Fornovo di Taro

Fornovo di Taro is a small town in Parma province situated where the Po Valley plain meets the surrounding hills. The settlement features narrow streets lined with historic stone buildings and is centered around the Pieve di Santa Maria Assunta, an 11th-century Romanesque church containing sculptures and carvings from the Antelami school.

The town developed as a stop along the Via Francigena, a major medieval pilgrimage route to Rome, establishing its role as a strategic resting point for travelers. The name Fornovo is also associated with a significant battle in 1495 when Italian forces fought against the army of Charles VIII of France.

The main square serves as the gathering place where residents maintain local traditions through seasonal celebrations and community events. Music and food are central to how locals express and preserve their cultural identity.

The town is best reached by car via the clearly marked state road from Parma, or by regional buses and train from Parma, which takes about 25 minutes. The compact size makes walking the main way to explore, with level streets and straightforward navigation suitable for all visitors.

The Ettore Guatelli Museum displays handcrafted everyday objects from past eras, allowing visitors to understand rural life through tangible artifacts. The Monte Prinzera Nature Reserve nearby features distinctive ophiolitic rock formations and rare plant and animal species found nowhere else in the region.