might seem apparently simple. In truth, there are so many film productions made in his birthplace that the itinerary becomes dense with places, elements and stories that require more than one day to be explored in depth, spanning the provinces of Parma, Piacenza and Reggio Emilia.
Emilia has been the silent protagonist of many films by Bernardo Bertolucci, one of the most visionary directors of Italian cinema. This itinerary is a true journey into the heart of his cinema, discovering the locations that served as the backdrop of his films, including cities of art, castles and river landscapes.
from the alleyways of Parma, immortalised in Prima della Rivoluzione, to the atmospheres of the Bassa Parmense of Novecento, to the villages and historical residences of the Val d'Arda and Bassa Reggiana, this itinerary is a tribute to one of the greatest narrators in images of our era.
The itinerary develops over 3 days, crossing the provinces of Parma, Piacenza and Reggio Emilia.
Along the route, do not miss the opportunity to taste the typical products of the area: from Salumi to Parmigiano Reggiano, from traditional first courses to local wines, each stop offers unique specialities that will enrich your experience.
Given the nature of the itinerary, which touches inland areas, it is advisable to travel by your own means of transport for greater flexibility and to optimise travel time. If you prefer to use public transport, keep in mind that some places may take longer to reach and you may need to plan a longer itinerary.
The journey through Bertolucci's film sets begins in the province of Piacenza. Here to relive the atmospheres of Novecento you can visit:
Set of La Luna is Villanova sull'Arda, where Villa Sant'Agata, the home of Giuseppe Verdi, is located, visited by Caterina.
Tip
Follow the course of the Po to discover the river landscapes that Bertolucci loved so much. The day can end with a dinner in a local trattoria where you can taste pisarei e fasò, typical pasta from Piacenza, and local PDO cold cuts.
We recommend an overnight stay in Piacenza area or in the Val d'Arda to get closer to the next day's stage.
The route continues up the hill to Salsomaggiore Terme. Here you can admire:
One cannot descend towards the Emilian plains without stopping at Casarola di Monchio in the Parma Apennines and visiting the home, later the summer destination, of Attilio and Ninetta Bertolucci and their sons Bernardo and Giuseppe.
Casarola inspired the poetry of Attilio and the cinema of Bernardo and Giuseppe. The chestnut forest provided the backdrop for Bernardo's first film La Teleferica (1956), also appearing in The Tragedy of a Ridiculous Man.
Today, the house, which is located inside the Parco Nazionale dell'Appennino Tosco Emiliano, is registered among the homes and studios of illustrious people in the Emilia-Romagna Region.
It can be visited during special events or celebrations. For information.
On the same day, the journey continues in the historic centre of Parma, which Bertolucci made immortal in his films as every corner of it has seen cameras at work to bring the sets of his masterpieces to life.
What to see
Curiosities
Parma is home to the Bernardo Bertolucci Foundation, in Piazza della Pace 1, which can only be visited by appointment.
Tip
After your visit, treat yourself to an aperitif in Via Farini, one of the liveliest areas of the city. Parma is a veritable open-air museum of Bertolucci's cinema.
For the night, we recommend staying in the city, a strategic point for the next day's travels, or directly in a holiday farm in the Bassa Parmense to be ready to continue the itinerary.
Leaving the city in a westerly direction, it takes about 20 minutes by car to reach the picturesque Bassa Parmense, which provided the backdrop for some of the most evocative scenes in Bertolucci's films.
What to see
Tip
Visit the local taverns to taste the tortelli d'erbetta and culatelli of the Bassa Parmense.
The last stop leads to the Bassa Reggiana, where Bertolucci shot La Strategia del ragno (1970) and Novecento.
What to see
Tip
Do not miss a taste of the spalla cotta di San Secondo, a typical local cured meat, and the cappelletti in brodo reggiani, to be enjoyed in one of the historic trattorias in the area.
