Bardi Fortress

Description

The Fortress of Bardi stands on a bare rock of red jasper and seems to imperiously dominate the valley below. Thanks to the enormous steep walls, the fortress built in the IX century looks ready to defend an impregnable military base still today.

The construction of the architectural complex of the fortress of Bardi, the most famous near Parma, took several centuries. In the year 898 this fort passed to the Bishop of Piacenza. He turned the Castle into an indestructible fortress and an example of military architecture in the region of Emilia Romagna. It all began with the single tower of Bardi that for centuries was continually surrounded by other buildings, until the entire square on top of the rock was covered with buildings. In the sixteenth century the fortress lost its function of military building and became a well-known noble palace.

Today the fortress of Bardi is opened to tourists, who can walk along the inaccessible walls, admire the barracks, the chapel, homes and also the torture room.

Main information

Parking address: Bardi, Italia (center of the village).
Distance from Parma: 62 km / 38 miles.
How to get there: By car (1 hour and 15 minutes). Use this site for car rental as public transport does not reach this location.
Cost in 2024: €6 / $6.90 (€3.50 / $4 for children from 7 to 14 years).
The time it takes for the visit: little more than an hour.
Places of interest nearby: the Compiano Castle (further away from Parma), the Castle of Varano de' Melegari (along the road).

Opening times (2024)

March: Saturday from 2pm to 5pm, Sunday and holidays from 10am to 6pm.
April and May: weekdays from 2pm to 5pm, weekends and public holidays from 10am to 7pm.
June: weekdays from 2pm to 7pm, weekends and public holidays from 10am to 7pm.
July: every day from 10am to 7pm.
August: weekdays from 2pm to 7pm, weekends and public holidays from 10am to 8pm.
September: weekdays from 2pm to 7pm, weekends and public holidays from 10am to 7pm.
October: Thursday and Friday from 2pm to 5pm, weekends and public holidays from 10am to 6pm.
November: weekends and public holidays from 10am to 5pm.
December, January and February: Closed.

We recommend that you check the information by phone +39 0525733021 or e-mail Info@castellodibardi.it, because sometimes the fortress is used for weddings.