The Castles of Parma

The area of the castles of Parma is very beautiful and lends itself well to spending pleasant gastronomic and cultural weekends. Browsing the portal that deals specifically with giving all the information on how to visit the castles, dining and itineraries, we chose what interested us most and then immediately set about finding accommodation suited to our needs as a family with a small child in tow. We booked a truly fabulous bed and breakfast that I really recommend to everyone in San Secondo Parmense; the bed was practically new and, for the 3 of us (the little one didn't pay), last year we spent 50 euros including breakfast (the hostess's cakes are fantastic, as is her kindness and helpfulness); moreover we had a fully equipped kitchen available which proved really useful for preparing baby food and bottles.

The first castle we visited was that of San Secondo; at the ticket office we got the castle card that would also allow us discounts and benefits for the visits on the following days.. The Room of the Golden Ass with the depiction of Apuleius's novel is without a doubt the most evocative room of the fortress; moreover, for lovers and enthusiasts of the genre, re-enactments and tastings of typical local products are held there.

Once the visit to the castle was over we headed to Diolo di Soragna where we had booked a table in a recommended restaurant where we were able to savour the excellent local cuisine, to which I refer you via the link if you're in the area and love good food, drop in, you won't regret it!!!!! In the afternoon we visited the Rocca Meli Lupi di Soragna 2 alas, in those days a TV series was being filmed and there was a bit of confusion, but the visit was equally very interesting and truly intriguing is the legend of the ghost of Donna Cenerina who still wanders around the castle. The following day we visited the fortress of Fontanellato, which is the castle we liked most; truly beautiful is the little Room of Diana and Actaeon with the frescoes by Parmigianino.

aletta.htm,I liked them so much that I bought some bookmarks with details of the frescoes because I liked the idea of looking at them again before reading. In the afternoon a visit to the Parmesan cheese house which was actually disappointing, then off, before returning home, to the palace of Colorno, residence of Queen Maria Luigia of Austria ia=763&IDSezione=3879, imposing in structure but a bit bare in furnishings in our opinion, it undoubtedly deserves a visit, especially in the good season to enjoy the beauty of the gardens.