Discover the Val D’ Arda
It is a beautiful territory to explore that offers many naturalistic, historic and obviously food and wine interests.
Here are just some of the places we suggests you visit during your weekend in the Piacentini hills.
THE VAL D’ARDA
The valley Val D’ Arda is crossed from the south to north by the Arda stream.
On the east we have the province of Parma and it borders with the river Po.
The territory has 8 minor steams.: Val Riglio, Val Vezzano, Val Chero, Val Segola, Val Chiavenna, Val D’Ongina, Val Stirane e Val Borla.
THE MOUNTAINS
The Apennine mountain landscape of the Val D’arda is a nature panorama of fields populated with cows and horses.
The mountains Menegosa and Lama is where the stream Arda is born.
These are ideal for excursions for those who love trekking.
THE PARKS
The naturistic center of the territory is “Parco Provinciale of Monte Moria” where you can see centuries old woods.
After numerous findings of fossils in Val D’arda at Vernasca,Lugagnano, Castello Arquato,Carpaneto e Gropparello in 1995 a Nature Reserve Piacenziano was created. The reserve estends in 345 hectures and it was created to protect outcrops of sedimentary rocks from 1,6 and 5 million years ago.
East of the Val D’Arda we have Vernasca where we find “The Parco del Stirone”, formed of small canyons created by the erosion of the corse of the stream and the forming of layers of clay and fossils typical of the area.
THE CASTLES
Due to the tangible testimony of the strategic importance of the Val D’Arda in the course of the centuries, we still have numerious castles: Castello di Vigoleno, il Castello di Groppallo, La Rocca Viscontea di Castello Arquato, il Castello di San Pietro in Cerro, La Rocca Pallavicino a Monticelli D’Ongina.
Our main attraction is the medieval village of Castello Arquato; a true architectural jewel from the pass, found in a stratigiche positioned up high in the middle of hills, today full of vignettes that produce excellent wine.
IN THE SURROUNDING
In Valchero we have an important Archaeological site called Veleia Romano dated first centuary before christ.
In the plains of the Val D’Arda that crosses the Via Emilia (a road created by the Romans that crosses most of Italy), you can see in a small town called Roveleto Di Cadeo a beautiful santuary dedicated to “The Beata Vergine Del Carmelo” built in 1696.
At Fiorenzuola D’Arda you will find “La collegiata of San Fiorenzo” from 1273.
At Chiaravalle there is a splendid Cristercense Abbey founded by Bernardo Di Clairvaux in 1135 and a basilica with a cloister from the 14th century(the columns were made with red marble all the way from Verona). The Abbey was an important stop for the pelligrins that during the middle age passed along the “Via Francigena”.
In the rounds about of Cortemaggiore we also have “La Collegiata di Santa Maria delle Grazie” and the church of “Santissima Annunziata”.
GASTRONOMY
first courses “ Anolini “ made with cheese, Tagliatelli (long pasta) with a porcini mushroom sauce;
Second courses; ” polenta” made with chestnut flour, accompanied with braised wild boar.
The production of honey is renowned in our valleys.
In the plain zones we are also known for our DOP cheese ; such as “Provolone” and “Grano Padana”. Instead at Carpaneto you will find some of the provinces well known salumi: Coppa, Salame and Pancetta.
In the towns along the river Po the main dishes are “ravioli di zucca(pumpking), small fish marinated in vinegar, fried frogs and marinated eel.
Before leaving our valley, we suggest you try the “amari” produced by the monks of the Abbey at Chiaravalle.
Discover the Val D’ Arda
It is a beautiful territory to explore that offers many naturalistic, historic and obviously food and wine interests.
Here are just some of the places we suggests you visit during your weekend in the Piacentini hills.
THE VAL D'ARDA
The valley Val D’ Arda is crossed from the south to north by the Arda stream.
On the east we have the province of Parma and it borders with the river Po.
The territory has 8 minor steams.: Val Riglio, Val Vezzano, Val Chero, Val Segola, Val Chiavenna, Val D’Ongina, Val Stirane e Val Borla.
THE MOUNTAINS
The Apennine mountain landscape of the Val D’arda is a nature panorama of fields populated with cows and horses.
The mountains Menegosa and Lama is where the stream Arda is born.
These are ideal for excursions for those who love trekking.
THE PARKS
The naturistic center of the territory is “Parco Provinciale of Monte Moria” where you can see centuries old woods.
After numerous findings of fossils in Val D’arda at Vernasca,Lugagnano, Castello Arquato,Carpaneto e Gropparello in 1995 a Nature Reserve Piacenziano was created. The reserve estends in 345 hectures and it was created to protect outcrops of sedimentary rocks from 1,6 and 5 million years ago.
East of the Val D’Arda we have Vernasca where we find “The Parco del Stirone”, formed of small canyons created by the erosion of the corse of the stream and the forming of layers of clay and fossils typical of the area.
THE CASTLES
Due to the tangible testimony of the strategic importance of the Val D’Arda in the course of the centuries, we still have numerious castles: Castello di Vigoleno, il Castello di Groppallo, La Rocca Viscontea di Castello Arquato, il Castello di San Pietro in Cerro, La Rocca Pallavicino a Monticelli D’Ongina.
Our main attraction is the medieval village of Castello Arquato; a true architectural jewel from the pass, found in a stratigiche positioned up high in the middle of hills, today full of vignettes that produce excellent wine.
IN THE SURROUNDING
In Valchero we have an important Archaeological site called Veleia Romano dated first centuary before christ.
In the plains of the Val D’Arda that crosses the Via Emilia (a road created by the Romans that crosses most of Italy), you can see in a small town called Roveleto Di Cadeo a beautiful santuary dedicated to “The Beata Vergine Del Carmelo” built in 1696.
At Fiorenzuola D’Arda you will find “La collegiata of San Fiorenzo” from 1273.
At Chiaravalle there is a splendid Cristercense Abbey founded by Bernardo Di Clairvaux in 1135 and a basilica with a cloister from the 14th century(the columns were made with red marble all the way from Verona). The Abbey was an important stop for the pelligrins that during the middle age passed along the “Via Francigena”.
In the rounds about of Cortemaggiore we also have “La Collegiata di Santa Maria delle Grazie” and the church of “Santissima Annunziata”.
GASTRONOMY
first courses “ Anolini “ made with cheese, Tagliatelli (long pasta) with a porcini mushroom sauce;
Second courses; ” polenta” made with chestnut flour, accompanied with braised wild boar.
The production of honey is renowned in our valleys.
In the plain zones we are also known for our DOP cheese ; such as “Provolone” and “Grano Padana”. Instead at Carpaneto you will find some of the provinces well known salumi: Coppa, Salame and Pancetta.
In the towns along the river Po the main dishes are “ravioli di zucca(pumpking), small fish marinated in vinegar, fried frogs and marinated eel.
Before leaving our valley, we suggest you try the “amari” produced by the monks of the Abbey at Chiaravalle.
