Territoire
Podere Illica is located in the heart of the Grand Duchy of Parma and Piacenza, with its 23 castles. Equidistant (25 km) from the cities of the Duchy, it is a strategic departure point for visiting the fortresses and castles, following historical routes, some of which existed long before the Duchy. The Romans left many vestiges in this area such as Velleja Romana (22 km.) and Bobbio (35 Km.); the mediaeval period leads to Castell'Arquato (1 km), Vigoleno (10 km) Castelscipione (8 km), Vigolo Marchese (6 km) and Torrechiara (26 km), while the Renaissance and the Seventeenth century take the tourist to Fontanellato, Soragna (8 km), Roccabianca, San Secondo and the palace known as the Reggia di Colorno (28 km). Last but not least, the places were Verdi was born and lived – Busseto, Roncole Verdi, Sant'Agata – are only 15 km away. Parma and Piacenza bear witness to the area's historical and cultural wealth, from the Etruscans to the Republic (In Latin Piacenza means "the first-born").