Bassa Parmense

<< Emilia-Romagna

The low-lying area north of Parma is known as Bassa Parmense. A mostly agricultural area, it features various towns with interesting historic landmarks, especially Colorno, Busseto, Fontanellato, and Fidenza. Part of this territory is also called Terre Verdiane (“Lands of Verdi”) because of its connection with composer Giuseppe Verdi.

Colorno

Colorno is town north of Parma, known for its large historic palace. The town emerged during the Middle Ages, becoming a center of regional relevance before living its golden age during the 18th century.

✪ Ducal Palace of Colorno

Also known as: Reggia of Colorno

The Ducal Palace of Colorno (Palazzo Ducale di Colorno) is a large palace built on the site of some previous fortifications. The building was originally a fortress, turned into a noble residence between the 16th and 17th century and later expanded and adorned with rich Baroque and Rococo decorations. Over its history, it has been the residence of noble families such as the Farnese and the Bourbons, and the wife of Napoleon, Marie Louise. The palace houses numerous decorated halls and it features a large park. Adjacent to the building is the Ducal Chapel of San Liborio (Cappella Ducale di San Liborio), a richly adorned 18th-century church.

San Secondo Parmense

San Secondo Parmense is small town in the Po Valley, located northeast of Parma. The village is an agricultural center, best known for its historic castle.

Rocca dei Rossi

Rocca dei Rossi is a fortress located in the center of San Secondo Parmense. The first castle here was built in the 15th century, and it was later reworked and expanded. Some sections were demolished in the 19th century, but the castle still features various halls adorned with Renaissance frescoes.

Fontanellato

Fontanellato is a town located west of Parma in the Po Valley. The city emerged during the Middle Ages, growing around a large fortress, and it is now known for hosting a few interesting attractions.

✪ Rocca Sanvitale

Rocca Sanvitale is a medieval fortress surrounded by a moat in the center of Fontanellato. Erected in various phases during the Late Middle Ages, it was later turned into a noble residence. The well-preserved castle is now a museum hosting several decorated halls, including the Stufetta di Diana e Atteone, a room featuring a series of 16th-century frescoes painted by Parmigianino. The historic stables of the castle, known as Scuderie Sanvitale, are located in front of the Rocca.

Sanctuary of Beata Vergine del Santo Rosario

The Sanctuary of Beata Vergine del Santo Rosario is a Baroque church in Fontanellato erected during the 17th century. The facade of the church features various statues and elaborate decorations, while the interior houses a few artworks.

Labirinto della Masone

Labirinto della Masone is a park in the countryside south of Fontanellato, which includes a large labyrinth made of bamboos. The area also houses a collection of artworks spanning a period from the Renaissance until the present.

Fidenza

Fidenza is the second largest city in the Province of Parma, located west of Parma along the Via Emilia. It was a Roman town with the name Fidentia, but it was destroyed by a barbarian invasion in the 5th century. Later rebuilt as Borgo San Donnino, it was briefly the capital of the medieval Kingdom of Italy in the late 11th century, and then became a free comune. The following centuries saw a period of political turmoil that ended with the town under the rule of the Duchy of Parma and Piacenza. Borgo San Donnino was renamed Fidenza in 1927, recalling its Roman name, and now it features some interesting historic buildings.

Fidenza Cathedral

Also known as: Cathedral of San Donnino

The Fidenza Cathedral (Duomo di Fidenza) is a Romanesque church erected in the 12th century. Its facade is incomplete but the lower half features some elaborate reliefs, sculptures, and decorations dating from the Late Middle Ages. The crypt of the church hosts the relics of Saint Domninus of Fidenza. A small museum adjacent to the church houses a few historic works of religious art. The ruins of a Roman bridge and the ancient city gate Porta di San Donnino are also near the Cathedral.

Palazzo Comunale

Palazzo Comunale is the town hall of Fidenza, originally erected during the 13th century. A good example of Gothic architecture, it was reworked a few times and completely restored in the late 19th century.

Soragna

Soragna is a small town in the Po Valley, located west of Parma. The village emerged during the Middle Ages, becoming a center of regional importance thanks to its fortress.

Rocca Meli Lupi

Rocca Meli Lupi is a historic fortress in the center of Soragna. Originally erected during the Middle Ages, it was later turned into a noble residence for the local lords, and now it hosts a few artworks and some frescoed halls. A small historic building nearby hosts the Museum of Parmesan (Museo del Parmigiano-Reggiano), an exhibition on the history and production of the world-famous cheese.

Busseto

Busseto is a town in Emilia-Romagna, located between Parma and Piacenza. The city emerged in the Middle Ages, and it was for centuries the capital of a small state that was eventually absorbed into the Duchy of Parma and Piacenza. However, Busseto is best known as the birthplace of composer Giuseppe Verdi.

✪ National Museum of Giuseppe Verdi

The National Museum of Giuseppe Verdi (Museo Nazionale Giuseppe Verdi) is a museum dedicated to the great opera composer, hosted in the Renaissance Villa Pallavicino in Busseto. The exhibition showcases the works of Verdi with displays focusing on each of his operas. The Museo Renata Tebaldi, a museum dedicated to the namesake opera singer is hosted in a building adjacent to the villa.

Rocca Pallavicino

The Rocca Pallavicino is a medieval castle located in the center of Busseto. Erected starting in the 10th century, it was later expanded and turned into the residence of the local lords. The fortress was reworked during the 19th century, with the addition of the Teatro Verdi. This theater features elaborate decorations and it is hosted in a wing of the castle.

Casa Barezzi

Casa Barezzi is a museum in Busseto, hosted in a house that once belonged to Giuseppe Verdi’s patron and father-in-law Antonio Barezzi. Here Verdi performed his first concert, and the building now features an exhibition on the works of the composer.

Birthplace of Giuseppe Verdi

Giuseppe Verdi was born in 1813 in Roncole Verdi, a small village near Busseto. His humble birthplace has now been turned into a museum, which features an exhibition on the life of the great composer.