Parma, a city with a great cultural tradition, both aristocratic and popular, rich in precious works of art and prestigious monuments that range from the Romanesque to the Art-Nouveau style, confident of its past as capital of the Dukedom of Parma, Piacenza and Guastalla, marked by the enlightened rule of Napoleon's wife Maria Luigia, famous for its illustrious offspring and for the many artists who have lived and worked here - from Benedetto Antelami to Salimbene, from Correggio to Parmigianino, from Bodoni to Verdi and Toscanini, from Stendhal to Proust - it is unlike any of the many beautiful cities that draw visitors to Italy. It currently has 170,000 inhabitants. Situated halfway between Milan and Bologna, it is easily reached by motorway, railway or airport. The province has a total of about 400,000 inhabitants; it is characterized by its vast and pleasant mountainous areas dotted with numerous castles. Parma is known as the food valley capital and testimonial of food and the Italian food tradition thanks to its inimitable and world-renowned products, in particular Parma Ham, salamis and the famous Parmigiano-Reggiano.

The Calestano territory was inhabited in prehistoric times, as testified by the man-made flint tools found in the area. But the origin of the village dates back to the Middle Ages, a period in which the built-up area was under the jurisdiction of the Fieschi. The fief of Calestano belonged to the Fieschi family until the early decades of the 17th century when it was sold to the Tarasconi family. It was finally abolished in Napoleonic times. Terraced houses of medieval origin are prevalent in the upper end of the village, whilst large masonry courtyards bounded by wide entrance gateways can be seen in the lower end. Other traces of medieval and sixteenth-seventeenth century architecture can be seen in the hamlets of Marzolara, Vallerano, Ramiano, Ronzano, Borsano, Iano, Fragno, Alpicella, Canesano and Violone, Ravarano and Chiastre where the “Salti del Diavolo” are situated: 5 km of rock needles and walls that emerge sharply and suddenly and rise several dozen metres above the surrounding terrain.  To everyone who passes through this territory, besides admiring the architectural and naturalist attractions, we recommend tasting the dishes offered by the restaurateurs, including those based on Fragno black truffles during the period from September to January.

As an important industrial centre, Collecchio is a valid example of sustainable development: The great agri-food tradition of the area, the seat of numerous small and medium-sized firms and industries operating at international level, has not prevented the development of an effective environmental protection policy, which is an essential precondition for quality production. This area is home to the salami and cured pork meat processing industry, the first of these being Parma Ham (Prosciutto), situated in the APEA (ecologically equipped production area) at the ecological cutting edge, the cheese-making business that has Parmigiano-Reggiano and Parmalat, a leading milk company, as its main referents, and also the tomato canning industry with the country's highest production that at the start of the second decade of the twentieth century could already count on about seventy firms operating in the Parma area. The “Guatelli” Museum of peasant civilization and the Tomato Museum testify to Collecchio's tradition.

The village of Felino, an agricultural and industrial centre located between the gentle hills of the valley of the Baganza torrent, owes its fame to the production of the famous salami with a sweet taste and delicate fragrance, which by tradition should be sliced diagonally at an angle of 60° in order to highlight the grain and prevent the slice from breaking up if consumed fresh.
Felino then had a fundamental role in the history of the Parma province during the Middle Ages, thanks to its very well-known Castle, built on a hill in a panoramic position, at about 1 km from the village. Furthermore, new fame came to the village at the start of the 19th century as a centre of salami production. Also of interest is the archpriestal Church, which dates back to the 12th century, dedicated to the "Blessed Virgin Mary of the Purification", now visible in its seventeenth century reconstruction, mentioned in documents as long ago as 1230.

A meeting and exchange point between Parma plain and mountain, the municipality of Langhirano stands between vine-covered hills: the Torrechiara Castle rises at its feet and has from time immemorial been a place of mystery and legends, as well as a location for famous *films such as Ladyhawke. The manor also houses an exhibition dedicated to the famous soprano Renata Tebaldi.
Langhirano houses the Museo del Prosciutto e dei Salumi (Parma Ham and Salami Museum) of Parma inside the ex Foro Boario, offering a visiting trip that allows visitors to watch the production of the prized products that have made the municipality and the city of Parma famous in international culinary art. From the Langhirano hills it is possible to set off for long walks on the ridge dividing the valleys of the Parma and Baganza rivers, and also for pleasant mountain bike rides.

Matildic territory and ancient spa resort, Lesignano de’ Bagni is positioned exactly opposite Langhirano, whose influence it has been subject to even from an economic point of view, basing its development on the processing of cured ham. The gullies, the Barboj, are natural phenomena that make this a fascinating and very pleasant territory for those looking for a place where to admire nature and its evolutions and discover culinary art. The first mention of Lesignano de' Bagni can be found in a will dated August 1094. It was under the rule of the Visconti family from 1346 to 1447. Indeed it was Pier Maria Rossi who wanted to valorize the spa waters present at Lesignano by having its wells expurgated and its nursing home restored. In 1761, the whole territory of Lesignano was under the rule of Duke Sforza-Cesarini. After the decree of Napoleon I of 1805, the Lesignano estate became part of the Municipality of Parma. But the following year, Lesignano became a free municipality and, in 1837, it assumed its definitive name "Lesignano de' Bagni".

It is very likely that the first nucleus of the town of Montechiarugolo sprang up in the early Middle Ages between 900 and 950, following deforestation carried out in the area for the Augustinian monks of S. Felicola Abbey. During the first years of the new century, the Municipality witnessed an economic development based on agricultural mechanization and on the growth of industrial activities. In particular, the agri-food industry took root and the image of the area changed with the proliferation of the brick chimneys of the canning factories. Many of them were set up, few were destined to last a long time, of which we mention the Mutti company, which is still operating in Basilicanova.
In 1925, the discovery of spa waters at Monticelli by the Borrini family, and the consequent setting up of the thermal baths, was destined to add a new important element to the socio-economic structure of the territory and partially modify its vocation.

The territory is a certified organic oasis, a characteristic that further valorizes the already broad tourism offer of the area, which lets its grace and beauty burst in spring. A dense network of paths, suitable for trekking and for mountain biking or equestrian tourism, finds its point of excellence in the Provincial Park of Monte Fuso.
Today Neviano is a charming Apennine locality with a mainly agricultural economy. The cultivation of wheat, maize, barley, vines and chestnuts (Campora chestnuts are famous) is widespread. Cattle breeding, production of Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese and curing of "prosciutti" (hams) are important. On the territory, the local organic products of the Oasi biologica nevianese (Neviano organic oasis) can be tasted and purchased.

The built-up area, of ancient origins, owes the name Sala to the presence of a Lombard settlement, and Baganza to the name of a torrent on whose banks it has grown since 1862. The town indissolubly links its history with that of the Rocca Sanvitale fortress built in 1461 by the will of Stefano Sanvitale, but subject to interesting and at times devastating work carried out by the subsequent families that owned it. The building, for a long time the court residence of the Sanvitale family, was seized in 1612 by the Farnese family, which first made the architectural and decorative transformations that characterize the palace today, such as the creation of the eighteenth century Potager Garden. We can thank the duchess Maria Amalia of Habsburg, wife of Ferdinando Borbone, for the commissioning of two buildings that can still be seen, the neoclassic Oratorio dell’Assunta adjoining the Rocca (Fortress) and the Casino dei Boschi, in the heart of a wildlife sanctuary already owned by the Farnese family. The Casino, located inside the regional Park of Boschi di Carrega, was the central nucleus of the ducal hunting estate and summer residence of duchess Maria Luigia, who extended the building with the Casinetto, the court theatre. The Rocca (Fortress), its Garden and the Park are places open to the curiosity of tourists and enthusiasts. In our region you will find a Camper Area with facilities, Mountain Bike routes, cycle routes, horse riding routes; it will be possible to taste Parmigiano- Reggiano cheese, Parma Ham and Malvasia wine.

The Municipality of Tizzano Val Parma is located inside two picturesque nature reserves: the Regional Park of the Valli del Cedra e del Parma (Cedra and Parma River Valleys), whose highest point in the Municipality of Tizzano is the top of Monte Caio (1580 metres), and the Provincial Park of Monte Fuso (1117 metres). The uncontaminated nature offers visitors the chance to go trekking, horse riding and mountain biking and relax as they look at a unique landscape. On the slopes of Monte Caio, there is Schia, a renowned ski resort in winter and lively summer resort offering excursions, entertainment for small children, overnight stays and refreshment.
The salubrity of the mountain air has favoured the setting up and development of businesses producing excellent quality Parma Ham and Parmigiano Reggiano cheese.
Capoponte and Lagrimone are the two hamlets with the highest concentration of ham factories.
Must see places are the Romanesque parish churches: the Pieve di S. Pietro Apostolo located in Costa di Tizzano and the church of S. Giuliana in Moragnano. We also recommend the recently restored Tizzano Castle, which is used during the summer as a natural stage for important cultural musical and theatrical shows, the Torre di Lagrimone and, very picturesque, a visit to the tower of the Belvedere di Rusino on the top of Monte Fuso.