Castello di Torrechiara
Fifteenth-century castle on a hill above the Val Parma, known for the frescoed Camera d'Oro and its painted halls.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The castle was built between 1448 and 1460 by Pier Maria Rossi, Count of San Secondo, as a residence and defensive fortress. It stands on a terraced hill south of Parma, on the first Apennine hills, and comprises the manor house, the old upper village, an inner courtyard, four corner towers and a walled platform.
The building is famous for its frescoed rooms. On the ground floor the halls of Giove, del Pergolato, della Vittoria and del Velario are attributed to Cesare Baglione, while the Sala degli Angeli, the work of an anonymous Parma painter of the early seventeenth century, recalls Correggio's dome in the Duomo of Parma. On the upper floor opens the great Salone degli Acrobati, decorated by Baglione and Giovan Antonio Paganino.
In the north-east tower is the Camera d'Oro, the old nuptial chamber, which owes its name to the gold leaf that once covered the panels of the walls. It was frescoed between 1460 and 1462 by Benedetto Bembo or, according to recent hypotheses, by his brother Gerolamo, with scenes inspired by the ritual of chivalric love. After a restoration completed in 2006, the underground rooms can also be visited. Today the castle is part of the Complesso monumentale della Pilotta.
Highlights
- Camera d'Oro with frescoes attributed to Benedetto Bembo
- Salone degli Acrobati
- Halls frescoed by Cesare Baglione
- Underground rooms restored in 2006
- Four corner towers and walled platform
Permanent exhibition
- Visita al castello e alla Camera d'Oro – The route visits the frescoed rooms on the ground floor, the Salone degli Acrobati, the Camera d'Oro in the north-east tower and the underground rooms.
- Founded
- 1450
- Operated by
- Ministero della Cultura – Complesso monumentale della Pilotta
- Visitors per year
- approx. 63,439
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €8 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €2young people aged 18 to 24 |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 17 · Free admission for under-18s. |
| Groups (10+ people) | €6 per personAdult groups of 10 to 30 people; groups book by calling +39 0521 355255. |
| Combined ticket (Pilotta, Antica Spezieria di San Giovanni, Castello di Torrechiara, Veleia archaeological area) | €25 |
Free admission: Every first Sunday of the month (Domenica al museo), 25 April, 2 June and 4 November; on 8 March free admission for women. On free-admission days tickets are not sold online.
Free admission also for members of the Amici della Pilotta and for the categories provided for by the Ministry of Culture. The ticket office closes 30 minutes before the castle. Tickets at the castle ticket office or online.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The route is free of barriers both at courtyard level and on the piano nobile (main floor), which can be reached by lift. Staff assist visitors with access, including by car, and along the route; it is advisable to call +39 0521 355255 in advance.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
The castle is located in the hamlet of Torrechiara, in the municipality of Langhirano, about 18 kilometres south of Parma.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Groups and guided tours are booked by phone; for groups on Sundays and public holidays at least 10 days' notice is required. Guided visits to the Torre di San Nicomede and to the walkways are offered, by reservation. |
