Weekend in Castell'Arquato
A day in Castell'Arquato, one of Italy's most beautiful towns, just a step away from Piacenza
Photo by Giovanni
Castell’Arquato, a beautiful slice of Italy, is an amazing place to stop by if you happen to be traveling near Piacenza.
The castle is strategically placed on the hills of the Val d’Arda, and is about 30 km away from both Parma and Piacenza. The city center is placed on the left side of the river which gives its name to the valley itself. The overall structure of houses and buildings follows the rigorous principles of medieval architecture; an example that has survived the test of time, having had no major alterations to architecture of the entire city.
About five thousand people live on this speck of land, its inhabitants a living history of their territory. It’s a truly medieval city that’ll take at least half a day to fully explore in full detail, but nothing’s stopping you from staying here some extra time to fully enjoy this splendid piece of Emilia. There’s certainly enough time to relax and taste all the local delicacies.
About five thousand people live on this speck of land, its inhabitants a living history of their territory. It’s a truly medieval city that’ll take at least half a day to fully explore in full detail, but nothing’s stopping you from staying here some extra time to fully enjoy this splendid piece of Emilia. There’s certainly enough time to relax and taste all the local delicacies.
You can’t miss the city’s main square, built on one of the highest parts of the city, but you’ll want to stroll on to the Rocca Viscontea and the Palazzo del Podestà that are made out of a peculiar material: red baked bricks that, especially during sunrise and sunset, enchant the neighborhood with a lovely display of reflected light. The streets and alleyways become as full of vivid, saturated colours as the sky around Castell’Arquato.
If you want to walk the old city’s cobblestones, you should definitely wear some comfortable shoes and keep your patience up, since, like many medieval towns, it’s all built uphill. The breathtaking views you can see at the top of the city are so worth all the effort, though. It’ll take a little more effort to climb the 100 steps that lead to the castle tower, but when else are you going to have such a chance? The Church of the Collegiata di Santa Maria is also splendid, located near the Municiple square, and there’s also a small park where you can rest for a while after all your walking.
If you want to walk the old city’s cobblestones, you should definitely wear some comfortable shoes and keep your patience up, since, like many medieval towns, it’s all built uphill. The breathtaking views you can see at the top of the city are so worth all the effort, though. It’ll take a little more effort to climb the 100 steps that lead to the castle tower, but when else are you going to have such a chance? The Church of the Collegiata di Santa Maria is also splendid, located near the Municiple square, and there’s also a small park where you can rest for a while after all your walking.
A slice of the middle ages, its history kept alive by almost five thousand citizens
Photo by Alessandro
It’s the attention to detail that is immediately apparent, as the town’s inhabitants are dedicated to keeping their streets and houses in perfect condition. Especially proud of their windows and balconies, they’re usually decorated with vivid plants and flowers that the citizens care for, giving the city a relaxing note of colour.
From the city’s main gate to the Palazzo del Podestà, there are many things to see, and also many wine sellers dotting the streets.
From the city’s main gate to the Palazzo del Podestà, there are many things to see, and also many wine sellers dotting the streets.
Castell’Arquato also has an info point for tourists, where you can pick up a useful city map that’ll help you make your way through the tightly woven alleyways. The map also has useful information on the hours of the main museums and guided tours.
The town is perfectly made for a family outing, as well as for a romantic getaway with your significant other. The local cuisine is exquisite, full of history and taste that has lived the passage of time. Or at least from the 13th century, when the original Rocca Viscontea was built.
The best towns in Italy
The town is perfectly made for a family outing, as well as for a romantic getaway with your significant other. The local cuisine is exquisite, full of history and taste that has lived the passage of time. Or at least from the 13th century, when the original Rocca Viscontea was built.
The best towns in Italy
Castell'Arquato was voted one of the best towns in Italy and in Emilia-Romagna. Of this prestigious group, there are also Bobbio, Brisighella, Compiano, Dozza, Fiumalbo, Fontanellato, Gualtieri, Montefiore Conca, Montegridolfo, San Giovanni in Marignano, San Leo, and Vigoleno.
Italy’s most beautiful medieval squares
Piazza Matteotti in Castell'Arquato is one of Italy’s most beautiful medieval squares. Here are some of the other most beautiful squares in Italy: Piazza della Signoria a Firenze, Piazza Sordello a Mantova, Piazza della Frutta e Piazza delle Erbe a Padova, Piazza del Duomo a Parma, Piazza IV Novembre a Perugia, Piazza del Duomo a Pistoia, Piazza della Cisterna e Piazza del Duomo a San Gimignano, Piazza del Campo a Siena, Piazza Duomo a Trento, Piazza delle Erbe e Piazza dei Signori a Verona, Piazzetta san Pellegrino a Viterbo, Piazza dei Priori a Volterra, Piazza Vecchia e Piazza del Duomo a Bergamo, Piazza Inferiore e Piazza Superiore di San Francesco ad Assisi, Piazza Grande ad Arezzo, Piazza Silvestri a Bevagna, Piazza del Comune a Cremona, Piazza del Comune a Fabriano, Piazza della Signoria a Gubbio, Piazza San Martino a Lucca, Piazza Garibaldi a Massa Marittima, Piazza del Duomo a Pisa, Piazza del Duomo a Spoleto, Piazza del Popolo a Todi e la Piazza di Torcello.
Written by: Aldo Galvagno
Translation by: Daniel Yeatman
