ART AND CULTURE

SALSOMAGGIORE TERME AND THE BERZIERI SPA  

The Berzieri Spa building is a jewel in Art Nouveau and Deco style, a symbol of Salsomaggiore Terme and of European spa tourism. In 1912 the architect Ugo Giusti started the project, which was completed by Galileo Chini in 1923 after a brief interruption of work. The result is a unique building that blends oriental influences with the Tuscan cultural tradition. The façade and interiors pick up on animal motifs and silhouettes through ornamental and dynamic lines, typical of Art Nouveau, while the interior features several elements in metal, one of the most widely used Art Deco materials. Also not to be missed are the Palazzo dei Congressi and Mazzini Park. 

CASTLES OF THE DUCHY  

The provinces of Parma and Piacenza are full of fascinating castles and fortresses, all worth visiting and admiring. Here are some of the most famous: the castles of Torrechiara, Tabiano, Roccabianca, Felino, Montechiarugolo and Scipione in the Province of Parma; the castles of Agazzano, Bobbio, Rivalta, Paderna and San Pietro in Cerro in the Province of Piacenza. What about the Borgo di Vigoleno, the Fortezza d Bardi, the Rocche di Sala Baganza, San Secondo and Castell’Arquato? Unique beauties of undisputed charm.  

TERRE VERDIANE AND GREEN FESTIVALS  

The municipalities of Busseto, Parma, Soragna, Fontanellato, San Secondo, Zibello, Roccabianca and Salsomaggiore Terme are part of the so-called Terre Verdiane. It is here, in fact, that the artistic and musical life of the famous musician Giuseppe Verdi developed, and it is in his honour that the Festival Verdi, a not-to-be-missed event for opera lovers, is celebrated every year.  

LABYRINTH OF THE MASONE  

The bamboo labyrinth, desired and created by Franco Maria Ricci, is the largest in the world: it has 200,000 bamboo plants belonging to about 20 different species, between 30 centimetres and 15 metres tall. It also houses a museum with a private collection, a library, spaces dedicated to temporary exhibitions and an archive. Finally, there is also a Bistroò, Il Caffè and a Gastronoma parmigiana, run by star chef Massimo Spigaroli.  

MAGNANI ROCCA FOUNDATION  

The Villa dei Capolavori in Mamiano, a hamlet in the municipality of Traversetolo in the province of Parma, aims to promote the dissemination of culture and art to foster the growth of society. It houses the prestigious Luigi Magnani collection, which includes works by Gentile da Fabriano, Filippo Lippi, Carpaccio, Dürer, Titian, Rubens, Monet, Renoir, Cézanne up to De Chirico and sculptures by Canova and Bartolini. 

PARMA  

There are numerous points of interest in the city of Parma, also known as the ‘little Paris’. What not to miss? The Regio Theatre, the Palazzo della Pilotta, the Cathedral, the Baptistery, the National Gallery, the Farnese Theatre, the Church of the Steccata and the Monastery of San Giovanni Evangelista.