Highlights
Don't miss
Visit the frescoed halls of the noble floor, with heraldic coats of arms, mythological scenes and Pallavicino portraits from the 16th and 17th centuries.
Climb the square watchtower, the medieval core of the castle, from which you enjoy a breathtaking view over the Hills of Parma and the Stirone Valley.
Sample the estate's DOC wines in the ancient vaulted cellars: Sauvignon, Bonarda and other reds typical of the Hills of Parma.
Medieval origins and the Pallavicino family
The Castle of Scipione is one of the oldest castles in the Parma area.
It was built starting in 1025, when Emperor Conrad II the Salian granted Marquis Adalberto Pallavicino, founder of the Emilian branch of the family, the territory of Scipione and broad portions of the Citerna valley.
The position, on a hill at 350 metres altitude, was ideal for controlling the precious salt wells of Salsomaggiore and Tabiano, resources of fundamental importance for the medieval economy.
The frescoed halls and the evolution of the residence
The castle's present appearance is the result of stratifications spanning the 11th to the 18th century.
The medieval core, recognisable in the square watchtower and the perimeter walls, was progressively transformed beginning in the 16th century into a noble residence with reception halls, private apartments and frescoes.
Particularly noteworthy are the frescoed halls of the noble floor, decorated between the 16th and 17th centuries with heraldic coats of arms, mythological scenes and family portraits.
The castle today: residence, events and wine
The Castle of Scipione is still the private residence of the Pallavicino marquises, one of the very few Italian families that still lives in its ancestral castle in an unbroken line for nearly a thousand years.
The owners open the manor to the public through guided tours by reservation, during which they recount the history of the family, court anecdotes and the everyday life of a contemporary noble family.
History and architecture of the Castle of Scipione
The Castle of Scipione is one of the oldest castles in the Parma area. Built from 1025 when Emperor Conrad II the Salian granted the territory to Marquis Adalberto Pallavicino, the founding ancestor of the Emilian branch of the family, it stands on a hill at 350 metres above sea level over the valleys of the Stirone and the Citerna. The fortress is still today the private residence of the marquises Pallavicino, one of the very few Italian families who still live in their original castle in unbroken succession for almost a thousand years. The complex preserves a stratification of styles from the 11th to the 18th century, with frescoed halls of the piano nobile, vaulted cellars where wines DOC of the Colli di Parma are aged, the ancient square watchtower and a courtyard with original well. It can be visited by booking and is part of the Castles of the Duchy of Parma and Piacenza circuit.
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Medieval origins and the Pallavicino
The Castle of Scipione is one of the oldest castles in the Parma area. It was built from 1025, when Emperor Conrad II the Salian granted Marquis Adalberto Pallavicino, founding ancestor of the Emilian branch of the family, the territory of Scipione and large portions of the Citerna valley. The position, on a hill at 350 metres above sea level, was ideal for controlling the precious salt wells of Salsomaggiore and Tabiano, resources of fundamental importance for the medieval economy. For almost a millennium the Pallavicino kept control of the castle and the surrounding territory, passing unscathed through the political vicissitudes of the Duchy of Parma and Piacenza, the Farnese and Bourbon eras, all the way to the unification of Italy. The castle is mentioned in documents of the 12th and 13th centuries as one of the principal strongholds of the Salsomaggiore branch of the Pallavicino, and was protagonist of the struggles between Guelphs and Ghibellines that bloodied medieval Emilia.
The frescoed halls and the evolution of the residence
The current appearance of the castle is the result of stratifications running from the 11th to the 18th century. The medieval nucleus, recognisable in the square watchtower and in the perimeter walls, was progressively transformed from the sixteenth century into a seigneurial residence with reception halls, private apartments and frescoes. Particularly noteworthy are the frescoed halls of the piano nobile, decorated between the 16th and 17th centuries with heraldic emblems, mythological scenes and family portraits. The vaulted kitchens and the ancient cellars preserve their medieval appearance, with great chimneys, ovens and original wells. In the inner courtyard there is a great well and the access to the historic stables, today used as an event hall. From the tower and the terraces one enjoys a panoramic view over the Parma hills and the Stirone valley.
The castle today: residence, events and wine
The Castle of Scipione is still today the private residence of the marquises Pallavicino, one of the very few Italian families who still live in their original castle in unbroken succession for almost a thousand years. The owners open the manor to the public through guided tours by booking, during which the history of the family, court anecdotes and the daily life of a contemporary noble family are recounted. The castle hosts weddings, private events and wine tastings: the estate produces wines DOC typical of the Colli di Parma including the famous Sauvignon and the red Bonarda. The cellar of the castle, with vintage bottles, is open to visit. The manor is part of the Castles of the Duchy of Parma and Piacenza circuit and is a few kilometres from the Castle of Tabiano, from the spas of Salsomaggiore and from the Stirone Park, in one of the most beautiful areas of Upper Emilia for slow tourism, wellness and food and wine.