Fornovo Di Taro between the Via Francigena and the Taro Landscape

Fornovo Di Taro combines the historic Via Francigena with the diverse landscape of the River Taro and an unusually rich history. If you are planning a trip combining nature, a pilgrimage route, and culture, you will find various points of interest here: riverbanks and protected areas, Romanesque religious architecture, a monumental bridge, and traces of Italy’s oil industry history.

Via Francigena and Paths along the Taro

In the Province of Parma, the Via Francigena passes through Fidenza, Noceto, Medesano, Fornovo Di Taro, Terenzo, and Berceto. This makes Fornovo Di Taro part of a historic route connecting several towns. A historic variant of the Via Francigena from Parma runs along the Parco fluviale del Taro and reconnects with the route in Fornovo Di Taro. In Ramiola, one of the access routes to the River Taro coincides with the Via Francigena.

Another path leads through the Parco del Taro and ends at the Pieve di Fornovo Di Taro. This connection can serve as a reference when planning a trip that combines landscape and culture. If you are traveling with different age groups, you can plan a day by the river, a section of the historic route, or a cultural visit depending on your interests, without trying to fit every experience into a single itinerary.

River Landscape and Natural Environment

The Parco regionale Taro stretches for approximately 20 kilometers along the Taro, from the Via Emilia to Fornovo, and preserves natural gravel banks, islands, and branching river channels. More than 270 bird species have been observed in the park. For nature enthusiasts, this creates a landscape that consists not only of a river course, but also of changing riverbank formations and river islands.

The Medio Taro protected area includes the approximately 23-kilometer section of the River Taro between Noceto and Fornovo. The different figures given for the park and the protected area each describe their own spatial context. When choosing your holiday apartment, you can therefore consider whether your trip should focus primarily on the river landscape, the Via Francigena, or the historic sites.

Historic Sites and Special Discoveries

Villa Carona stands on a hill on the outskirts of Fornovo, overlooking the Val Taro and more than eight centuries of history. The building can only be viewed from the outside. This clear restriction is an important part of planning your visit: Villa Carona is an exterior point of interest for anyone wishing to consider historic architecture and the landscape together.

In Vallezza, a preserved oil extraction site recalls the area’s industrial past. It includes pumping stations, pump jacks, chain systems, sucker rods, and gears. The oil extraction area extends across agricultural land and is considered a unique example in Italy. Oil was first extracted in Italy in the Vallezza area. The MuPe – Parco Museo del petrolio is located at the former Cantiere SPI in Vallezza, Fornovo Di Taro.

The Pieve di Santa Maria Assunta on Piazza IV Novembre is a Roman Catholic religious building in the Romanesque style and belongs to the group of historic parish churches in the Province of Parma. The church houses a reliquary cross from the 11th or 12th century depicting Christ crucified, which was venerated by pilgrims. The Ponte sul Fiume Taro also reflects the town’s architectural history: the monumental 19th-century bridge has twenty arches and four marble statues representing local waterways. A commemorative plaque also recalls the 1495 Battle between the army of Charles VIII and the Italian League.

Travel Connections and Choosing Accommodation

Fornovo Di Taro can be reached via the exit of the same name on the A15 motorway. The Parma–La Spezia railway line and public bus services also provide connections to the town. These different travel options can play a role in planning your trip if you want to choose your holiday apartment according to your planned itinerary. First decide whether the Via Francigena, the Taro landscape, or the cultural sites should be the main focus. You can then connect your search for suitable accommodation more precisely with your personal travel plans.

Discover More Destinations

If you would like to compare other destinations for your travel planning in addition to Fornovo Di Taro, you can also view Vignale, Valmozzola, Arola, Sanguigna, Montechiarugolo, Vigatto, Felino, and Orzale.

For the higher-level travel overview: Parma.