Castle of Gropparello

Immersed in the lush greenery of the Vezzeno Valley, atop a spur of green serpentine, sheer above
and over the years it was held by important families, such as the Fulgosi, the Pallavicino, the Sforza, the Campofregoso, the Attendolo and, lastly, the Gibelli. Built on an irregular plan, it is a magnificent example of the art of fortification. The ‘Parco delle Fiabe’ (‘Park of Fairy Tales’) has been created in the surrounding woodland: the first ‘emotive’ park in Italy. Children, dressed as olden-day knights and accompanied by guides, rediscover the traces of the passage of fairies, pixies, elves, druids and witches. For older visitors, there are splendid banquets in the Medieval Tavern.

LOCALITY: Municipality of Gropparello, 27 km from Piacenza

OPENING PERIOD:  from 18 March to 18 November

OPENING HOURS: Sunday and holidays
Castle: ticket office open from 10am to 6.30pm during summertime (5pm wintertime).
Parco delle Fiabe: ticket office open from 10am to 5.30pm in spring/summer (3.30pm in autumn).
Activities rotate approximately every 30 minutes. Open on weekdays and in winter by reservation.
Admission by payment. Guided visits. Educational activities for schools.

PRICE TICKETS: Adults*
guided tour  in the castle: Euro 6,00
guided tour in the Parco: Euro 11,50
single ticket: Euro 15,00
Childrens* (from 3 to 12 years)
guided tour in the castle: Euro 5,00
guided tour in the Parco (included une adventure): Euro 8,50
single ticket: Euro 12,00
*price is valid only for sunday and holiday
schools**: it depended on the age
**price is valid from monday to saturday (non holiday)

CONCESSIONS: reduced price for the possessors of “Card del Ducato” (it discount is valid only for visit to castle) Euro 5,00; discount for members Touring of Euro 0,50 on price ticket; free entry for members club “44 Gatti” and for children until 12 years in the sunday of july and august. Non discount for members of groups.

PATH OF VISIT: noble rooms, parapet walk, keep, courtyards. Park of the Fairytales*: paths in the wood for both guided tours and children's adventures. *strong, waterproof footwear suitable for walking in the woods is recommended in the event of wet weather.

SERVICES: guided tours in foreign language by booking (french and english);The Elves' Shop (books, bindery, jewellery, educational games relating to science, nature, music and fairy-tales, with a particularly rich collection of soft puppets and medieval toy soldiers, ceramics, antique dolls and D.O.C. wines). Credit cards accepted (restaurant only). Refreshment point; medieval tavern.

PICTURES AND TEXTS WITH KIND COOPERATION OF ASSOCIATION OF CASTLES OF THE DUCHY OF PARMA AND PIACENZA

Useful information about su GROPPARELLO :
Meteo in Emilia