Castello di Gropparello
-
Parties / Large Groups
Parties and Large Groups are welcome.
-
Open House
Gropparello Castle, nestled in the verdant hills of Italy’s Emilia Romagna region, has today lowered its drawbridge to its annual invasion of excitable visitors, keen to learn more about the Castle’s history and fables, its ghosts and ghouls and to take part in medieval jousting tournaments and gastronomic festivals. Perched on a rocky crag of unrivalled beauty, the Castle dates back to the ninth Century. Given by Charlemagne to the Bishop of Piacenza, Giuliano, II in 808, the castle later passed into the possession of several families, including the Pallavicino, Sforza and Campofregoso families, but it was the bestowal of an “earldom” on Marcantonio Anguissola which ushered in its period of greatest splendour. The Castle is open to tourists from March to November every year. Gropparello Castle attracts tourists who are seeking medieval adventures and interested in the folklore that envelopes the Castle’s history. Gropparello has a calendar bursting with events geared around the Castle’s mediaeval traditions, from perfectly reconstructed banquets, festivals and wedding ceremonies, to music activities with children with the lute, harp and other medieval instruments. Gropparello hosts a number of festivals, including the famous Medieval Market which takes place on May 13th to the Grape Festival in September (every Sunday – book in advance), where children are encouraged to take part in the production process, helping to tread the grapes, to produce what the Castle calls “Vino dei Bambini” – children’s wine – so even the kids can partake in a goblet or two during the medieval feasts! The Castle is in an area of outstanding natural beauty. Castle visitors get taken to the “Gole di Vezzeno” a deep gorge in the hillside, where they can cross a rope bridge over the rushing torrents of a river below – the lush vegetation and the gully create a great deal of botanical and geological interest and the views are breathtaking. Gropparello’s famous fairy tale park – Parco delle Fiabe - is also a must see for all children visiting the Castle. Hidden in the woods the fairy tale park is a truly phantasmagorical experience. In the park you can meet cavaliers, pixies and fairies, who regale you with fascinating medieval tales. The White Knight will then lead battalions of children, dressed as little cavaliers and armed with swords, into battle against the witches and ogres they find in the fairy park. And it isn’t just the witches and ogres that can send the shiver down the spine of visitors. Gropparello Castle’s unique medieval architecture, from soaring turrets and a formidable moat, to secret passageways and imposingly ancestral banqueting halls, is home to a number of Gropparello Castle’s resident ghosts. A few lucky visitors have claimed to have seen the friendly apparition of a young girl, who walks in the Castle’s passageways. Gropparello also has a great heritage in the gastronomic delights of the Emilia Romagna region. The Castle has a Medieval Tavern with a delicious menu, which attracts tourists from far and wide passing through the area. From delicious regional dishes, to an extensive wine list, this is a mouth watering experience from the Middle Ages. Gropparello Castle does not only appeal to children, but is extremely attractive to adults wishing to while away their hours with a good glass of wine and delicious Italian antipasti, whilst the kids take part in more strenuous activities. Moreover, Gropparello Castle is part of the itinerary of “Strada dei vini e dei sapori piacentini” – the route that many tourists take to experience the wines and tastes of Piacenza. The owner of Gropparello Castle, Rita Gibelli, describes the beauty of the Castle and the area, “We really are in a stunning spot – the Castle is an absolute must see for tourists visiting or touring the Northern region of Italy. Close to the Lakes, Venice, Verona and Milan, Florence the Castle provides a welcome retreat for families, historians and gastronomes alike. There is so much to do and see – endless activities for kids, which are not just fun but are all highly educational and healthy. Gropparello Castle with its talented chef can also keep adults amused for hours! With our English speaking guides, we look forward to welcoming tourists from the UK into the past here at Gropparello this summer.” Gropparello Castle is open from the 16 March to the 16 November in 2008 and it is a member of the “Ducato dei Castelli di Parma e Piacenza” – the Dukedom of Parma and Piacenza Castles. Entrance fee to the whole park costs 11.50 euros for children and 14.50 for adults. The Castle is situated 29 kilometres from Piacenza e 26 km from Fiorenzuola. Motorway A4 Exit Fiorenzuola D’Arda.
-
Parking
In the castle’s wood, we created the “fairy tales’ park”: in an enchanting scenery, surrounded by ancient trees and millenary rocks, you will experience a magic adventure out of time! Who’s living in this magic forest? Fairies, pixies, elfs and druids, witches and maybe ogres…And again wizards, searching for herbs for their potions. Led by the White Knight along the path, visitors will be involved by these fairy characters, rooted in a remote world, simply lost in time… Kids, dressed up like knights and led by the White Knight will also experience a fantastic battle against evil forces and will fight ogres and witches. FOR 2008 YEAR, OPENING IS FROM 16 MARCH UNTIL 16 NOVEMBER To obtain informations abouts times and dates of opening, didactics for schools and other attractions, visit our website: www.castellodigropparello.it and www.castellodigropparello.com
-
Disabled Access
There is disabled access only
-
Shopping
There is a shop.
-
Restaurant
At the entrance to the Parco del Castello is the Medieval Tavern, where history and tradition provide the magical stage for splendid, unforgettable medieval costume banquets, with special, traditional Piacenza dishes inspired by medieval recipes. Welcomed by bizarre yet friendly figures from a bygone age, our Guests will discover how, during a Medieval banquet, food appealed not only to the sense of taste, but to all five senses! Sorted appetizers, hand made pasta, tasty soups, roasted meats, enriched by spices and herbs, wide selection of vegetables. Plates of typical cheese and sacked pork meat, served with d.o.c. special wines and special breads. History and traditions magically surround the banquets. Dishes are various and abundant and re-visit medieval meals. At night, people are provided a medieval costume and entertained by funny friends from the middle ages.
-
Light Refreshments
In the Medieval Tavern is possible to have a tea with our cakes, or other dessert: Sweets Filled warm pastry € 6,50 Hazlneut icy cream € 6,00 Coffee flavoured Moro (cookie) € 6,50 Spiced frolle (pastry) with Malvasia sweet white wine € 6,00 Assorted Amelia sweets (for two ps) € 15,00 “Panna cotta” cream with chocolate or strawberry sauce € 6,00
-
Picnic Area
Around the castle there is a valley where is possible to have a picnic. No smoking. no eat chewing-gum.
-
Pets
No dogs admitted
-
Alcohol license
In Medieval Tavern you can taste the wine of Colli Piacentini doc. Gropparello also has a great heritage in the gastronomic delights of the Emilia Romagna region. The Castle has a Medieval Tavern with a delicious menu, which attracts tourists from far and wide passing through the area. From delicious regional dishes, to an extensive wine list, this is a mouth watering experience from the Middle Ages.
-
Special Events
special events 2008 year MEDIEVAL MARKET (May 11)- MARRIAGE AT THE CASTLE (June 1) HARVEST DAY (July 6) FEAST OF GRAPES AND WINE (September 7,14,21,28) KINGS’ BANQUET (October 12 FEAST OF THE LIGHT (November 2,9,16) COST: €15,00 per adult, €12,00 per kid including also guided tour inside the castle, fairy tales park and costumed adventure http://www.castellodigropparello.com
-
Accomodation on Premisies
FARM HOLYDAYS AND ACCOMODATIONS IN ANCIENT HOUSES NEAR GROPPARELLO CASTLE LEGEND: = Our advise TORRE DEL BORGO - SARIANO DI GROPPARELLO 0523.246503 - 335. 8444364 www.torredelborgo.it residenzadepoca@torredelborgo.it - Dists from Castello di Gropparello: 3 Km The Tower, of the same age as the oldest part of the Castle of Gropparello and other castles in the valley, was built as a defensive “support” to the castle itself, at the entrance to Val Vezzeno. Of note are the arrow slits and decorations, presently undergoing restoration, situated below the roof. Used as a military station in times of old, its main entrance door was positioned high upon the road, in order to prevent access by invaders. From the middle of the XV century onwards there began a gradual transformation of the old fortification from a military site into a “place of delights”. As a consequence the “accessory” towers also underwent the same transformation. The former manor house of previous times today has been transformed into an elegant period residence offering a bed and breakfast service. OPENING: from april to december NUMBER OF ROOMS: 5 doubles; 1 junior suite ADDRESS: Via Gavazzini, 11 - loc. Sariano - 29025 Gropparello (Piacenza) TELEPHONE: +39.0523.246503 FAX: +39.0523.246503 Cost : Euro 50 to 60 per person, including breakfast RESIDENZA TORRE SAN MARTINO – GAZZOLA DI RIVALTA 0523.972002 www.torresanmartino.it info@torresanmartino.it - Dists from Castello di Gropparello: 25 Km Set in the beautiful 11th-century village of Rivalta , we find a special residence for guests, the Torre di San Martino. The atmosphere is elegant but, at the same time, cosy, relaxed and, as you will find out, touched with magic... The house consists of an elegant hall and ten rooms each different from the others and, although provided with all modern conveniences, still maintaining the atmosphere of bygone times, brought out by the wooden ceilings, beds with baldacchinos, velvets and authentic antique furniture. The Residence offers nine De Luxe rooms and a De Luxe Junior Suite, all furnished most elegantly, with plasma televisions and sublimely furnished marble bathrooms. The rooms, though fitted with all modern conveniences, maintain an atmosphere of bygone times, shown by their wooden ceilings, beds with baldacchinos, velvets and authentic antique furniture. OPENING: ever NUMBER OF ROOMS: 9 doubles De Luxe; 1 junior suite ADDRESS: Borgo di Rivalta – 29010 Gazzola (Piacenza) TELEPHONE: +39.0523. 972002 FAX: +39.0523. 972030 Cost: on demand HOTELS HOTEL & LOISIR “LE RUOTE****” – ROVELETO DI CADEO 0523 . 500427 www.hotelleruote.it prenotazioni@hotelleruote.it - Dists from Castello di Gropparello: 25 Km Closed never In the green countryside between Fiorenzuola d'Arda and Alseno, a short distance from the course of the Via Emilia Roman road, and then the medieval Via Francigena which leads to Rome, one finds the Cistercian Abbey of Chiaravalle della Colomba. Founded in 1136 by San Bernardo di Clairvaux, it got its name – legend has it – to a dove which marked out its perimeter with small pieces of wood laid out on the ground. Opposite the basilica stands the Palazzo della Commenda: once the fourteenth-century abode of the commendatory abbot, it is now an elegant hotel. Restored in 2000, using traditional materials and preserving its ancient wooden beams, the building has been converted into a hotel, restaurant and congress centre. It has fifteen rooms with air conditioning, mini-bar and satellite TV. NUMBER OF ROOMS: 28 doubles CREDIT CARDS: all ADDRESS: Loc. Chiaravalle della Colomba - 29010 Alseno (Piacenza) TELEPHONE: +39.0523.940003 FAX: +39.0523.940109 Cost: Euro 45 to 86 a ps, Carte di credito: le principali LOCANDA SIDOLI *** - VIGOLO MARCHESE 0523 . 893040 www.locandasidoli.it - info@locandasidoli.it Distanza dal Castello di Gropparello: 20 Km OPENING: ever NUMBER OF ROOMS: 8 doubles CREDIT CARDS: Carta Sì, Visa, Mastercard ADDRESS: Vigolo Marchese – Castell’Arquato (Piacenza) TELEPHONE: +39. 0523 . 893040 Cost: Euro 25,00 to 40,00 a ps, HOSTEL OSTELLO DON ZERMANI - PIACENZA CENTRO 0523 . 712319 www.ostellodipiacenza.it ostellodipiacenza@libero.it -Dists from Castello di Gropparello: 30 Km city bike (3 € a-day), free parking, access for disabled, open-air tables, dogs accepted. Restaurant, meeting room, room renting for meals. Suited for students of secondary school or elder. Average cost: € 16,50 per person CAMPER’s AREA GROPPARELLO (municipal area – tel 0523-856121) - Dists from Castello di Gropparello: 0,6 Km Equipped area with water, garden, tables, benches and playground In the village there are: 3 doctors, 2 dentists, 1 chemist, church, supermarket, laundry, post office, two banks with bancomat/visa, pool, tennis court, trecking paths, pizzerias, restaurants and taverns PLEASE CONTACT US FOR OTHER ACCOMODATIONS OR FURTHER INDICATIONS AT: info@castellodigropparello.it (we recommended to contact us using e-mail) +39 0523 855814
