{"id":356573,"date":"2025-07-18T16:34:35","date_gmt":"2025-07-18T14:34:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.e-borghi.com\/landscapes\/i-parchi-del-ducato-la-natura-protetta-tra-parma-e-piacenza\/"},"modified":"2025-07-21T12:25:14","modified_gmt":"2025-07-21T10:25:14","slug":"the-duchy-parks-protected-nature-between-parma-and-piacenza","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.e-borghi.com\/en\/landscapes\/the-duchy-parks-protected-nature-between-parma-and-piacenza\/","title":{"rendered":"The Duchy Parks: protected nature between Parma and Piacenza"},"content":{"rendered":"

Gruccioni – Ph. Antonio Arnanno<\/span><\/p>\n

In the heart of western Emilia, between the provinces of Parma<\/strong> and Piacenza<\/strong>, lies one of the most fascinating and diverse systems of Protected Natural Areas in Italy: that of the Parks of the Duchy<\/strong><\/a>. This territorial system, made up offive Regional Parks, four Nature Reserves<\/strong>, a Protected Landscape<\/strong> and an Ecological Rebalance Area<\/strong>creates a mosaic of unique environments ranging from lowland river areas to Apennine valleys, from the hilly forests that were the residence and hunting grounds of the most important noble dynasties to fossil-rich geological landscapes and protected wetlands where rare species nest.<\/p>\n

It is an area where nature dialogues with history, where medieval castles<\/strong>, historic villages<\/strong>, historic paths such as the Via Francigena<\/strong> and typical local products<\/strong> intertwine with nature trails, bicycle paths and educational itineraries<\/strong>, offering endless opportunities for those seeking a slow<\/em><\/strong>, conscious and sustainable tourism<\/em> experience.<\/p>\n

The Parks of the Duchy are not just places to visit, but real landscapes to experience, where respect for the environment translates into quality of life, discovery and well-being. An invitation to slow down, observe, enjoy and rediscover contact with the earth, its rhythms and wonders.<\/p>\n

Taro River Regional Park: a blue and green corridor between nature, history and flavors<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The Taro Regional Fluvial Park<\/strong><\/a> protects a stretch of the river of the same name between Fornovo di Taro <\/strong>and Pontetaro<\/strong>, in the upper plain of Parma. Covering about 2,000 hectares (over 3,000 including the Contiguous Area), it represents one of the most interesting river environments in western Emilia in terms of biodiversity and landscape value. Easily accessible from Parma, it is the ideal destination for those who love a slow<\/em> tourism, made of light hiking, cycling, birdwatching <\/strong>and authentic encounters with the territory.<\/p>\n

Among the places not to be missed is the Corte di Giarola, the Park’s administrative headquarters and Visitor Center<\/strong>, a starting point for well-marked trails<\/strong> and country roads to be traveled on foot or by bicycle, with no unevenness and immersed in the quietness of the countryside and perifluvial environments.<\/p>\n

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\nTaro Park – Ph. Daniele Aliani<\/span><\/p>\n

The Taro Park is crossed by the Via Francigena<\/strong>, the ancient route of medieval pilgrims, which with its 3,000 km from Canterbury to Rome, crosses 5 states, 16 regions and over 600 municipalities.<\/p>\n

The territory of the Park, in the heart of the food valley, is deeply linked to local agri-food productions of excellence with PDO or PGI marks: from Parmigiano-Reggiano <\/strong>to Prosciutto di Parma, to the Wines of the Parma Hills<\/strong>,<\/p>\n

It is no coincidence that precisely in the Corte di Giarola, headquarters of the Park, within splendid spaces owned by the Park Authority, two of the Food Museums of the Province of Parma<\/strong> can be visited, dedicated to as many food excellences of the Parma area, that of Tomato<\/a><\/strong> and that of Pasta<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n

In this green corner of Emilia, every excursion becomes a journey through landscape, peasant culture and authentic flavors, where time passes more slowly and every detail tells a fragment of the territory’s identity.<\/p>\n

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\nWolf cubs by the river – Ph. Emanuele Fior<\/span><\/p>\n

Parco Boschi di Carrega: green elegance between history and nature<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The Parco Regionale Boschi di Carrega<\/a><\/strong>, established in 1982 as the first regional park in Emilia-Romagna<\/strong>, is a place where nature, art and history come together in a refined and evocative hilly landscape. It covers about 1270 hectares between the Taro River and the Baganza River<\/strong>, in the municipalities of Collecchio,<\/strong> Sala Baganza and Fornovo Taro<\/strong>, and reaches 2600 hectares including the Contiguous Areas (Preparco).<\/p>\n

This green oasis is distinguished by its noble atmosphere<\/strong>, evidenced by the presence of historic villas<\/strong>, monumental gardens<\/strong>, little lakes<\/strong> and centuries-old groves<\/strong>. In fact, the area was for centuries the summer residence of the Farnese court, the Bourbons, and Maria Luigia of Habsburg-Lorraine, Napoleon’s second wife and Duchess of Parma, Piacenza, and Guastalla, who had the splendid Villa del Ferlaro<\/strong> and the Casino dei Boschi<\/strong> complex built here, part of which is currently in public ownership and home to the Centro Parco Casinetto<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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\nSentiero in Boschi di Carrega Park – Ph. Federico Lugli<\/span><\/p>\n

The landscape is a harmonious succession of oak, chestnut and ancient beech forests<\/strong>, crisscrossed by accessible paths, small streams and flowering glades. There is no shortage of monumental trees and specimens of exotic trees<\/strong> wanted by the various noble families that have succeeded one another on the property, ideal for a day of relaxation in perfect slow style. The capriolo<\/strong>, symbol of the park, along with squirrels, hares and water tortoises, populate these biodiversity-rich environments.<\/p>\n

The park promotes educational and educational activities, guided tours and cultural events<\/strong> throughout the year, making it a lively and engaging destination for all ages and seasons. In the immediate vicinity, in the historic center of Sala Baganza, is the Rocca Sanvitale<\/strong><\/a>, part of the Castelli del Ducato circuit, in whose cellars a mouthwatering visit to the Museo del Vino<\/strong><\/a> is recommended.<\/p>\n

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\nThe Casinetto at Boschi di Carrega Park – Ph. Carlo Malini<\/span><\/p>\n

Parco dei Cento Laghi: the most authentic Apennines<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The Parco dei Cento Laghi, whose official name is Regional Park of the Cedra and Parma Valleys<\/strong><\/a>, covers over 27,000 hectares<\/strong> between 400 and 1650 meters<\/strong> above sea level, in the heart of the eastern Parma Apennines in the municipalities of Monchio delle Corti, Corniglio, Neviano degli Arduini and Tizzano Val Parma. This vast area, established in 1995 and expanded in subsequent years, offers a perfect balance of high hill and mid-mountain environment, living rural landscapes and age-old traditions.<\/p>\n

The park is a mosaic of diverse environments: woods, pastures, ridges, glacial lakes<\/strong>, ancient villages, parish churches and castles that tell the story of a land inhabited and cultivated with respect. It is a welcoming “middle<\/strong> land,” a short distance from the Po Plain, where slow tourism goes hand in hand with sustainable agriculture and the enhancement of local excellence.<\/p>\n

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\nThe Green Lake – Ph. Marco Rossi<\/span><\/p>\n

Symbolic of this symbiosis of nature and culture are two world-famous PDO<\/strong> products: the Parmigiano-Reggiano<\/strong> and the Prosciutto di Parma<\/strong>, of which the Park is also an area of origin, thanks to climatic conditions, raw materials and know-how that help make them unique. Alongside them are delicacies such as Spongata di Corniglio<\/strong>, Pecora Cornigliese (Slow Food Presidium)<\/strong>, Chestnuts<\/strong>, mushrooms<\/strong> and game, all fruits of a generous and authentic land.<\/p>\n

The Hundred Lakes Park is also a place for outdoor experiences<\/strong>: scenic trails, mountain bike<\/strong> routes, snowshoeing<\/strong>, skiing<\/strong>, horseback riding<\/strong>, sport fishing<\/strong> and areas for pic-nic and children’s play<\/strong>. The numerous village festivals<\/strong> and traditional festivals<\/strong> keep the sense of community alive and offer moments of meeting and conviviality, typical of the Apennine valleys.<\/p>\n

It is a park that welcomes everyone: hikers, families, food and nature lovers<\/strong>, in an accessible setting rich in biodiversity, where every corner tells a deep connection between landscape, history and daily life. A place where the “good to see<\/strong>” also becomes the “good to eat<\/strong>.”<\/p>\n

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\nThe Spongata of Corniglio – Ph. Meridiana Images<\/span><\/p>\n

Parco dello Stirone e del Piacenziano: a journey through time<\/strong><\/h3>\n

.
\nThe Parco dello Stirone e del Piacenziano<\/a><\/strong> is a unique protected area, an open-air museum where geology, nature and culture<\/strong> intertwine in a landscape rich in charm and biodiversity. Established in 2011, it was created through the merger of the Stirone River Park and the Piacenziano Geological Reserve, and stretches across the hills straddling the provinces of Parma and Piacenza<\/strong>, embracing territories that tell millions of years of Earth’s history.<\/p>\n

The Stirrone Area<\/strong> develops on either side of the stream of the same name and takes on three basic morphological aspects: the river landscape with the wooded belts<\/strong>, corresponding to the central area occupied by the stream, the agrarian landscape<\/strong>, located laterally to the watercourse, and the early Apennine hillscape<\/strong>, with the highest elevations represented by Mount Combu (350 m) and Mount Santo Stefano (457 m).<\/p>\n

The creek is known to scholars of paleontology<\/strong> and the subject of scientific studies of international significance for the presence of marine sediments rich in fossiliferous relics<\/strong>referable to the Upper Miocene, Pliocene and Pleistocene. The fossiliferous series, the inclination of the strata, and their orderly succession make it possible to trace, from upstream to downstream, the environmental and climatic evolution of the Po River Basin over the past 6.5 million years and make the Park an open-air museum.<\/p>\n

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\nParco dello Stirone – Ph. Marco Rossi<\/span><\/p>\n

The Piacenzian Area <\/strong>consists of 9 zones<\/strong> distributed in 5<\/strong> valleys<\/strong> of the eastern Piacenza territory: Val Vezzeno, Val Chero, Val Chiavenna, Valle dell’Arda, Valle Ongina<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Most of the protected areas are located at spectacular gullies <\/strong>whose instability and ruggedness have favored the preservation of peculiar habitats, where geo-paleontological emergencies blend with valuable naturalistic and landscape aspects. The abundance and excellent state of preservation of the fossils<\/strong> found here, dating back to the period of Earth’s history known precisely by the name of Piacentian<\/strong>, has made this part of Piacenza’s territory famous to the international scientific world since the second half of the 19th century.<\/p>\n

The Park is crossed by the medieval Via Francigena<\/strong> and the area is dotted with ancient villages, parish churches, churches, magnificent Castles.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Park is part of the Protected Natural Areas managed by the Management Authority for Parks and Biodiversity of Western Emilia (Parchi del Ducato).<\/p>\n

The beating heart of the Park is the Park Center Podere Millepioppi <\/strong>(Loc. San Nicomede -Salsomaggiore Terme, PR), a place that after the confiscation of the property from organized crime and the assignment to the Municipality of Salsomaggiore Terme which, thanks to an agreement, entrusted it to the Parks Authority is now a reference point for the administration of the Authority and for many cultural, educational and tourist initiatives and activities.<\/p>\n

In its current arrangement, the Park Center houses the Operational Offices of Ente Parchi, the Library, the info point-ticket office <\/strong>and the “biodiversity” section of the MuMAB, the Ancient Sea and Biodiversity Museum<\/a><\/strong>, which extends into a new and modern building, operational since 2020 and offering an interesting and interactive exhibition itinerary dedicated to the ancient geological history of the Po River Basin.<\/p>\n

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\nMuMAB – Ph. Costantino Ferlauto<\/span><\/p>\n

Trebbia River Park: wilderness and spectacular sights<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The Trebbia Regional Fluvial Park<\/a><\/strong> stretches for about 30 kilometers along the course of the Trebbia River<\/strong>, from Rivergaro <\/strong>to the confluence with the Po<\/strong>, north of Piacenza, including a stretch of the great Po River. This area represents an example of a lowland fluvial environment, dominated by large areas of gravel bed, dry grasslands, and river terraces where protected nature tries to maintain its space between numerous mining activities and agricultural crops.<\/p>\n

The landscape, shaped by the torrential regime of the Trebbia, is characterized by habitats of great value for migratory fauna<\/strong>, as evidenced by the presence of the Occhione<\/strong>, a rare species and symbol of the park. The spontaneous orchids<\/strong> that bloom in spring, together with vegetation selected by raging floods, create a rich and dynamic ecological mosaic.<\/p>\n

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\nOcchione\/Cineclub Piacenza – Ph. Vincenzo Rigolli<\/span><\/p>\n

The Park includes two Sites of Community Importance and Special Protection Areas (SCI-ZPS) <\/strong>of the Natura 2000 network and a regional geo-site <\/strong>(Croara), reflecting the naturalistic and geological importance of the area. The medieval castles<\/strong>, such as the famous Castle of Rivalta<\/strong><\/a> and that of Statto<\/strong>, suggestively overlook the river, combining landscape, history and culture <\/strong>in an extraordinary glance.<\/p>\n

For those who enjoy slow and sustainable tourism<\/em>, the park offers trails and bicycle and pedestrian paths that connect it with the city of Piacenza<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

The area is also deeply linked to Piacenza’s agri-food tradition<\/strong>, where PDO and PGI products<\/strong>(such as local cured meats, cheeses, and wines) represent the most authentic expression of the relationship between environment and agri-food. Here the landscape is not only to admire, but also to enjoy: every corner offers an opportunity to experience nature slowly<\/strong>, among wild beauty<\/strong>and unique flavors<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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\nParco del Trebbia\/Cineclub Piacenza – Ph. Enzo Marzocca<\/span><\/p>\n

An area to live in, preserved with care<\/strong><\/h3>\n

.
\nThe Ducato Parks area represents an extraordinary natural and cultural heritage of western Emilia, where biodiversity, landscape, traditions and flavors coexist in perfect balance.
\nMaking all this possible is the work of the Management Body for Parks and Biodiversity – Western Emilia<\/strong><\/a>, which protects and enhances these territories with conservation projects, environmental education, promotion of sustainable tourism and many events and activities. Thanks to this careful and far-sighted management, the Parks of the Duchy are now a virtuous example of how to experience and discover nature with respect, slowness and wonder.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Discover six regional parks and four nature reserves perfect for slow tourism, among nature, historic villages and typical flavors.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":356547,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"single-post-blog-pro.php","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_members_access_role":[],"_members_access_error":""},"categories":[1589],"tags":[],"village-conntection":[50534,50632,55200],"class_list":["post-356573","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-landscapes","village-conntection-castell-arquato","village-conntection-corniglio-it","village-conntection-vigoleno-it"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.e-borghi.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/356573","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.e-borghi.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.e-borghi.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.e-borghi.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.e-borghi.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=356573"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.e-borghi.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/356573\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.e-borghi.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/356547"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.e-borghi.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=356573"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.e-borghi.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=356573"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.e-borghi.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=356573"},{"taxonomy":"village-conntection","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.e-borghi.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/village-conntection?post=356573"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}