Torrechiara Castle stands majestically on the Parma hills, offering a breathtaking spectacle!
Its medieval architecture and imposing stone towers tell a glorious tale of power and love. Every corner of the fortress holds secrets and legends, immersing visitors in an atmosphere full of charm and fascination.

The Torrechiara Castle is the little kingdom of an ancient and poignant love story—that of the Visconti knight Pier Maria Rossi and his beloved Bianca Pellegrini. Between legend and reality, the noble remains of this fortress, a gift from Pier Maria to his beloved, narrate their romantic story through art, embodying the ideals of courtly love from medieval tradition.

The fortress is situated on a hill, offering a truly wonderful view of the Parma countryside, and is distinguished by its grandeur. From the moment you arrive, you can sense the magic of the place. The castle dates back to the late medieval period and has remained perfectly preserved to this day, with its square shape, four corner towers, and a curtain wall with turrets.

History of Torrechiara Castle

Torrechiara Castle is closely linked to the love story between Pier Maria Rossi and Bianca Pellegrini. Pier Maria, a nobleman and military leader of the 15th century, was compared to Lorenzo the Magnificent for his valor and culture. Although he was married to Antonia Torelli for political reasons, he fell in love with Bianca Pellegrini, who left her husband to be with him.

Between 1448 and 1460, Pier Maria built Torrechiara Castle in honor of Bianca, transforming it into a sumptuous and refined residence. The castle, which stands on the remains of a pre-existing medieval fortress, is one of the most enchanting and well-preserved in Italy, enriched with extraordinary frescoes such as the 1464 Camera d’Oro (Golden Chamber) and the decorations by Cesare Baglione.

Legend has it that the architectural balance of the castle is the result of Pier Maria’s Renaissance studies. In addition to Torrechiara, he also built the Castle of Roccabianca, again in honor of his beloved Bianca. Their love story, never officially recognized, continues to live on within the walls of Torrechiara, enveloped in an aura of romance and mystery.

The Golden Chamber and the First Floor

Inside the castle, the magnificent Camera d’Oro (Golden Chamber) stands out among all the rooms. It is so named because the terracotta panels adorning the lower part of its walls were once covered in pure gold leaf.

This room was originally the bridal chamber and is the only one in the castle that has preserved its original 15th-century decoration. The fresco cycle in this chamber is attributed to Benedetto Bembo.

The heart of the fresco cycle’s message is found in the four lunettes of the vault, which seem to depict the ritual of courtly love with the two lovers of Torrechiara as the protagonists. The most significant lunette, emblematic of their love story, is the one on the eastern side, which shows Pier Maria and Bianca both pierced through the heart by Eros.

Since the rooms are unfurnished, the frescoes on the walls stand out even more.

On the upper floor of Torrechiara Castle, there are four other beautiful rooms that were restored in the late 1990s: the Rooms of Dawn, Noon, Sunset, and Evening.

The landscape depictions, though born from the artist’s imagination, are highly harmonious; the colors used for the sky’s shades at different times of the day are incredible. Visitors find themselves wrapped in these landscapes, as if being drawn into a fantasy-like setting.

The Halls on the Ground Floor

Visitors can access the Oratory of San Nicomede from the inner courtyard, where Pier Maria and Bianca were likely buried. Also on the ground floor are the Hall of Jupiter, the Pergola Hall, the Hall of Victory, the Canopy Hall, and the Hall of Angels.

The Legend of Torrechiara Castle

What kind of castle would it be without a legend?

According to legend, Pier Maria Rossi’s ghost still wanders through Torrechiara castle and surrounding areas. It is said that on full moon nights, his spirit roams in search of his beloved Bianca, repeatedly uttering the phrase “Nunc et semper” (Latin for “Now and always”). This phrase is also inscribed as a recurring motif on the terracotta panels of the Camera d’Oro.

Torrechiara Castle: A Fabulous Film Location

The charm of this location has not gone unnoticed by famous film directors, and it has served as the backdrop for several films, including:

• The Tragedy of a Ridiculous Man, a 1981 film by Maestro Bertolucci
• Ladyhawke (1985), starring a young Michelle Pfeiffer
• The Borgias, a 2014 television series

Guided Tours of the Castle of Torrechiara

Entrance requires the purchase of a ticket costing €5.

Opening hours:

• Tuesday to Saturday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
• Sundays and public holidays: 1:00 PM – 7:00 PM
• Monday: Closed

Ticket office phone number: +39 0521-355 255

For all useful information, visit the official website of Torrechiara Castle.

This is a magnificent place that I highly recommend visiting, and I hope to have inspired you! Torrechiara Castle is located just outside the town of Langhirano, in the province of Parma—an area full of wonderful tourist gems and home to the world-famous Prosciutto di Parma.

Spending a day in this area offers the perfect blend of gastronomy, history, and a touch of magic!

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