Castle of Torrechiara

Beautiful castle up in the bill overlooked a stinging valley below. It is definitely worth time to go through the castle and spend time looking at all the details.

This is a beautiful place located in the outskirts of Parma. About 20-25 minutes drive from the city center. It is a magnificent castle built in the 14th century. It also has an old high village which is truly beautiful with its old houses. We can also see the wine yards on the slopes.

Amazing castle visit due to the incredible 15th century painted frescoes in almost every room. Also very charming courtyard and even looks good from a distance!

Amazing place, fully restored, great views from the balcony

Amazing castle. Inside it's rather empty, but it's been like that for many years. The problem is that now the balconies are also closed for the visitors (used to be open), greatly reducing the possibility to enjoy the panorama.

very nice castle. preserved murals, excellent view

Nestled on the hills that build the natural landscapes of the valley of the river Parma, the Castle of Torrechiara is undoubtedly one of the most extraordinary and important castles in Emilia-Romagna, if not in all Italy. Between 1448 and 1460, “condottiero” Pier Maria II de’ Rossi, a powerful lord of these lands, ordered the construction of this complex on a preexisting fortified building. The structure had to fulfill a double role, a dichotomy of sense and function. On the one hand, it was a military and defensive stronghold for the control of the underlying valley. On the other hand, however, it was the cradle of his love for Bianca Pellegrini di Arturo, known not long before at the Milanese court of the Sforza. Outside, Torrechiara seems severe and austere, but everything changes as soon as you cross the defensive lines of the castle (there are 3 wall lines with 4 towers). In fact, the castle is a feast of frescoes. Despite the few pieces of furniture scattered here and there, an ensemble of vivid colours and bizarre figures embellish the entire visit route. Above all, the Camera d’Oro (Golden Chamber) is the most beautiful room, ascribed with almost absolute certainty to Benedetto Bembo, one of the most skillful and refined interpreters of Gothic art. Inside, the decorations of the lunettes and of the rib vaults pay homage to the story of Pier Mattia and Bianca Pellegrini. At the same time, Brembo remarks the importance of the House of Rossi, depicting all the castles owned by the family. Moreover, the room features the stems of the two lovers and two hearts with the sentences “Digne et in aeternum” (with dignity and in eternity) and “Nunc et semper” (now and forever), engraving so the eternity of their earthly love Even the frescoes of the other rooms are remarkable, painted by Cesare Baglioni and his collaborators (Giovanni Antonio Paganino and Innocenzo Martini). They represent grotesque mythological figures, angels, cartouches, and imaginary architecture. Among the rooms, worth a mention are il Salone Degli Stemmi (Emblem’s room), la sala di Giove (Jupiter’s room), del Pergolato (Arbour’s room), Degli Angeli (Angels’ room). Then, there are the Sala Dei Paesaggi (Landscape’s room), Della Vittoria (Room of Victory), del Velario (Velarium’s room), the hunting and fishing room and, lastly, the magnificent Salone Degli Acrobati (Acrobats’ room). Last but not least, you definitely should visit the wall walks and look bewildered at all the surrounding territory before abandoning this journey into the Middle Ages and going back to your everyday life. The Castle of Torrechiara has been declared a “National Monument”, becoming so part of the property of Polo Museale Emilia-Romagna. Few years ago, it became part of the circuit of the Castles of the Duchy of Parma, Piacenza and Pontremoli, which aims at promoting the whole network of castles and noble houses in this territory. How to get there: 20 km from Parma. About 20 minutes by car or 30 minutes with bus n. 12, which travels to Langhirano every hour, bus stop “Torrechiara”. The time it takes for the visit: 1-2 hours. Opening times (from October 1st, 2021): Monday to Friday from 9.00am to 5.00pm (last entrance at 4.30pm); Saturday, Sunday and festivities from 9.30am to 5.00pm (last entrance at 4.30pm). Admission: Full price € 5,00; Concessions € 2,00; Free entrance under 18. * Some photos courtesy of Internet. Thanks!

Magic view when arrive...top of the hill. Nice and clean room. Downstairs good restaurant...they have a full but they make a place for us. Cross the street, near by the restaurant..... old man sliced prosciutto and a nice lady sells the local wine for the costumer's. Inside the castle, live a few people and they a nice also.