Podere Palazzo Illica is an ancient 17th-century palace that belonged to Diogene Illica, father of Luigi Illica (librettist for Puccini, Bellini, and Mascagni). Throughout the centuries, it has remained intact in its architectural structures, interior spaces, and furnishings. Palazzo Illica is a rectangular building made of brick and sandstone that was transformed into a villa in the 19th century. It belonged to Luigi Illica's family, from whom it takes its name.
The complex is located at the foot of the hill called Monte Rosso, in front of the fortified village of Castell'Arquato. The picturesque landscape of the Arquatesi Badlands, with its gentle hills covered in vineyards and oak forests, surrounds the ancient buildings. These structures were strategically built in this privileged position compared to the plain, but easily accessible.
The farmhouses were annexed in the 19th and early 20th centuries, forming a closed village layout that best describes the Arquatesi estate as it appears today. Two perpendicular buildings (Il Palazzo and Le Stalle, now known as Corte Magnolia) define the courtyard, surrounded by the farmhouses that frame the entire complex.
The adjacent area is occupied by the historic Garden and Park, as well as spaces dedicated to horse breeding. The guest parking is located among the green paddocks where the show jumping horses move calmly.
In the morning, you can enjoy a delicious breakfast made with local ingredients, served with joy from 7:45 to 10:30. If you are early risers or prefer to sleep a little longer, you can request an early or slightly later breakfast, tailored to your needs.
The spacious ancient hall, with a double-height ceiling, is divided by solid brick arches and Arda stones. It has been transformed into a dining room, accessible through two symmetrical entrances in relation to the main facade. Here you will be welcomed in a warm and pleasant environment, typically Emilian, where every stone of the precious walls has a centuries-old story to tell.
The furniture is well-kept, sober and elegant, with the aim of offering a pleasant culinary experience. You can enjoy the dishes respecting the time dedicated to convivial moments, which we wish to offer to our guests today.
Our team takes care of every aspect of catering with passion and attention to quality. The chef is the creator of the delicious dishes that you will have the pleasure of savoring, always different depending on the seasons, in the characteristic environment of Locanda Illica.
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Podere Palazzo Illica is located in the heart of the Italian food valley: 30 km from Parma and Piacenza, 80 km from Milan, 150 km from Bologna and Genoa. Within an hour's drive, you can also reach the art cities of Pavia, Cremona and Mantua, as well as the picturesque towns of Soragna, Fontanellato and Colorno. The thermal baths of Salsomaggiore Terme and Tabiano Bagni, as well as the castles of Vigoleno and Castell'Arquato, are less than 10 km away.
The airports of Milan Linate, Bergamo Orio al Serio and Parma can all be reached within an hour's drive. The beautiful beaches of Versilia and the Cinque Terre can easily be reached via the Parma-Mare highway, taking about 1 hour and 30 minutes.
