Castell'Arquato

Castell'Arquato
Comune di Castell'Arquato
Collegiata church.
Collegiata church.
Coat of arms of Castell'Arquato
Location of Castell'Arquato
Map
Castell'Arquato is located in Italy
Castell'Arquato
Castell'Arquato
Location of Castell'Arquato in Italy
Castell'Arquato is located in Emilia-Romagna
Castell'Arquato
Castell'Arquato
Castell'Arquato (Emilia-Romagna)
Coordinates: 44°51′N 9°52′E / 44.850°N 9.867°E / 44.850; 9.867
CountryItaly
RegionEmilia-Romagna
ProvincePiacenza (PC)
FrazioniBacedasco Alto, Doppi, Pallastrelli, Sant'Antonio, San Lorenzo, Vigolo Marchese
Government
 • MayorIvano Rocchetta
Area
 • Total52 km2 (20 sq mi)
Elevation
224 m (735 ft)
Population
 (30 June 2017)[2]
 • Total4,659
 • Density90/km2 (230/sq mi)
DemonymArquatese
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code
29014
Dialing code0523
WebsiteOfficial website

Castell'Arquato (Italian pronunciation: [kaˌstɛllarˈkwaːto]; Piacentino: Castél Arquä or Castél Arcuà) is an Italian town located on the first hills of Val D’Arda in the province of Piacenza, in Emilia-Romagna, approximately 30 kilometres (19 mi) from Piacenza and 35 kilometres (22 mi) from Parma. Places nearby include Bacedasco, Vigolo Marchese, Fiorenzuola d'Arda, Lugagnano Val d'Arda, and Vernasca. It is one of I Borghi più belli d'Italia ("The most beautiful villages of Italy").[3]

A medieval town of traditional structure which has maintained its appearance as it was in the early 10th century, the Old Town of Castell'Arquato is a high rock which in other times was strategically important for dominating the valley, now surrounded by the village. Its picturesque medieval features have led to the burg's appearances in movies such as Ladyhawke.

Opera librettist Luigi Illica, known for his long collaboration with composer Giacomo Puccini, but also with Alfredo Catalani and Umberto Giordano and author of the libretti of such operas as Tosca, La bohème, Madama Butterfly, La Wally and Andrea Chénier, was born in the borough in 1857 and is here buried.

Castell'Arquato is also in the area of the Colli Piacentini (Piacenza Hills), an important area for wine production. The most important wines produced in the Colli Piacentini are Gutturnio, Bonarda, Ortrugo, Malvasia, and Monterosso Val d'Arda.

  1. ^ "Superficie di Comuni Province e Regioni italiane al 9 ottobre 2011". Italian National Institute of Statistics. Retrieved 16 March 2019.
  2. ^ "Popolazione Residente al 1° Gennaio 2018". Italian National Institute of Statistics. Retrieved 16 March 2019.
  3. ^ "Emilia Romagna" (in Italian). Retrieved 31 July 2023.