Situated on the first hills that herald the Apennines, on the borders of the provinces of Parma and Piacenza, it dominates the Stirone and Piacenziano Regional Park, a landscape of extreme scenic beauty.
At its feet, to ask for protection, a small medieval village that takes its name from the castle.
Absolutely to visit without forgetting to walk around the village and turn your gaze to 360° which, on clear days, can range over the Po Valley to the distant Alps.

A short history:
The castle is one of the oldest of the region, built by the Pallavicino marquises in 11th century, also as a defence of the many salt pits of which the Pallavicino were the leading producers and market controllers.
It was rebuilt in 1477 by the brothers Lodovico and Giovanni Pallavicino, adopting the most up-to-date defences of the time.
Except a short period, the castle always belonged to the family.
Ant that short period caused more damages than the wars against Piacenza or against the Guelphs.
The History of the village is indissoluble from the castle.

A curiosity:
The legend tells that the castle rises on the ruins of the ancient Roman villa of Gneo Scipione, and from that derives its name.
Maybe the legend is true: the Roman Veleia is near and the Via Emilia is closer too.

For more info:
castelli del ducato
scipione