Antica Corte Pallavicina: The Cradle of Culatello

Imagine stepping into a misty land where time seems to stand still.

The Po River's fog wraps around the countryside, blurring the boundary between past and present.

And in the heart of this landscape lies Antica Corte Pallavicina, a place where history, craftsmanship, and gastronomy blend seamlessly.

Here, deep within the 700-year-old cellars, the world’s finest culatello di Zibello DOP patiently matures, kissed by the elements and guarded by the skilled hands of Massimo Spigaroli.

A castle, a farm, and a Culatello cathedral: the history of Antica Corte Pallavicina

From noble glory to rural decline

Built in 1320, Antica Corte Pallavicina was once a prestigious court belonging to the Marquises Pallavicino, one of Italy’s most influential noble families.

This was a time when the Po River was a highway of commerce, bringing prosperity to these lands.

In the 18th century, however, everything changed. Duchess Marie Louise of Parma—wife of Napoleon—stationed her guards here to control river trade, lowering the towers and altering the court’s purpose. Over time, it was divided into peasant dwellings, gradually sinking into abandonment.

Then, nature took over. The Po River shifted its course, flooding the court and leaving it in ruins. It seemed destined to disappear, a forgotten relic swallowed by the land.

But all it needed was a visionary—a patient hand to dust off the past and bring it back to life.

The man who revived Antica Corte Pallavicina: Massimo Spigaroli

A chef, a farmer, a keeper of tradition

Meet Massimo Spigaroli.
If you expect a flamboyant celebrity chef, you’ll be disappointed.
He is not the kind of person who enjoys the spotlight.

With piercing eyes behind thick glasses and a demeanor of quiet intensity, he exudes a mix of authority, passion, and precision.

You won’t find him posing for selfies in the dining room. Instead, you might catch him near the kitchen, rolling out pasta or checking the aging culatelli in his cellar.

From humble beginnings to Michelin Stars

Born into a family of farmers and butchers, Massimo grew up with his hands in the soil and his mind in the kitchen.
As a young man, he honed his craft in the best restaurants in Italy and France, refining his skills before returning home.

In 1990, the Spigaroli family bought the ruins of Antica Corte Pallavicina and started an ambitious restoration project.

Decades later, it is now an agriturismo, a Michelin-starred restaurant, and a temple of traditional Italian charcuterie.

Today, Massimo raises rare black pigs, cultivates forgotten recipes, and elevates food from subsistence to artistry at Cavallino Bianco, one of the finest Michelin-starred restaurants in Bologna.

An experience beyond food: visiting Antica Corte Pallavicina

The Culatello cathedral: a cellar like no other

Stepping into the aging cellar of Antica Corte Pallavicina is like entering a forest of hanging meats.

Hundreds of culatelli, wrapped in twine, dangle from wooden beams, their surfaces covered in a delicate layer of white mold—a testament to time and patience.

The scent is intoxicating: a mix of earth, fermentation, and a promise of something extraordinary.

Massimo Spigaroli himself might be there, meticulously checking each piece, his hands moving with the certainty of a craftsman who knows every nuance of his product.

Michelin-Starred dining in an ancient court

Beyond the cellar, Cavallino Bianco, Spigaroli’s Michelin-starred restaurant, awaits.

The menu is a celebration of Emilia-Romagna, featuring not only culatello but also handmade tortelli, rare pork breeds, and forgotten peasant recipes turned into fine dining.

Every dish tells a story, and every bite carries centuries of knowledge.

Stay the night: a journey through time

For those who wish to fully immerse themselves in this world, Antica Corte Pallavicina offers a handful of elegantly restored rooms.

Imagine waking up to the sound of the river, stepping outside to mist-covered fields, and enjoying a farm-to-table breakfast of freshly baked bread, homemade jams, and, of course, culatello.

It’s not just a visit.
It’s a pilgrimage for food lovers.

How to experience Antica Corte Pallavicina yourself

Antica Corte Pallavicina
Strada Palazzo due Torri, 3, 43010 Polesine Parmense PR
Tel. 0524 936539
www.anticacortepallavicinarelais.it

Final thoughts: a legacy of passion and patience

No kings are born in these foggy lowlands.
Only thoughtful, hardworking people who respect the land and extract the best from what nature offers.

And thanks to them, the art of culatello lives on.

Want to experience the best of Parma’s food culture?

• 🍷 Join our Parma Food Tour and explore the region’s most iconic flavors.
• 🍝 Learn to make fresh pasta in our Parma Cooking Class and master the secrets of anolini and tortelli d’erbetta.

Book your experience today and taste the authentic flavors of Emilia-Romagna!