Food
Parmigiano Reggiano
A PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) hard cheese, cooked and unpressed, made from raw cow’s milk produced by cattle mainly fed with local forage from the provinces of Parma and Reggio Emilia. The product stands out for its production method, unchanged for nine centuries and using the same ingredients – milk, rennet, and salt – without any additives.
Prosciutto di Parma
A cured and aged raw ham produced in the province of Parma and obtained from the processing of fresh pork legs from breeds registered in the Italian Genealogical Register. The product is completely natural and is distinguished by the characteristic sweetness and flavor that develop during the aging process.
Pasta alla sorbolese
Traditionally served in a wide, shallow pan, this dish combines pasta – preferably short shapes such as mezzi rigatoni – with a sauce made exclusively from natural ingredients including tomatoes from the Parma countryside, grated Parmigiano Reggiano, thin strands of tosone cheese, butter, and fresh basil leaves.
Anolini morbini in brodo
Small circular parcels of egg pasta filled with meat, eggs, and spices. They should not be confused with the typical Parmigian anolini, which instead contain a cheese-based filling rather than meat. In the historic recipe passed down by the inhabitants of Sorbolo Mezzani, there is also a secret ingredient originating from the lands along the Po River.
Cipolla dorata di Parma
A classic golden onion known for its distinctly sweet flavor and very early growing cycle. Its weight can vary between 300 and 450 grams. In seasons with limited rainfall the size may be smaller and the flavor slightly sharper. It is transplanted from autumn to early spring and harvested from late May to July. It stores well and is suitable for all culinary uses.
Tortél Dols (sweet tortello)
A typical dish from the Parma culinary tradition, particularly from the town of Colorno. It consists of fresh pasta filled with a distinctly sweet mixture made from noble pears, white watermelon, quince apples, lemon juice, sugar, mustard essence, breadcrumbs, and cooked grape must (obtained by slowly boiling grape juice). The dish is dressed with butter and grated Parmigiano Reggiano, with the optional addition of tomato sauce.
Points of interest
Ciclovia della Food Valley Bike
Developed along the scenic, artistic, and food-and-wine highlights of the Parma area, the Food Valley Bike cycle route connects Parma to Busseto with the aim of combining the promotion of tourism in the lowlands with the benefits of physical activity. The route encourages visitors to enjoy the territory while embracing a conscious and sustainable appreciation of the outstanding agri‑food products of the area that runs alongside the Po River.
Acquario Biosfera di Mezzani
The educational aquarium of the Parma Morta Nature Reserve hosts hundreds of native fish and crustacean species such as carp, tench, sturgeon, catfish, and freshwater crayfish. The visitor route is located inside a traditional rural house typical of the Po River floodplain. The interior has been modernized and equipped with digital tools to offer an immersive learning experience for both adults and children.
Porto turistico fluviale di Mezzani
The Mezzani river tourist port is an ideal landing point for visitors wishing to immerse themselves in nature on the banks of the Po River. It features a welcoming and spacious green area equipped for outdoor excursions and physical activities. This infrastructure is of fundamental importance for navigation along the great river and enjoys a strategic position with moorings equipped for recreational boats. At sunrise and sunset it offers breathtaking displays of natural light.
Museo etnografico delle culture contadine
Also known as the “House of Rural Traditions”, this museum is located in Coenzo, a hamlet of the municipality of Sorbolo Mezzani. It is an iconic place for anyone wishing to explore the rural culture of the past. Housed in a 19th‑century rural building, the museum allows younger generations to rediscover the traditions of their grandparents, including traditional clothing and the tools used in historical rural trades.
Reggia di Colorno
A grand and monumental architectural complex that once served as the summer residence of the Farnese and Bourbon dukes and of Marie Louise of Austria, Napoleon’s wife. Surrounded by a French‑style garden, the palace contains large ceremonial halls decorated with precious furnishings, stuccoes, and frescoes that display the centuries‑old luxury of the ducal court. Today it is frequently chosen as a venue for major events and live concerts.
Piazza Duomo di Parma
Officially known as the Cathedral Square of Santa Maria Assunta, it is the most important Catholic place of worship in Parma and its province and a major destination for pilgrimages and religious tourism routes. Built in the 11th century in Romanesque style, the cathedral houses ten chapels along the side aisles. The internal octagonal dome was frescoed in the 16th century by Antonio Allegri, known as Correggio, with the famous painting of the Assumption of the Virgin. The architectural complex also includes the bell tower and the adjacent baptistery.
Caseificio della Bassa Parmense
One of the places where Parmigiano Reggiano cheese is produced according to its authentic and original method: a 100% natural product, lactose‑free and without added additives. In this area, between the localities of Frassinara and Ramoscello (hamlets of the municipality of Sorbolo Mezzani), historical documents and artifacts have been found that testify to the centuries‑long production of Parmigiano Reggiano. Guided tours are available inside the dairy, where visitors can observe every stage of the cheese‑making process.
Percorso ciclabile del pomodoro
A cycling route that runs through one of the most important tomato‑producing areas in Italy and the world, thanks in part to the decades‑long work of leading companies such as Rodolfi and Mutti. The route allows visitors to cross the territory within an unspoiled natural setting, passing large agricultural fields and evocative wooded inlets.
Chiesa barocca di San Michele
Originally built in the 12th century in the locality of Mezzani and later rebuilt in the Baroque period due to damage caused by repeated flooding of the Po River. Today it is considered one of the most appreciated places of worship in Italy for the distinctive decorations of its façade, characterized by six Doric pilasters and four Ionic pilasters. It is a popular destination for thousands of pilgrims who travel each year along the paths and routes that run alongside the Po River.
Antica Grancia Benedettina di Sanguigna
A typical Renaissance‑style building historically used by Benedictine orders as an agricultural estate until 1810, when it became private property following the suppression of religious orders decreed by Napoleon Bonaparte. Today it is a destination for tourist and educational visits, where visitors can observe spaces and tools typical of ancient monastic life.
