Bedonia between Culture and the Apennines

Bedonia lies in the Parma Apennines, in a green hollow at the foot of Monte Pelpi, which rises to 1,480 m. The town offers several highlights for your stay: a historic center, art and archaeology collections, recurring events, and trails and views across the landscape. Depending on whether cultural history, a specific event, or nature experiences are your priority, different themes can shape your travel plans.

Historic Center and Collections

The historic center is arranged around three main routes that converge on a parish church of medieval origin. The church’s current form dates from the first half of the 17th century.

The Pinacoteca Parmigiani displays 34 of the approximately 80 historic paintings preserved by the Bedonia seminary. The Archaeological Museum exhibits finds from the Rocche di Drusco, from Bronze Age settlements of the Proto-Ligurian people. The collections have different focuses: historic painting on the one hand, and archaeological evidence from the Bronze Age on the other.

In Parco della Peschiera, you can see the entrance arch of the former Silva estate, dating from the 18th century. Sculptures created at international symposia for Carniglia sandstone are located both in the historic center and in the park. The arch and sculptures represent different chapters in the town’s landscape: a reminder of the former estate and works produced at the symposia.

Festivals and Planetarium

The annual solemn festival of the Madonna di San Marco is celebrated on the second Sunday in July. If you plan to travel to Bedonia for it, check that year’s program in advance.

The recurring Fiera del Prugnolo di Bedonia includes guided excursions to search for prugnolo mushrooms and themed hospitality featuring prugnolo. The program thus combines a guided search with a culinary focus. Check the dates and that year’s program before your trip.

The planetarium is available at any time by request; in summer, it hosts public evenings, as well as stargazing sessions at Passo della Cappelletta by reservation. The different arrangements are important for planning: use by request, stargazing by reservation, and public evenings in summer. Check current dates and reservation arrangements in advance.

Hiking, Roads, and Landscape

The Sorgente di Pescarone trail near Bedonia is an easy hike through woodland, in a cool setting and past small water features. Check local conditions before setting out. Bedonia is also on the Strada del Fungo Porcino.

From Bedonia, winding roads with views of the Parma hills lead to the Cento Croci, del Bocco, and del Tomarlo passes on the border between Emilia and Liguria. The footpath is described as an easy hike through woodland and past water features, while the roads to the passes are winding routes with views of the Parma hills.

Getting to Bedonia

By car, you can reach Bedonia from the Borgo Val di Taro exit of the A15 Parma–La Spezia motorway; from there, the route continues for about 30 km in the direction of Borgotaro–Bedonia–Chiavari. Check current driving conditions before setting off. Borgo Val di Taro railway station is on the Parma–La Spezia line and about 15 km from Bedonia. If you are considering taking the train, check current local connections.

Discover more destinations: Fontanelle, Ozzano Taro, Compiano, Diolo, Felegara, Vignale, Tizzano Val Parma, Terenzo

For the regional travel overview: Parma.