In the heart of the Parma hills, just over 40 kilometres from our farmhouse, a charming route unfolds that brings together nature, art, history and cuisine. We are talking about the Art Trail, a relaxing walk that runs along the 15th-century San Michele canal and ideally connects the historical landmarks of the area between Torrechiara and Langhirano. Around seven kilometres to admire, step by step, Renaissance frescoes and contemporary art installations, and to savour outstanding cured meats and fairy-tale rural landscapes. With several pedestrian access points, all equipped with parking areas, the trail can be explored on foot or by bike (e-bike rental is available in Torrechiara).
The route starts at the Renaissance Benedictine Abbey of Santa Maria della Neve in the Torrechiara area. Founded in 1471 by Count Pier Maria Rossi around a pre-existing church dedicated to Our Lady of the Snow, it is a magnificent yet still little-known site of religious and artistic interest. The structure of the complex has remained largely unchanged, despite restorations and additions over the centuries (such as the 17th-century Romanesque-Gothic bell tower and the Belvedere, a charming 18th-century loggia overlooking the Parma stream). The abbey is organised around a four-sided cloister, possibly designed by Giovan Francesco Zaccagni. To the south stands the church, preceded by a long, narrow churchyard. Externally, the church features an unusual gabled façade, while the interior is enriched with Baroque frescoes by unknown artists, identified over time by historians as Giovanni Battista Merano, Giovanni Bolla, Pietro Rubini or Clemente Ruta. Also of great interest are the ancient underground cellars, built using medieval techniques and recently restored by the Sentiero d’Arte association.
Moving towards the heart of the village, at the foot of the hill rises the Castle of Torrechiara, one of the finest examples of fortified architecture in Emilia-Romagna, if not in all of Italy. Built between 1448 and 1460 on the ruins of an earlier fortress by Count Pier Maria Rossi, it was conceived not only as a defensive structure but also as a secluded residence for the count and his lover, Bianca Pellegrini. The residential character of the complex clearly emerges from the refined grotesque fresco decorations by Cesare Baglione, still well preserved, and from the presence of the elegant courtyard of honour. Special attention should be paid to the Golden Chamber, named after the gold leaf that once covered not only the projecting elements of the vault but also the wall panels. The room is decorated with a remarkable cycle of frescoes, attributed to Benedetto Bembo, depicting scenes from the ritual of courtly love. A small curiosity: several scenes of Ladyhawke, the 1985 fantasy film directed by Richard Donner starring Rutger Hauer, Michelle Pfeiffer and Matthew Broderick, were filmed inside the castle.
From the area below the castle, visitors can access the Artists’ Trail. At the second kilometre, you encounter the artworks Sinottica di primavera by Danilo Cassano and Seguendo il volo dei rotori by Mirta Carroli. Continuing on, at the third kilometre, crossing and running alongside the San Michele canal, you will find Il Borgo by Graziano Pompili and Presenze by Giovanni Sala, followed further on by Nido d’aurora by Candida Ferrari, Natura sembiante by Alberto Vettori and Altro bosco by Alberto Timossi.
In the final two kilometres, after passing the works Cèntina by Lorella Salvagni, Voronoi by Oscar Accorsi and another piece by Danilo Cassano, Genesi, walking (or cycling) through fields, vineyards and lush greenery, the trail reaches the outskirts of Langhirano. Here visitors can tour local producers and the Prosciutto Museum. Housed within the fully restored former livestock market complex, the museum allows visitors to explore, through photographs, historical documents, tools, machinery and videos, the thousand-year history and meticulous production process of the king of Italian cured meats: His Majesty Parma Ham. The exhibition path is divided into eight thematic sections. It begins with the territory, describing agriculture in the Parma area, then moves on to sections dedicated to pig breeds and salt, recounting the history of this essential food-preservation element. The fourth section focuses on pork butchery, while the remaining sections explore other typical cured meats of the Parma region, local gastronomy, ham-processing techniques and the role of the Parma Ham Consortium.
Cover photo © AssaporaParma | Photo gallery © Sentiero d’Arte
AGRITURISMO IL BRUGNOLO
Welcome to il Brugnolo
If you’re looking for completely independent apartments surrounded by greenery you really are in the right place here!
In fact, Brugnolo is immersed in the green nature of the Emilian countryside. For your relaxation, for that of your children, and again for the runs of your 4-legged friends, you will have 6000 square meters of park at your disposal!
