Castell'Arquato
Welcome to Castell'Arquato beautiful medieval and art cities. Strategically located on the hills of Val D'Arda, medieval village and 'perched on the hill, and dominates the passage. It is about thirty kilometers from the capital of Piacenza and little more from Parma. The old town is built on the left bank of the river Arda.The village is built according to the structure of the medieval villages and has undergone notable changes. A village in which culture, history, natural richness and gastronomy come together in a perfect harmony. Numerous events taking place in the country and in neighboring areas are a must-see attraction.
Castell'Arquato offers many attractions for tourists wishing to visit the beautiful village. Art lovers, lovers of archeology, history lovers will not be disappointed certainly. No coincidence Castell'Arquato was chosen as the stage for an important film as "Lady Hawke", some television programs of national importance were shot in the village. There are many monuments which are enclosed deli masterpieces of art. The history and culture Arquatesi express themselves in museums which can be found along the streets of the village. Other highlights include the beautiful surroundings. In Castell'Arquato you can also find moments of genuine fun and relaxation in the numerous bars in the country enjoying the delicious dishes of typical and sipping wines in the cellars.
Food and Wine
The Val d'Arda is definitely one of the most prestigious valleys in the landscape Piacenza regard culinary traditions.
And 'in fact important area for wine production: the classic Gutturnio and Ortrugo alongside the Monterosso Val d'Arda, true character of the area of Castell and the Vin Santo di Vigoleno, the only sweet wines from Piacenza hills.
The wines are great to accompany the equally excellent traditional dishes of Piacenza, starting with salami DOP: the cup, authentic specialties of Piacenza, requires a long and wise seasoning, without added salt and spices; salami coarse cut when ripe and then the bacon soft and tasty.
The presence of rich pastures and flocks from the Roman period they explain how the local cheese was very good and known for centuries.
Excellence in the field of dairy products are definitely the Grana Padano and Provolone, certified by the DOP, ricotta, Robiola and mountain cheeses.
Meats and cheeses can be tasted with typical chisolini burtleina or together with the delicious, delicious bread substitutes.
Among the first courses I am not to be missed pisarei and beans (flour dumplings with the sauce with beans) and tortelli with the tail (ravioli stuffed with ricotta and spinach are the typical shape of candy from the dough very thin).
Among the latter is just a classic Picula to the horse, horse meat mince stew excellent together with polenta.
Among the desserts there will be spoiled for choice between a myriad of pies and cakes dry !!!
The Val d'arda is definitely to be savored !!!
Wine tastings
The culture of the vine and wine production have always played for Castell'Arquato and its surroundings is of great importance since ancient times.Already in the scrolls kept in the Historical Archive of the Collegiate relate land Vineate possidimenti of the Church, because of the favorable climate and its soil, producing excellent grapes that produced wines. The best way to taste the wines of Castell is to make a visit to the local cellars.
Piacenza
and its province represent an authentic region have vibrant space where the values ​​of a quiet life and entertainment, enlivened by a simple and savory cuisine and wines of secure and ancient fame. The plain and the largest urban centers have preserved their industrious landscape, while the hills and mountains have not lost the aspects that make the natural and environmental Piacenza one of the most popular and frequented the Apennines.
Surrounding towns and castles
The Roman ruins of Velleiathe, Chiaravalle della Colomboa, Vigoleno, Castle Gropparello or Castle of San Pietro in Cerro are worth a visit.
Suggested itinerary to explore the area of Val d'Arda
The Val d'Arda is located in the eastern part of the territory of Piacenza and Parma extends from the border of the plain padana. This territory includes eight minor valleys which offer natural beauty and many interesting historial sites.
On the eastern side of the territory of Vernasca extends the regional park Stirone, with clay layers and fossils. In the park of considerable interest is the medieval village of Vigoleno, stronghold since the thirteenth century the family Scotti, of particular interest is the church of San Giorgio (XII sec.), containing frescoes and reliefs of exquisite workmanship.
On the first hills of the Val Chiavenna there is the town of Vigolo Marchese,known for its Romanesque church and the beautiful baptistery, surrounded by the Geological Reserve of Piacenziano.
In Chero it is instead an important archaeological site, Veleia Romana, Roman municipium since the first century. BC within the forum, baths basilica and amphitheater.
In Val Vezzeno emerges a group of rocky medieval castles of Gropparello,surrounded by the park "emotional" of fairytales.
A Chiaravalle della Colomba, a few km from Fiorenzuola d'arda, is instead the Benedictine Cistercian Abbey, founded in 1135 by St. Bernard, with an impressive basilica and a cloister of the fourteenth century.
Further along the road leading to Po is the renaissance center of Cortemaggiore,ancient capital of the state pallavicino with its beautiful churches: the Collegiate Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie and the ss. Annunziata of all.
Shortly after Cortemaggiore, meets the village of San Pietro in Cerro, which houses a castle dated 1491.
The "way of the cherry" gateway to Villanova on from where you reach the village of St. Agatha where Villa Verdi, home of the Master at the end of his career.