Saint Valentine at Bardi Castle

Saint Valentine in one of Italy's most evocative fortresses

Every year, for Saint Valentine's Day, Bardi Castle transforms into a fairytale setting to celebrate love. Located in the municipality of Bardi, in the province of Parma and in the heart of the Emilia-Romagna Apennines, the manor welcomes couples for a romantic evening of history and mystery. The initiative is part of the circuit of the Castles of the Duchy of Parma, Piacenza, and Pontremoli, which every February offers visits, dinners, and themed experiences in dozens of manors in the region.

A romantic sunset tour

The highlight of the event is an evening guided tour that accompanies participants in discovering the fortress during the most magical hour of the day. Visitors walk along the ramparts, panoramic towers, the parade ground, and the princely halls, while the sunset light bathes the stone walls. The tour culminates with a toast in the Soldier's Tavern and the creation of the "Couple's Magic Square," a symbolic ritual inspired by ancient traditions designed for lovers.

A thousand-year-old fortress

Bardi Castle stands on a spur of red jasper overlooking the confluence of the Ceno and Noveglia streams, one of the most extraordinary examples of military architecture in northern Italy. The first documented records date back to the 9th century; in 1257, the fortress passed to the Landi family, who transformed it into a princely residence over the centuries. The visit also explores the manor's darker areas: the dungeons, the torture chamber, the granaries, the ice house, and the well.

The legend of Moroello and Soleste

Bardi is also famous for its love legend. It is said that the ghost of the knight Moroello, commander of the castle's troops and madly in love with the beautiful Soleste, daughter of the castellan, still wanders within these walls: a tragic and impossible love story that makes the place perfect for Valentine's Day. It is this fusion of romance and mystery that makes the Valentine's Day evening a unique experience in the Emilian Apennines.

An experience for couples

• Evening guided tour at sunset in the fortress
• Toast in the Soldier's Tavern
• Creation of the "Couple's Magic Square"
• Atmosphere of history, legends, and Apennine panoramas

Booking is recommended due to limited availability. The initiative is part of the broader romantic weekend of the Castles of the Duchy, with candlelit dinners, night tours, and tastings of local products throughout the provinces of Parma, Piacenza, and Reggio Emilia.