Discover Colorno: Residence, Garden and Cycle Routes

Colorno combines courtly history, a diverse historic garden and cycle routes through the Bassa countryside. Anyone looking for a holiday apartment in Colorno can focus their stay on culture and garden art or combine culture and cycling. It is therefore advisable to decide when planning the trip whether the focus should be on the interiors of the Reggia, the garden, museums or longer cycling tours.

The Reggia di Colorno and its courtly history

The Reggia di Colorno was the residence of the Farnese, the Borbone and Maria Luigia of Austria, Napoleon’s second wife. When the Reggia became the court’s summer residence, it was given the nickname “little Versailles”. This history makes a visit a journey through several eras of rule, without the individual historical references needing to be conflated.

For 2026, the visitor route includes the Piano Nobile, the Appartamento del Duca Ferdinando di Borbone and the Cappella Ducale di San Liborio. The chapel is considered the second-largest court chapel in Europe. San Liborio is also home to a Serassi organ that Andrea and Giuseppe Serassi built for Duke Ferdinando di Borbone between 1792 and 1796. Those interested in courtly rooms, sacred architecture or historic instruments can combine these stops according to different focuses for their visit.

Giardino Storico and MUPAC

The Giardino Storico also tells the story of its own development. Its first design dates back to 1400; Roberto Sanseverino conceived it in the Italian style with flower beds, pergolas, hedges, mazes, citrus trees and fruit trees. Under the rule of Maria Luigia, the garden gradually changed from a French to an English garden style between 1816 and 1823. Thus, the focus here is not only on plants and garden spaces, but also on the changing ideas of courtly design.

The Giardino Storico is freely accessible during the day all year round. In addition, a historical and botanical tour with an audio guide is available for €3.00. The MUPAC, the Museo dei Paesaggi di terra e di fiume, offers another perspective on the region. It is located on the first floor of the Aranciaia. The “Abitare” and “Saperi” exhibition areas display a total of 212 ethnographic objects. This adds a view of landscapes and rural ways of life to a visit to the residence.

Discover Colorno by bicycle

For active days during your holiday, the Greenway delle Residenze Ducali di Maria Luigia offers a special combination of culture and landscape. The cycle route connects the Reggia di Colorno, the Pilotta complex and Parco Ducale di Parma, and the Casino dei Boschi di Sala Baganza. Another cycle route runs along the embankment of the Torrente Naviglio through the Bassa area from Parma to Colorno. Those looking for accommodation can therefore consider whether their trip should be shaped primarily by sightseeing or cycling tours. The routes mentioned offer different ways to discover Colorno and its surroundings at your own pace.

More destinations for planning your trip

If you would like to explore other places for planning your trip in addition to Colorno, here is a compact selection: Fontanellato, Noceto, Sanguigna, Ostia Parmense, Pagazzano, Fornovo Di Taro, Berceto and Case Vecchie.

To the higher-level travel overview: Parma.