From Parma along the Enza valley

On the left:
Matilda's parish curch of Sasso, near Neviano;
Fresco in the castle of Montechiarugolo.
From Parma you can reach the castle of Montechiarugolo addressing Neviano degli Arduini in direction of Pieve di Sasso (a well preserved matildic parish, offering a costume procession on the last Sunday of July). Pass over the matildic municipality of Palanzano, characterized by a typically rocky landscape, and, crossing the bridge on the Enza river near Vetto (costume commemoration on the second Sundat of July), where you can run your car more easily. Turning to north (near Selvapiana, on the road to Gombio-Felina, but you can also park near the river at the restaurant Pagoda) you can reach the Tempietto del Petrarca and, a few km after, the Natural Park of the Rupe di Campotrera.
You will side then the castles of Rossena and Canossa (you can have a stop at Ciano d'Enza and visit them; a costume festival takes place on the first Sunday of September). When you get back to the valley road, take the direction of S.Polo (castle and parish of Caviano, historical festival in June), and get back to the parmesan region passing the bridge of Montecchio (visit to the castle suggested; celebration of S.Simone in October, antiquities market)
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Official tourist information site of the public-private local area promotion company Matilde di Canossa S.p.A. Credits