Discover Fontanellato: Fortress, Frescoes and Religious Buildings

Fontanellato offers a range of starting points for a trip: architectural history and art, religious sites, and regional cycling opportunities. The Labirinto della Masone also makes its own distinctive impression with a setting consisting entirely of bamboo plants. When planning your trip, you can first decide whether the fortress and frescoes, sacred architecture, or the landscape of the Bassa Parmense will be your main focus.

Rocca Sanvitale: Architectural History and Frescoes

The imposing Rocca Sanvitale fortress was built in the 14th century on an existing building dating from 1124. Inside the fortress is the Saletta di Diana e Atteone, painted by Francesco Mazzola, known as Parmigianino, in 1523–1524. Three dates should be distinguished: 1124 refers to the earlier building, the 14th century to the construction of the fortress, and 1523–1524 to the painting of the Saletta. The architectural history and frescoes therefore belong to distinctly different periods. Those interested in art and historic buildings will find two specific points in time at one named site.

Religious Buildings and Historical References

The Santuario della Beata Vergine del Santo Rosario is a Catholic religious building in Baroque and Neo-Baroque forms and has been a pilgrimage destination for centuries. The Chiesa di Santa Croce is a late Gothic parish church; its dating spans from the early 16th to the early 17th century. The historical reference for the Chiesa di San Benedetto in Priorato goes further back: it was first mentioned in 1013 in a document issued by Emperor Henry II. In this document, the church is listed as property of the Benedictine Abbey of Leno. The three sites offer different historical perspectives: pilgrimage and architectural styles at the Santuario, a span of time at Santa Croce, and a documentary mention at San Benedetto. When comparing dates, take care to distinguish whether they refer to a construction period, the painting of a room, or a first mention.

Allow for Visiting Hours

The Santuario is open from 7:00 to 19:30; in the afternoon, it closes from 12:30 to 15:00. Several confessors from the Dominican Order are available during opening hours. If you are planning an afternoon visit, the closing time is important for your schedule. The Labirinto della Masone follows a different weekly schedule: it is open every day, including public holidays, except Tuesdays. Check the opening hours before your trip so your visit fits the relevant time slots.

The Labirinto della Masone

The Labirinto della Masone consists entirely of bamboo plants and includes around 300,000 plants of various species. The approximate number gives an idea of the scale of the site, while the variety of species is part of its description. This makes the Labirinto a different attraction from the fortress and religious buildings: instead of architectural history and ecclesiastical architecture, the focus here is a site made up of bamboo plants. The approximate figure should be understood as an indication of scale, not an exact count.

Regional Orientation and Cycling

Fontanellato lies on the Strada del Culatello di Zibello. The regional setting of the Bassa Parmense is also relevant for cycling trips: there, routes through old farmhouses and small villages in the area around Fontanellato are suitable. These two details offer different starting points for planning a trip. The Bassa Parmense is the regional setting for the cycling routes mentioned; Fontanellato lies on the named Strada del Culatello di Zibello. Route conditions and recommended tours may vary. If you are planning a cycling trip, check the specific route and relevant conditions in advance.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Sala Baganza, Berceto, Montechiarugolo, San Polo, Compiano, Busseto, Varano De' Melegari, Porcigatone

For the overview of the wider area: Parma.