Posted by TABIANO CASTELLO
Our last stop in Emilia Romagna before heading back home was the lovely hotel attached to the original Castello on top of the highest hill in the region. The Antico Borgo Di Tabiano is part of the Reais de Charme group and is owned and run by the Corazza family who have owned the castle for over 150 years. The complex of suites, rooms, apartments and farm houses are set around the Borgo/village part of the Castello and are full of charm and authenticity, and the dining experiences were exceptional so we really finished this fabulous trip on a high.
The Resturant Il Casificio courtyard was the perfect place for the apperitivo and as the sun set the lighting added to its charm. the restaurant is located in the original Dairy factory and there plenty of original features and photos to paint the picture well.
We booked a massage and spa treatment in the Grotto Wellness Spa and enjoyed the pool set in the grounds on the side of the hill.
The Breakfast was a feast with all local produce on display to enjoy.
The second restaurant in the grounds Locanda Del Colle served a lovely lunch with a vibrant crowd on a saturday but it was at night where the true charm of the place came to the fore.
The Castello has its own church dating from the 1400’s and the grand marble arched entry was gifted to the community by the Duke at the time.
The Castello is home to the Carozza family but it is also used a lot for weddings and this grand staircase has featured in hundreds of amazing wedding and function photos. taking a tour of the Castle took us through the daily lives of the Corazza family and we bumped into a few along the way and often at dinner as well.
Rossa Corazza is seen here in the early 1900’s with her daughter when the castle was in its rebirth heyday as a centre of the arts and high society in the Parma region of Emila Romagna
So many stories of history and intrigue in the family tree on the ceiling of the dining room below, that it kept guests amused for hours. The dinner service was a gift from Queen Victoria and is in a very unique Black and White porcelain colour to make it a unique gift as most were always in blue and white.
The oldest building in the Borgo are the stables built around 1100 and still in use today.
SALSOMAGGIORE THERMAE
Way past its heyday of the early 1900’s and through to post war Italy it is now faded but about to go through a major restoration to bring the town and the Berzieri Thermae back to life. Located just 15 mins from Tabiano Castello the large town needs a serious make over but its bones are good and it will not take too much to get it buzzing again.
The Thermae building is gem of early 1900’s design and ingenuity, with its art decor/nouveau basis and mesopatamian and oriental features it really is a unique building. Covered in marble and glazed ceramic tiles the details are amazing and you could spend hours just admiring all the tabloids on display.
It is a massive complex and it will take a bit of effort to bring it back but it must happen and when it reopens i want to be there to see the amazing inside delights .
The Oriental water fountain outside the entry is a piece of pure folly with art Nouveau influence and a decided tilt to the water stations in Paris and Istanbul.
Another stunning building is the recently restored turn of the 20th century medieval style building with moorish influences that is now the tourist information centre . The Loggias and porticos along with the stenciled frescos and colour scheme are all orinal restorations.
