Antica Corte Pallavicina, Medieval palace and restaurant in Polesine Parmense, Italy
Antica Corte Pallavicina is a fortified residence standing on the Po River bank, featuring thick stone walls, barrel-vaulted rooms, and a kitchen with Michelin recognition serving local dishes. The building holds guest rooms, a museum dedicated to meat aging, and cellars where cured products mature under specific conditions.
Founded in 1450 as a customs checkpoint by the Pallavicino family, the structure later housed troops before transforming into a food-focused venue. The surrounding area developed into a center for meat curing in the 1800s, shaping what the place has become today.
The museum inside displays traditional meat preparation methods that are still practiced locally, reflecting the deep connection between this place and regional food craftsmanship.
Dining requires advance reservations and the kitchen focuses on regional cooking styles rather than fine dining formality. Overnight stays and cooking workshops are available, and the location is easily reached on foot from the nearby village.
The cellars beneath rely on natural moisture rising from the nearby Po River to create ideal conditions for storing thousands of aged hams. This environmental advantage cannot be artificially replicated elsewhere, making the location naturally suited to the curing process.
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