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OUR LAND You can choose between: CULTURAL CITIES; CASTLES; GIUSEPPE VERDI'S PLACES OF BIRTH AND LIFE; GASTRONOMIC TOUR; NATURE AND SPORT Cremona The historical center of Cremona still keeps its old, Roman urban setting with the crossing of two main axes, the “cardo” ( today C.so Campi, via Verdi, via Monteverdi) and the “decumano” ( C.so Cavour, Via Cavallotti e via Jacini). Near P.zza del Comune they brought to life, in Via Solferino, a piece of “basolato” of one of the smallest streets. Some traces of the Roman town, particularly the precious pavements decorating some “domus” of a living area of that time, between the streets Cadolini, Anguissola, Plasio and the east side of P.zza Roma, can instead be seen in the building of Banca del Monte in Via Guarneri del Gesù and in the cellars of the “Capra-Plasio” junior school. The rest of the Roman town is partly still covered by the actual town, yet some important findings (ex. statues) can be seen both in the archeological section of Museo Civico, now being restructured, both, on demand, in the restauration lab in the former church of San Lorenzo in via Gerolamo da Cremona, built in X c. On the site of an ancient necropolis, very close to the ancient way of via Postumia. At a short distance, always in Via Gerolamo da Cremona, there’s the side of the oldest church of the town, San Michele Vetere, probably founded by the Longobards (cent. VII – VIII), but remanied in XII century. Our itinerary starts from Piazza del Comune, a square already included in the Roman town as it’s confirmed by the rests of Roman streets in the near via Solferino, while the nice monuments surrounding it go back to the time of commons, a period that saw the town in the first line, against Milan; here’s Torrazzo, a huge tower of 111 metres built between 1267 and 1305, that can be visited thanks to a stair of 487 steps, and Bertazzola, a Renaissance balcony linking it to the Cathedral. The Cathedral, started in 1107, ruined after an earthquake in 1117 and consecrated in 1190, is an interesting example of Romanic-Lombard architecture with a facade decorated with a double line of small balconies, a rose window (1274) and a Renaissance crowning; the “protiro” of XIII century, decorated with the Months, has the statues of Mary and of the Saints Protectors Imerio and Omobono (1310). A periplus of the building (from via Boccaccino) allows people to look at the northern transept, completely in terracotta, of 1288, the whole apse with its gallery and the southern transept of 1342 in front of palazzo Vescovile (cent. XVIII-XIX). The interior, somptuous and rich in masterpieces, we remark the presence of the frescos in the nave (Stories of Mary and Jesus, 1514-1522), the painting of Mary on the main altar (B. Gatti, 1575) and the wooden chorus (G. M. Platina, 1483-90). To complete the square there’s Battistero, an octagonal building of 1167, Loggia dei Militi (c. XIII), the former siege of the city army, and Palazzo del Comune with the typical structure of the Lombard “Broletto”; you can visit some rooms but, most of all, the Room of Violins where you’ll find the exposition of some works of art of cremonese violin-making. Near piazza del Comune, at the beginning of via Sicardo, there’s the interesting church of San Gerolamo (c. XVII) while, after crossing piazza Cavour and taking corso V. Emanuele, you can admire at 42 Palazzo Ala Ponzone, a Neoclassical building siege of the City Hall Offices, in via Ponchielli the Chiesa di San Marcellino, (a Jesuit foundation) and still in corso V. Emanuele at 52, Teatro Ponchielli, built in 1806 by L. Canonica; on the side of the theatre via Cesari brings to Chiesa di San Pietro al Po, already a Benedictine monastery, very much remained in the centuries XV-XVI, with a late-Manieristic interior and a nice close closter. The musical and violin-making past of Cremona left in town some important traces as first those connected with Antonio Stradivari’s life like his wedding house in 57, corso Garibaldi which has been his home and lab since 1667, or the copy of his tombstone, today in the public gardens in piazza Roma, created in 1870 on the place where there were the church and the monastery of San Domenico, the place of his burial. At a short distance from the gardens, in square Stradivari, a modern statue reminds of the great artist, but the most direct witnesses of his art can be seen at Museo Stradivariano, a sector of the Civic Museum, in a unique set of exposition: wooden forms, models and tools from his lab or sold by his son at his death; later on passed to many collections and finally given to the town in by the violin-maker Giuseppe Fiorini. The result of this decision is also the precious and rather unique collection of violins at the City Hall Palace, that allows the amateurs to admire all at once some works of art, one can find nowhere else, created by Andrea Amati, Antonio and Gerolamo Amati, Nicolò Amati, Giuseppe Guarneri, Antonio Stradivari and Giuseppe Guarneri del Gesù. The town is still the capital of modern violin-making as it is confirmed through the several labs, scattered in the quiet central streets, but also some important institutions that work in the field of teaching. So that at Raimondi Palace we have the International School of Violin-Making, the Faculty of Musicology and the “W. Stauffer” Foundation that promotes every year, among other things, some lessons of improving for violinists; at elegant Fodri Palace, built in 1490 and rich in great terracotta decorations, there’s the Ente Triennale and the Exhibition of Arch Instruments that won some editions of the “Concorso Internazionale di Liuteria”. It is going to be completed, finally, at Pallavicino Palace in via Colletta the National Center for Restoration and Conservation of Music Instruments, a “unicum” at a national level and so a certain sign of the role the town can still play in the field of violin-making and music in general. Piacenza Placentia, founded by the Romans in 218 BC at the same time as Cremona, is the oldest Roman colony in Northen Italy. Allied to other Lombard towns it fought against “Barbarossa”, who humiliated the city by forcing it to pull down its walls. Local lords followed, first the Visconti and then the Sforza. In 1545, after a brief period of French rule, Paolo III Farnese, made it into a duchy, together with Parma, for his son Pier Luigi. The best of the city centre can be seen along the “Via Francigena” an old pilgrim route, including the beautiful Piazza Cavalli with the Gothic Palace, Palazzo dei Mercanti and Palazzo del Governatore, Piazza Cittadella with the majestic Farnese Palace, Piazza Sant’Antonino and its church and the nearby Municipal Theatre, and Piazza Duomo with its cathedral and Piazza Borgo. Palazzo Gotico. Tiled in terracotta with both Romanesque and arched triple lancet windows, it was commissioned in 1281 by Alberto Scoto, Lord of Piacenza. The large hall has an architrave ceiling in decorated wood. Outside are the two statues of father and son, Alessandro e Ranuccio Farnese, on horseback, after whom the square- Piazza Cavalli - is named. Palazzo Farnese. A majestic building, visible from the direction of Milan. The illumination at night enhances its shape and the important exhibitions and cultural events held there command respect. The Farnese family fortunes flourished under the papacy of their most powerful relative, Paul III, who in 545 secured the cities of Parma and Piacenza for his son, Pier Luigi. In fact Piacenza should have been the capital of the new Duchy, consolidated also by the Cateau-Cambresis Peace in 1559, but the Farnese opted for Parma and consequently Pier Luigi was killed in a palace conspiracy. The absence of a court therefore increased the importance of the Piacenza nobles. During the 17th century the Farnese and the Este were the most important families in Emilia but they dwindled out in the mid 18th century. It also houses the Pinacoteca, picture gallery with 15th and 16th century works from the Emilian, Venetian, Genoese and Cremona schools. In the Camera dei Cavalieri (Knights’ Rooom) there are the famous Madonna Adoring Her Son with St. Giovannino by Sandro Botticelli. The Museo Civico in the Sala del Trono ( Throne Room) has paintings by Brescianino, Tempesta and Sebastiano Ricci. Also frescoes depicting the life of St. Catherine and statues of the Prophets, plus Murano glass, pottery, gold jewellery and Romanesque sculptures and arms. The Museo delle Carrozze with its carriage collection donated by Conte Barattieri, has 40 exhibits including two lovely mid 17th century berlin gala carriages and open carriages for promenading. And finally in Palazzo Farnese you can visit the Museo Archeologico wich displays Etruscan, Greek and Roman finds. Museum opening hours: Tuesday to Saturday: 9.00 am to 1.00 pm. Friday and Sunday: 9.00 am to 1.00 pm and 3.00 pm to 6.00 pm. Cathedral. Built between 1122 and 1235 and Romanesque in style, the façade is made from the pink marble of Verona and sandstone and the minor portals are by Wiligelmo and Nicolò da Ferrara. Inside a Madonna protects the people of Piacenza under her cloak and the crypt is dedicated to Saint Giustina. The 15th century wooden reredos is by Antonio Borlengo. The cupola with its eight frescoes by Pier Francesco Mazzucchelli (“il Morazzone”) and Giovan Francesco Barbieri (“il Guercino”) is worth a look. On the left side is the bell-tower over 67 metres tall with the 1341 guilt copper angel at its top. Sant’Antonino church. Built in the 16th century and reconstructed around 870. Dedicated to its patron saint, a Roman legionnaire in Gaul martyred near Piacenza. Inside is the 15th century wooden crucifixion. In the museum are 15th century polyptychs and illuminated manuscripts, silverware, chalices and a text dated 840 by Lothario, king of Lorraine. Art Galleries. Collegio Alberoni, commissioned by Cardinal Giulio Alberoni and including important works of art such as the 1473 Ecce Homo by Antonello da Messina. Then Galleria Ricci Oddi, in the ex-monastery of San Siro, contains over 850 works of Italian modern art, a good part of which comes from the private collection of Giuseppe Ricci Oddi, donated to the city in 1924. The works are arranged regionally in 19 rooms being dedicated to single artists or foreign painters. Open from Tuesday to Sunday 10.00 am to noon and 3.00 to 6.00 pm. Palazzo Arata. Built between the 17th and 18th centuries which passed to the Montaretto Marullo family in the 60s. the country house measuring over 1200 sq.m. includes 11 apartments plus the caretaker’s quarters. The mature English style garden was designed by Giulio Ulisse Arata, where originally there was an unkempt courtyard. You can visit this one of the most beautiful gardens in the heart of the city every day with English or French guide. Please book at phone number Finally in Piacenza walk along the best streets for shopping: Via XX Settembre, Via Cavour, Corso Vittorio Emanuele, Via Garibaldi, Via Calzolai, Via S. Giovanni, Via F.Frasi, Via Sopramuro, Via Verdi, Via Scalabrini and Via Chiapponi. Then the Mura, the walled part of the city along the Via Maculani is on the banks of the River Po. This embankment is used for Sunday walks and sports such as canoeing. Another green sport is the car-free “Pubblico Passeggio”, a very long avenue where city-dwellers walk with their families, enjoying the shade on hot, sultry evenings. Informations from the guide “On the road” about Piacenza, Cremona, Mantova and the walled towns. Bobbio at about Veleia Romana, is an Archeological Site: originally a Ligurian settlement, it became in I century B.C. a Roman town. In 1747 the ‘Tabula Alimentaria Traianea’ (II century A.D.) came to light. This bronze board, that quotes the landed properties of the area, is the most important document of the Roman history. In 1763 another bronze panel describing the ancient laws, the ‘Lex Rubria de Gallia Cisalpina’, was discovered. The archaeological remains tell that Veleia, once a famous centre because of its therapeutic waters, had the layout of the typical Roman towns. Firstly they met the spa with ‘frigidarium’, ‘tepidarium’ and ‘calidarium’. Then there was the ‘antiquarium’, used as storage for agricultural products, and walking along the narrow streets paved in cobblestones they saw the ‘pistrinum’, the corn and the oil mills. The shops and houses foundations are still visible. In the middle the forum, once surrounded by columns and statues, next to it the basilica and in front of it a temple, a well and the amphitheatre. In the basilica there were twelve statues dedicated to the Julius – Claudia family and the ‘Tabula Alimentaria’. The typical house was the ‘domus’ for just one family characterized by the arrangement of the rooms all around the lobby. The ‘Antiquarium’ is in a small building, wanted by the Duchess Maria Luigia, inside the archaeological site: it preserves architectural materials, sculptures, inscriptions and funeral objects such as buckles, rings, bracelets, lances, iron swords and ceramics.
In the dukedom of Parma and Piacenza history, art and food have always featured the landscape that sweetly declines towards river Po. Time seems to have stopped like the green spring, the sun of summertime, the foggies of autumn, the white snows. Time passes by, unchangeable, leaving everything the way it was. We are left with the actions and lovestories of the Rossi, the Sanvitale, the Sanseverino, the Fulgosi, the Barattieri, the Dal Verme, the Marazzani, the Lupi and the Meli, the Torelli, the Scotti, the Sforza, the Landi, the Pallavicino, the Farnese, the Borbone, up to Maria Luigia and Napoleon. They echoe in the narrow manors, made more precious by the paintings of the Lombardi masters, first of all Mazzola Francesco, better known as Parmigianino. Defensive buildings, centres of passing and boundaries, administrative and powerful sieges, the Castles of the Dukedom are today at the visitors’ disposal, as they can see again into the fortresses and into the wonderfully decorated rooms the stories of the powerful families and of the main artists who featured more than 300 years of history.
FORTRESS AND CASTLE OF AGAZZANO They are the centre of the main village of the valley, the old property (century XIII) of the Scottis, who still nowadays dominate it, with Princess Luisa Gonzaga Anguissola Scotti. The Fortress, where one can only enter through two opposite staircases, leans out on a great court and it represents the perfect union between the serious Medieval defensive structure and the elegance of the Renaissance refined manor. The castle, turned at the end of the XVIII c. into a quiet, noble house, is equipped with ancient furniture and it has inner, elegant decorations and precious frescos. LOCATION: Village of Agazzano, 22 km from Piacenza FACILITIES: book-shop, toilet and special entrance for dishabled, suitable places for wedding parties, conventions, business dinners, photographic sets, temporary exhibitions. LOCATION: village of Gropparello, 27 km from Piacenza
FACILITIES: guided tours in foreign languages (English and French); The Shop (books, jewels, learning games connected with sciences, nature, music, fables; a rich collection of peluche Medieval soldiers, ceramics, old dolls, DOC wines); chance to pay with credit cards (only for the restaurant and the book-shop); rest place; Medieval Tavern. VISIT TOUR: noble rooms, walkings, castle, courts. Parc of Fables*: paths in the wood, both for the guided tour and for the children’ adventure. * We advise comfortable shoes for the woods and a raincoat in case of bad weather.
CASTLE OF PADERNA Its severe appearance, its solid walls, a ditch that is still full of water take us backwards in centuries. Already documented at the beginning of the ninth century, in 1453 the castle became property of the Marazzani family from Rimini, the ancestors of the actual belongers, the nobles Pettorelli. In '400 it took the actual shape of an elegant fortress, with a wide farm court, with its church dedicated to Saint Mary, with a Greek cross base and older columns, as a testimony of the original “castrum”. Today it’s the master residence, a biological, learning farm and the siege of important events connected with the earth. LOCATION: village of Pontenure, 13 km from Piacenza
FACILITIES: book-shop.
CASTLE OF RIVALTA Quoted in some documents already since 1048, in XIV century it joined the property of the Landis, who still own it with the side of the family of the counts Conti Zanardi Landi. A very elegant refined residence, surrounded by a beautiful parc, among its usual guests it includes the members of the English Royal Family and it introduces itself with a unique skyline of one of its towers. You can visit the saloon of honour, the dining room, the kitchen, the cellars, the prisons, the bedrooms, the tower, the room of the weapons, the gallery, the room of billiard, the museum of military costumes. LOCATION: Rivalta, village of Gazzola, 14 km from Piacenza FACILITIES: guided visits in foreign languages (English and French only with reservation for groups), book-shop (books, T-shirts, hats, pencils and prints).
FORTRESS OF OLGISIO Stuck into the rock, in a position of control of the downwards streams Tidone and Chiarone, it is one of the most ancient and beautiful fortresses of the region, surrounded by six lines of walls. Founded around 1000, in 1348, after several belongings, it was given by Gian Galeazzo Visconti to Jacopo Dal Verme, the brave winner of the battle of Alessandria against Firenze. The fortress, where it is also possible to stay during the night, has an irregular base one can enter only through the northern side thanks to a nice yet steep street. The castle concerns several connecting rooms that end up with a small, XVI century gallery. LOCATION: village of Pianello Val Tidone, 35 km from Piacenza FACILITIES: wardrobe, book-shop (books, postcards, hats, T-shirts, wallpictures), automatic rest-places.
CASTLE OF SAN PIETRO IN CERRO It is erected almost on the boundary with the provinces of Parma and Cremona, in the piacentino land, a short way after Cortemaggiore, founded in 1460 by Bartolomeo Barattieri, (a jury and an ambassador by Pope Jules II’s court), whose family had its property until1993. The building is made up of thirty richly furnished rooms, two saloons of honour, the kitchens, the prisons. In the underroof you can find the “mim”, Museum In Motion, a collection of more than 400 works of art – pictures, sculptures and drawings – by some contemporary masters, both Italian and Foreigner, with a part dedicated to the painters from Piacenza. One can see the historical library, rich in about 2000 volumes, with a previous reservation. LOCATION: village of San Pietro in Cerro, 20 km from Piacenza
FACILITIES: guided visits in foreign languages (English, French, German, Spanish only with a reservation), a wardrobe, a book-shop.
CASTLE AND VILLAGE OF VIGOLENO A perfect exemple of the living logics of Middle-Age, still complete in its structures, and rich in historical witnesses, that’s the Fortified Village, on the line dividing the valleys of the streams Ongina and Stirone. The importance of the castle is connected with the name of the Scotti family, who had been keeping it until the beginning of the XX century. The appearance of the building shows some unusual influences from Tuscany, maybe due to the working of men from Lunigiana. The urban structure is dominated by the four-shaped castle, with its windows and “ghibellini” battlements. Near the west side of the walls there’s the church of St. George, dating to the second half of XII century. LOCATION: Vigoleno (village of Vernasca), 45 Km from Piacenza FACILITIES: guided visits in foreign languages (English, French, only with a reservation for at least 20 people) Tel. 329.7503774), gadgets (postcards and books). Built by Luchino Visconti between 1342 and 1349, the fortress passed in 1404 to the Scotti family, then to Filippo Visconti. In 1466 it joined the belongings of the Sforza family who held it until al 1707, when it became part of the Dukedom of Parma and Piacenza. It still dominates the village and the valley of Val d'Arda with its towers. The building, all made up of stone, is composed of two parts connected one another: a lower, larger squared wall, disposed on two levels, and a smaller one, which stands higher. The castle stands over the whole building, once it was isolated, as the top point of the urban defense and of the system of surveillance of the entire valley. LOCATION: village of Castell'Arquato, 33 km from Piacenza
FACILITIES: guided visits in foreign languages, book-shop.
And don’t forget castles near Parma: Fortress of Bardi, Castle of Torrechiara, Fortress Meli Lupi of Soragna, Castle of Roccabianca, Castle of Montechiarugolo, Fortress San Vitale in Fontanellato, Castle of Compiano and Royal Palace of Colorno Informations from www.castellidelducato.it
The careful traveller who visits the places that saw Giuseppe Verdi as a child, then as a young boy in love with his music and later on as a man and a mature composer, will be able to catch the connections with his intense music activity. For sure, together with the happy and sad events of his life, the places we will talk about and the artistic testimonies there are, as a remain of a noble past, deeply influenced the training of a musician who was a protagonist of his artistic and moral times and a genius in the world of music. Notoriously Busseto is the place most connected with the Artist’s name. The historical centre, which dates back to XII c. and which was once fortified, is represented by Piazza G. Verdi (the square), in which centre there’s the monument dedicated to him and which is surrounded by three important historical buildings: Palazza Comunale, Rocca and Collegiata di S.Bartolomeo. Rocca (the Fortress) was built in 1250, fortified in XVI c. and completely re-done in XIX c. in a Gothic style; we can quote the two towers and the Clock Tower (of 1600). Inside, there’s the Town Hall (XV c.) and Verdi’s Theatre, opened in 1868 and, after being restructured, given to the lovers of singing. Collegiata di S. Bartolomeo, built in 1400, still has a Gothic façade with a Renaissance door, a beautiful rose window and a stone to remind the meeting of pope Paul III and emperor Charles V. The interior is enriched by Rococo’ plasters and many frescoes. Please note some buildings in central Via Roma: Palazzo Barezzi, the original residence of Verdi’s father-in-law and first supporter, Palazzo Orlandi, the siege of the Museum of Verdi’s belongings, Palazzo del Monte di Pietà (end ‘600) with its Library opened in 1768. Outside the historical centre, see the XVI century Villa Pallavicino, the siege of the Civic Museum, with its rooms all furnished in style and decorated with plasters of 1700, and in front of it, S. Maria degli Angeli, a Gothic building of 1470 created by the Pallavicinos. Giuseppe Verdi actually comes from Roncole Verdi, the small centre near Busseto, where you can visit his homeplace. This small village also has an exhibition dedicated to Giovannino Guareschi, the famous writer of “Don Camillo e Peppone”, whose body is in the cemetery of Roncole. To have a complete ideal itinerary, we remind you of Villa Verdiu in Sant'Agata, created in 1847-1848 by the Artist himself and still inhabitated by his relatives, who kept the original furniture and opened it to the audience. One can't say to know Verdi without visiting the house where he has lived for long and where he always loved to go back after his journeys in Italy and Europe. Villa Verdi at Sant’Agata, a small village near Villanova sull’Arda, was bought by Verdi in 1848, and he has lived there since 1851, making it his real house throughout the years. He actually made the first drawings, gave the detailed indications for the choice of materials and the measures for the enlarging of the original house, until it became what he wanted and we see it today. Here the most famous music composer lived and worked, enjoying the necessary loneliness for his genius and his shy personality. The house, partly inhabited by his relatives, the Carraras – Verdis, is untouched with the original furniture, as its owner should come back sooner or later. Also Bruno Barilli noticed that, we can feel it as soon as we enter. Among the main belongings there are the pianos Verdi used in the period between the writing of Rigoletto and Aida; the picture of Giuseppina by Tenerani, the picture of Verdi by Vincenzo Gemito, some autographs by Manzoni, some medals and souvenirs of Requiem, some original photographs, Verdi’s music library and many other memories of strong evocative power to decorate the rooms. Near Verdi’s changing room they re-built the room with the bed where he died on January 27, 1901, after coming back from Grand Hotel et de Milan, and a window with the funeral image of his face and of his right hand. Outside, the large English park, with the burials of Verdi’s dogs, many rare trees, the small lake and the sculptures by Giuseppe Torretti from Venice, coming from Villa Pallavicino in Busseto. Cremona Thanks to the fertile countryside around, most of which cultivated with cereals and fodder, Cremona has always distinguished itself for the high quality of its cattle and pig breedings. That’s why, in the cremonese food, hams and cheese have always played a great role, and particularly for the hams “salame cremonese” with its softness and its delicate scent of garlic, together with the tasty “cotechini” and “salami da pentola”. Many creameries scattered in the area produce also a wide range of cheeses, all different for their hardness; among the first, an important place is for “grana padano”, which is present both in the more and less mature quality, while among the second we find many kinds of “cacio”, more or less spicy. As concerning cheese, the latest trends tend to combine them with what has been for ages the top of the cremonese cuisine, that’s to say the typical cremonese mostarda, which is different from others thanks to its original, spicy taste of mustard mixed with the sweetness of fruits. With such an unusual taste not only the cremonese cheese, yet also the famous “lessi” (boiled meat) go together well (the capon but also the already quoted cotechino), while the traditional “marubini” (their recipe has only recently been certificated) have to be served with the ancient soup of the three meats (beef, calf and chicken). Another pillar of the cremonese food tradition, connected with its history and in particular with the magnificent wedding between Bianca Maria Visconti and Francesco Sforza, is “torrone”, a selected mix of albumens, honey and almonds which is by now widespread all over the world also thanks to industry products, but which is still nowadays produced by many craftsmen who have also created the “violino di torrone” (nougat violin), as a natural consequence, through food, of the great violin-making tradition of the town. Piacenza The most requested souvenirs of Piacenza are the products of the local cuisine and wines; it’s not by chance that the land has been well-known for its good food and wines since ancient times. In XVI century the merchants from Parma and Milan used to buy the “piacentino” cheese to sell it in Florence and Lyon; today here many cheeses are produced, as famous as Grana Padano DOP and Provolone Valpadana DOP, of which Piacenza is the only place of production at the south of the river Po. Medieval images of the “sacred” act of the killing of the pork at San Savino church in Piacenza or at San Colombano abbey in Bobbio are a witness of the secular tradition of the culture of the pork, actually perfectly represented in the famous “piacentini” hams: coppa, salame and pancetta. In the famous Etruscan liver at the Museo civico in Piacenza, an inscription reminds of Fufluns, the god of wine, while the “piacentini” wines were praised by Cicero. The top product of the 18 DOC “piacentini” wines is Gutturnio, which gets its name from a silver, Roman cup that was found by chance on the sides of the river Po at the end of XIX century. From the red to the white to the aged, the DOC “piacentini” wines see among their poductions: Barbera, Bonaria, Novello, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Nero, Pinot Spumante, Pinot Grigio, Ortrugo, Malvasia, Trebbianino Val Trebbia, Monterosso Val d’Arda, Val Nure, Vin Santo, Vin Santo di Vigoleno, Sauvignon and Chardonnay. They are a strong part of the Emilia Romagna tradition of pasta: anolini di stracotto and tortelli con la coda, two main courses based on ricotta and spinach. Once they were served only for important religious celebrations, so that they were named by Valente Faustini, the most famous piacentino local poet: “L’anvein l’è un gran siùr, al tourtel l’è’l so fatùr (anolino is a great lord and tortello is its farmer). Coming from high, appreciated cuisine is bomba di riso, while in poor cuisine we find pisarei e fasö, created to use the remains of bread. These small “gnocchi”, made with flour and bread, everything moulded into water, are cooked with a lot of bean souce (seven beans for one “gnocco”). Among the second courses we find sicula ad cavàl, a horse meat cooked with tomatoes, onions and peppers; coppa arrosto and tasto, a local version of the more famous “genovese” cima. Have a nice trip and…Enjoy your Meal! In the heart of Pianura Padana, the area of Cremona is a mix of land and water. The running of rivers Po, Oglio, Serio and Adda ensure to the countryside a unique charm, a regular beauty with its lines of poplars. It’s a nice landscape where the need of agriculture goes together with the respect for the environment. Parco del Serio, that of Oglio, tenuta del Boscone or oasi Le Bine are a sign of a wish, turned into reality, to protect the original environment of the plain, that has been deeply transformed according to the needs of production. Many bike itineraries allow people to plunge themselves into the true nature of the plain. The river Po will lead them with its slow running, yet rich in history and charm. The river sailing on boats or “pontoons” (floating houses) will let you have a straight contact with the river. Isola De Pinedo is a natural site where you can admire the tipycal habitat of river areas, with woods of willows and poplars, reeds and ponds of water for birds. Oasi del Pinedo is a large wet protected area near one of the most interesting and nicest places near river Po. It offers a land featured with many kinds of trees and flowers. Here every spring hundred of birds of any specie come back, as they find here the ideal conditions for living and resting. 13 out of 134 species that rest in the area of Piacenza are exclusive of Oasi de Pinedo. The area is between Caorso and Monticelli D’Ongina, from the mouth of river Nure until the breakwater of Isola Serafini with the close Oasi de Pinedo and the whole right side of river Po. The protected area has been recently enlarged by the Administration and Lipu is trying to obtain the protection for further areas rich in animals, yet wich are not areas for hunting. In Isola Serafini one can all entirely ride by bike; there the Po makes a very narrow curve; this obliged the river to make a jump of a few metres to make the electric power station work. Guided visits during the “Centrali Aperte Day”. Isola Serafini, first of all, has a natural feature due to the widespread presence of several wet “biotopoi” wich, though they have an agricoltural oringin, they do have a praisable features. They are also places for shetter and a resting place for several animals. The presence of resting places and other areas for a rest in general, together with poplars and willows, are a further reason of the environment beauty. Along the “piacentino” side, in front of Isola Mezzadra, there’s a large area with many trees and here a plan for natural riqualification for the typical, local vegetation: poplars, willows, oaks, elms, cherry trees. Isola del Deserto, moreover, has a high naturalistic value because of the presence of trees that haven’t been altered by man and of recent actions for the recreation of wooden species, more suitable for this area. Here we can advise the rare resting of “albanella minore” and the presence of tree frogs and “dalmatina” frogs. The main side, that belongs to the State, is the first connecting element of the region and you can visit it in quite and short time. PARCO FLUVIALE DELLO STIRONE A stream set between walls rich in fossils Stirone River Regional Park includes a 14 km stretch of the stream Stirone, in the territory of four Municipalities: Fidenza and Salsomaggiore Terme, in the province of Parma, Vernasca and Alseno, in the province of Piacenza. The protected area, established in 1988 thanks to several associations and the local authorities, has a great paleontological value also depending on the erosive action of the stream which, after the intense gravel excavations of the 50s and 60s, has brought to the light fossil strata of great scientific importance. The Park is also important for its flora, vegetation, and fauna, that have been thoroughly studied in recent years: Parco dello Sirone safeguards habitats and animal and vegetal species of Community interest and is part of the SCI (Site of Community Importance) "Torrente Stirone", within Natura 2000 Network. MORIA MOUNT The Park of Moria Mount is 10.000.000 m2 large over villages of Morfasso and Lugagnano. It has an interesting and very different kind of trees and shrubs. They take the most surface of the park up and are in the most part hundred-year-old chestnut trees. In clearing zones brooms and junipers draw different shades of colours on the soil. A wood of beechs goes into oasis of shrubs such as hazels or evergreens such as pines and small firs. Finally you will find mushrooms and herbs that, depending on the altitude, are ferns, strawberries, lilies and beautiful orchids. In this natural oasis they live wild boars, badgers, fallow deers, foxes, squirrels, woodpechers and sparrowhawks. On foot, by bike, by horse..
By bike At a short distance from the big towns of Milan, Brescia, Bergamo, Cremona, Lodi and Piacenza, in a small piece of land among the rivers Adda, Serio and Oglio, the walled towns of Crema, Pizzighettone and Soncino can tell the epos of their history with a very easy access. The creation of a bike track to connect them through the beauty of the Cremona’s country is like an invitation to catch once more the walled towns as places of memories, of rich experiences, as a translation in the stone of a culture that is not only figurative, yet that reflects the material conditions and the practice of daily life. Moreover, the bike is the ideal mean to enjoy this little Italy so rich in treasures in its environment and in its art, and at the same time, to get to know our people, our local traditions, to appreciate the goods and the cuisine of this land. The Lower “Padana” is the land of touring by bike. Spring and autumn are the ideal season to ride; spring especially, for the landscape, the renewed strength of waters after wintertime, the suitable weather conditions. Also winter, if you can stand cold, is a season full of surprises: in fact you can appreciate some particular atmospheres of the plain like the rest of the fields, the horizon of some neat days, the very thick foggies, the smell of the manure spread onto the fields, the drawings of the fog on the naked trees, the warm hospitality of an inn with a fireplace. Reaching the plain today is also confortable and relaxing thanks to the choice Train+Bike of the railway regional service. Almost all local trains allow people to transport their bike at low prices and through the railway you can reach the Low “Padana” from all major towns in Lombardia. This avoids the stress of the traffic and allows people to move from one station to the other without going back to the departing point, as it would happen by car. The main left side of river Po represents an itinerary of an excellent importance in the area of Lombardia, which develops from the union of river Sesia until Stellata, the west border with the area of Ferrarese, for about 300 kilometres. This side doesn’t always follow so close the running of the river, it usually gets far or shares itself into two parallel partes. Besides, at the mouth of the left affluents of river Po, the itinerary turns towards the inner part of the plain for several kilometres along the sides of these rivers, until they reach a bridge. Even the presence of abandoned riverbeds may influence the developping of the path. All this makes the path rich in lovely landscapes and varied as to the natural settings. Just think of the different agricultural landscapes and of the several kinds of natural habitats. Of course, a journey along the sides includes also a contact with a particular human landscape, with the “culture of the river” , made up of handy artscrafts (of the can, of wood, of the riverbed), of fishing, of sailing, of ways of living, of hobbies, of devotion, of popular wisdom.
Sailing But the sailing on rivers is also an extraordinary opportunity for the tourist. It will be quite surprising to look at places with an almost untouched nature, surrounded by un unusual silence, in a region which is among the most crowded on earth. For its own features, moreover, sailing allows to connect oneself to the landscape at a slower, more relaxing rythm and it helps recovering with all energies, just like after a real holiday. River Po attracts the highest number of tourists. Its whole stream, from Pavia until Adriatico sea for about 400 kilometres, can be sailed without any obstacles. While sailing on the river it’s possibile to look at the large riverside, most of which is made up of woods of willows or poplars, but in some cases also by cultivated fields, together with old and new farms. Cremona has a real harbour of its own, but also another docking and many well-equipped structures for maintenance or refuelling are present in the area, in Casalmaggiore. For those who feel like they want to make their way along these waterstreams, the opportunities are many. In the period April-October, several travel agencies and tour operators offer both packets for trips of a few hours and journeys lasting a few days. A nice, widespread solution would be that of combining the bike to the boat or the canoe (both if you owe it or if you hire it): by the first it’s possibile to enlarge the exploration of the riverside to the inner areas or reach the places rich in arts and culture, and which are not so close to the river; canoing instead allows you to make your own way through the narrowest corners of the river or where the riverbed is too low for bigger boats. For those who would like a more personilized itinerary ther’s also the chance to hire the boats, choosing what is best for everybody’s needs among a range of boats, all different for technical features and capacity; they can all be driven without a ship licence. Finally, in several places, especially near the bights, thick sands create large beaches that become ideal for a rest to bathe, sunbathe or have a picnic. Motorbike Motorbike over Appennino mountains: scenic and naturalistic routes; more or less difficult and curved, they are appreciated by everyone and at every age. You can have relaxing tours far away traffic and confusion along twisting and narrow routes, rich in historical, gastronomic and naturalistic elements. Motocross Motocross: there are a loto f tracks to practise and enjoy yourself by your two wheels: in Cremona it's a mixed soil-sand track of about 1900 meters, often attended by Ktm motorbikers. Info: daniele.ravasi@libero.it. In Crotta d’Adda, near Cremona, sand track of 1700 meters. Info: Sunday 16th March 2008 Has opened again THE CASTLE OF GROPPARELLO AND PARK OF FABLES They open on Sundays and holidays till 16th November 2008. Events at Castle in 2008 On booking Banquet: THE KING COMES BACK HUNTING O MEDIEVAL LUNCH? On booking: NOBLES’ BANQUET - 10% off to who will show Hotel Novecento card Castle website: http://www.castellodigropparello.it/ And remember...children who sleep at Hotel Novecento come into the Castle free.. May to December RICORDANZE DI SAPORI ( REMEMBERING TASTES) The Castles of Dukedom of Parma and Piacenza Association invite you to banquet at castle with dukes and princesses... Info and details at official website http://www.castellidelducato.it/ricordan/intro.htm MERCHANTS OF ANTIQUES Fontanellato (Parma), every third Sundays in the month Il “Mercatino dell’Antiquariato” in Fontanellato bends along porticos and around the fortress. Different and curious kinds of goods, between junk and vintage: ancient furnitures, paintings, ceramics, jewelleries, carpets, hystorical watches, old prints and so on.. 9 am to 7 pm “SANVITALES” ‘ PANTRY Fontanellato (Parma), every second Sundays “La Dispensa dei Sanvitale”, refers to the Count Alfonso who, in 17th century, put at merchants’ disposal the square in front of the castle. At presenta round the fortress and along the streets you will find stalls with delicious food: do you know the sauce whit basil, garlic, cheese and oil from Liguria? Or have you ever taste by spoon the soft cheese named “gorgonzola”? And more mushrooms, truffles, honey, jam and specialities from Pontremoli, Lunigiana, Magra Valley? And near food, wines..from Piacenza valleys, Pavia and Mantova. Well, “Sanvitales patry” is an important event for everyone loves the good and typical food. ART AND AMAZEMENT IN FORTRESS San Secondo Parmense, every fourth Saturdays The Count in San Secondo, Pier Maria, his Wife Camilla Gonzaga, his Mother Bianca Riario, his “Great Huncle" Giovanni delle Bande Nere and “the Scourge for princes” Pietro Aretino live again and let tourists live amazing moments from 1500 history that happened inside the beatiful painted rooms of the Fortress. Booking is requested at phone number FORTRESS AND NATURE Fontanellato, every fourth Sundays Biological and wellness food, works from talents and the best craftsmanship are around Sanvitale Fortress all over the day. TASTE OF CULTURE – GUIDED VISIT WITH TASTING Fontanellato, every second Saturdays Every second Saturdays from March to November (except in May and August) there are guided visits at Sanvitale Fortress by night. There are also show and tasting of typical food from Parma for an unforgettable night at the castle with music and dance. It starts at 8.30 pm. Paid admission. FESTIVAL VERDI Regio Theatre in Parma, Regio Theatre in Parma, Verdi Theatre in Busseto, Municipale Valli Theatre in Reggio Emilia, Regio Theatre in Parma,
Niccolò Paganini Auditorium, And in spring some more notes sound in the air..they are melodies of festival dedicated to one of the most famous Opera writer from Cremona: Claudio Monteverdi. Organized by Ponchielli Theatre in Cremona. Info: www.teatroponchielli.it
PORCOLONGA There is a land between Po river and Parma very important for its gastonomic tours. So it was born the Porcolonga, a cycling walk guided by professional cycling-guides and organized every Autumns. You can choose between 9 routes (from 31 km to 50 km long) that, some of them, run along the embankment of Po river. During every ride you will stop visiting an important monument: Royal Palace in Colorno, the Sanvitale Fortress in Fontanellato, Verdi Theatre and so on… Then there will be at least two tasty stops at farms or restaurants taking part in the “Strada del Culatello di Zibello”. Here you can get back your energies tasting courses, salted pork meats such as Culatello, Strolghino, Spalla, cheeses such as Parmigiano Reggiano, desserts and wines. Booking is requested. You can register at UISP of Parma, phone number: Corteo Storico Grazzano Visconti (Piacenza), last Sunday in May All over the village there are parties, colours, cheerfulness. In every square there is a moving and involving in show: competitions with weapons, jugglers, musicians, clowns, magic, archers, medioeval game and finally the great challenge on horses “La giostra del Biscione”. Notti Di Fiaba Grazzano Visconti, the last weekend in June At least for two nights forget every problems and come in the Nights of Fables where reality and imagination give birth to dragons, knights, wizards and witches, clowns, princes and queens. Join to them and enjoy! A Magic Day Grazzano Visconti, the second Sunday in September generally Medioeval games for kids and guys Adventures in costumes Baptism of horse Games with beams Shooting with bow Magic and fable La notte di Aloisa Grazzano Visconti, the first Saturday in October A fantastic Autumn night between plentiful banquets, games, hard challenges and damned people. Come in mask. La Gara di tiro con l'arco Grazzano Visconti, the second Sunday in October
The Great Carnival in Busseto January – February A whole month of festival awaits you just few miles from Castelvetro: “il Carnevale della Risata” – Carnival of laughing. Busseto may be a small town, but its carnival has been a traditional venue for 127 years and it ranks along with the main Italian carnivals, such as, for instance, Venice, Cento, Viareggio. Every Sunday it offers new show to its visitors, such as Gormiti parade for kids, music, competitions and the welcoming staff is always happy to help. The centre of the town and the main street are the setting of the carnival. Many people do take active part in the parade, and the figures speak for themselves: over 15.000 participants every Sunday. Info: www.carnevaledibusseto.com
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