Artviva’s Favorite Food Experience in Italy
Rose & Pier Visit Antica Corte Pallavicina and the Legendary Culatello Cellars of Parma
Antica Corte Pallavicina in Parma is one of the most extraordinary culinary destinations in Italy.
Italy is filled with extraordinary restaurants. But every so often you discover a place where history, landscape, and food culture come together so perfectly that the experience becomes unforgettable.
For Artviva founders Rose Magers and Pier Carlo Testa, that place is Antica Corte Pallavicina, a medieval castle standing quietly on the banks of the Po River in Emilia-Romagna.
After more than 25 years designing food and wine journeys across Italy, Rose and Pier agree on one thing:
This is Artviva’s favorite food experience in Italy.
Recently they returned to stay at the castle relais and dine in both restaurants — and the visit confirmed why this place is so extraordinary.
For videos and behind-the-scenes moments from their visit, see:
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A Medieval Castle on the Po River
Antica Corte Pallavicina is not simply a hotel. It is a fortified medieval castle built in 1249 by the Pallavicino family, who controlled trade along the Po River. Over the centuries the castle became part of the agricultural life of the Po Valley. Eventually it fell into decline. But for Chef Massimo Spigaroli, the castle was deeply personal. His grandfather had been born there, when it was still a working rural estate.
As a young man Massimo dreamed of restoring the abandoned castle and turning it into a restaurant that would celebrate the culinary traditions of the region. Many people thought the dream was impossible. But he succeeded.
Today Antica Corte Pallavicina is one of the most fascinating culinary destinations in Italy — a place where history, agriculture, and gastronomy come together in a remarkable way.
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The Culatello Cellars
One of Italy’s Great Food Experiences
Beneath the castle lie the famous culatello aging cellars. These historic brick vaults are cool and humid — perfect conditions for aging one of Italy’s most prized foods. Hundreds of culatelli hang quietly from wooden beams. Culatello di Zibello is considered by many food experts to be the greatest cured meat in Italy.
It can only be produced in a small area along the Po River where fog, humidity, and seasonal climate create perfect aging conditions. Chef Massimo Spigaroli has become one of the great guardians of this tradition.
Among the culatelli aging in these cellars are hams destined for:
- King Charles III
- some of the great restaurants of Italy
- internationally famous chefs including Massimo Bottura
Walking through these cellars feels almost like entering a cathedral of Italian gastronomy.
For Rose and Pier, it is one of the most fascinating culinary experiences in Italy.
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Staying at the Castle Relais
Today the castle is also a beautiful relais hotel.
There are only a small number of rooms, each decorated with antique furniture and wooden beams.
The atmosphere is peaceful and authentic.
Morning mist rises from the river.
The countryside surrounding the estate is quiet farmland.
Breakfast includes local cheeses, fresh bread, and seasonal fruit.
It feels less like staying in a hotel and more like being welcomed into a historic Italian country estate.
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Dining at the Michelin-Starred Restaurant
Dinner at Antica Corte Pallavicina’s Michelin-starred restaurant is a celebration of the ingredients of Emilia-Romagna.
Chef Massimo Spigaroli’s cooking is refined but deeply rooted in tradition.
The menu often includes:
- aged culatello di Zibello
- handmade pasta
- seasonal vegetables
- slow cooked meats
- wines from Emilia-Romagna and northern Italy
- The philosophy of the kitchen is simple:
Respect the ingredients and the traditions of the region.
The result is elegant cuisine that still feels deeply connected to the agricultural life of the Po Valley.
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Hosteria del Maiale
The Joyful Celebration of Emilia-Romagna Cuisine
The second restaurant on the estate offers a completely different experience. Hosteria del Maiale.
If the Michelin restaurant is elegant and refined, the Hosteria is warm, rustic, and joyful.
Here the focus is pork in all its wonderful forms.
Expect:
- tasting boards of culatello and salumi
- handmade pasta
- traditional slow-cooked pork dishes
- classic desserts from Emilia-Romagna
The atmosphere is lively and authentic — a true celebration of the food traditions of the region.
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Why This Is Artviva’s Favorite Food Experience in Italy
After decades exploring Italian cuisine, Rose and Pier believe Antica Corte Pallavicina represents something very special.
It combines:
- historic architecture
- authentic agricultural traditions
- extraordinary cuisine
- deep connection to the land
It is not a restaurant designed for tourists.
It is a living culinary heritage.
A place where the traditions of the Po Valley continue exactly as they have for generations.
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Discover Parma and Emilia-Romagna with Artviva
The region around Parma is often called Italy’s Food Valley. Many of the country’s most famous foods originate here.
Artviva designs extraordinary experiences that allow travelers to discover these traditions.
Some highlights include:
- Parmigiano Reggiano Dairy Visits
- Watch cheesemakers transform fresh milk into Parmigiano Reggiano in large copper vats.
- Taste cheeses aged 24, 36, and even 48 months.
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Traditional Balsamic Vinegar Experiences
Visit historic attic vinegar lofts where balsamic vinegar ages for decades.
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Parma Culinary Experiences
Discover traditional trattorias, artisan producers, and historic food markets.
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The Artviva Gourmet Transfer
Florence → Parma → Milan
One of the most memorable ways to explore this region is with an Artviva Gourmet Transfer.
Instead of simply traveling between cities, the journey becomes a culinary adventure.
Along the way guests can visit:
- Parmigiano Reggiano dairies
- culatello cellars
- traditional trattorias
- balsamic vinegar producers
By the time you reach Milan, you will have experienced one of the richest food landscapes in Italy.
Learn more about Artviva’s culinary journeys
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Planning a Food Lover’s Trip to Parma
For travelers passionate about Italian cuisine, Parma is one of the most rewarding destinations in Italy.
Experiences to consider include:
- visiting culatello cellars
- touring Parmigiano Reggiano dairies
- tasting traditional balsamic vinegar
- exploring historic trattorias
The region combines beautiful countryside with one of the greatest culinary traditions in Europe.
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Follow Rose and Pier’s Visit
To see the full experience of Rose and Pier’s visit to Antica Corte Pallavicina, including the culatello cellars and both restaurants, visit:
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Plan Your Italian Culinary Journey
For more than 25 years, Artviva has been creating extraordinary travel experiences across Italy.
We connect travelers with chefs, historians, winemakers, and artisan producers to create authentic journeys into Italian culture.
If you would like to experience the culinary traditions of Emilia-Romagna — including Antica Corte Pallavicina — Artviva would be delighted to design a bespoke itinerary for you.
Visit:
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Frequently Asked Questions About Food Travel in Parma
What is Antica Corte Pallavicina?
Antica Corte Pallavicina is a restored medieval castle on the Po River in Emilia-Romagna that includes a relais hotel, Michelin-starred restaurant, traditional trattoria, and historic culatello aging cellars.
What is culatello di Zibello?
Culatello di Zibello is a rare Italian cured meat produced in a small region along the Po River near Parma. Many food experts consider it the finest cured meat in Italy.
What food experiences can travelers have near Parma?
Visitors can tour Parmigiano Reggiano dairies, visit culatello aging cellars, explore balsamic vinegar lofts, and enjoy traditional trattorias serving handmade pasta.
What is a gourmet transfer in Italy?
A gourmet transfer is a private journey between cities that includes culinary stops along the way, transforming travel time into a food experience.