From Piacenza to Parma, through rolling hills and crenellated towers

DAY 1 – PIACENZA

Our journey begins in the heart of Piacenza, in western Emilia, between the territories of Piacenza and Parma. After leaving your car at the charging point in Via XXI Aprile, just on the edge of the historic centre, you can start exploring the city. Piacenza stands at the end of the ancient Via Emilia, the Roman road commissioned by consul Marcus Aemilius Lepidus to connect Rimini to Piacenza.

Two unmissable highlights await in the morning. First, Palazzo Farnese, home to the Civic Museums, which include several sections such as the Art Gallery, the Carriage Museum and the Glass and Ceramics collection. Then the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta and Santa Giustina, declared a national monument in 1940.

The afternoon is perfect for a leisurely stroll through charming streets, artisan shops and remarkable religious buildings. Be sure to visit the Romanesque Basilica of Sant’Antonino, a stop for pilgrims travelling along the Via Francigena, and the Basilica of San Savino, renowned for its precious mosaic floor.

Before leaving, make time to stop by one of the city’s delicatessens to pick up local specialities — including anolini from the Val d’Arda, delicate pasta parcels filled with cheese, breadcrumbs and nutmeg.

DAY 2 – CASTELL’ARQUATO AND FIDENZA

The forty-minute electric drive from Piacenza to the delightful village of Castell’Arquato is one to savour.

Set off with a full charge, crossing the plain and the first gentle hills that lead towards the Apennines, until you reach one of Italy’s most beautiful villages. Castell’Arquato impresses even from afar, its skyline defined by towers and crenellated walls. Park in the lower part of the village and continue on foot towards the historic centre.

Perched on a hilltop, Castell’Arquato is a fascinating art town rich in architecture from different eras. Don’t miss the Romanesque Collegiate Church of Santa Maria Assunta, consecrated in 1122 and often hosting classical music concerts, and the Visconti Fortress, built in 1342 by Luchino Visconti for purely military purposes.

Among the medieval village’s architectural gems are Palazzo del Podestà, once home to the town council and now a venue for exhibitions and conferences, and Palazzo del Duca, which in the first half of the 17th century served as the residence of the Sforza dukes.

Alongside its artistic treasures, Castell’Arquato also offers breathtaking panoramic views over the Val d’Arda, crossed by the stream of the same name.

Leaving Castell’Arquato behind, continue to Fidenza, the afternoon stop on day two. Just twenty minutes by car bring you to one of the main towns of the Parma area after the regional capital itself.

Part of the Terre Verdiane, together with nearby towns such as Busseto, Fontanellato and Salsomaggiore Terme, Fidenza is well worth a visit — especially for the Cathedral of San Donnino, a jewel of Po Valley Romanesque architecture built between the late 11th and early 12th centuries.

DAY 3 – PARMA

The final stop on this western Emilia itinerary is Parma, one of the region’s leading cities, just over half an hour — strictly electric — from Fidenza.

After leaving your car at the charging point in Strada dei Mercati 18, continue on foot towards the city centre.

The beating heart of Italy’s Food Valley, world-famous for its gastronomic excellence, Parma is best enjoyed on foot or by bike. Pause at its delicatessens to taste and purchase the very best local products. Among arcades, piazzas and lively markets, Parma is as delightful to savour as it is to explore — where the pleasure of discovering architectural masterpieces goes hand in hand with exceptional cuisine.

Among the city’s must-see landmarks are the Cathedral and the Baptistery. The Cathedral, dedicated to the Assumption and consecrated in 1106, features a magnificent dome frescoed by Correggio. The Baptistery, completed in 1307 and clad in pink Verona marble, marks the transition from late Romanesque to Gothic architecture.

For the afternoon, visit one of the city’s great cultural landmarks: the monumental Pilotta complex. A symbol of Farnese ducal power, it includes the extraordinary wooden Farnese Theatre by Giovan Battista Aleotti and the National Gallery of Parma, home to masterpieces by Parmigianino, Correggio and Leonardo da Vinci.

And no visit to Parma would be complete without a stop at one of the elegant pastry shops in the historic centre to taste Torta Duchessa, the city’s signature dessert named after the beloved Duchess Marie Louise.

With a sweet note, our three days in Emilia come to an end — a journey from Piacenza to Parma through history, architecture and a universe of unforgettable flavours.

Il fascino del viaggio in automobile negli itinerari raccontati da Plenitude: itinerari a lunga percorrenza originali, emozionanti, da fare rigorosamente in mobilità elettrica.