The Hunting Palace in Carrega’s woods is located within the “Boschi of Carrega Regional Park located in Sala Baganza, a short distance from Parma …
The Villa
It consist of several buildings dating back to the 18th and 19th centuries. It was built by the Duchess Maria Amalia di Borbone in 1775 by the brilliant court architect Petitot, but the present appearance is due to Maria Luisa of Austria Grand Duchess of Parma who bought it in 1819 and commissioned architect Bettola to renovate the complex in neoclassical style and also created a beautiful English garden by the famous gardener of the Barvitius period.
Today, unfortunately, the Villa and entire parts of the complex are in a state of neglect and total degradation and would need an important intervention of recovery, consolidation and restructuring. There was a project proposed by the FAI in 2015 supported also by the possible free transfer of the shares of the private property of the princes Carrega di Lucedio, but at the present state of things we don’t know about the future for this splendid building.
How to reach the Hunting Palace
The entire complex is easily reachable from Sala Baganza following the indications for the Boschi di Carrega, about a couple of kilometers you will find the parking lot in front of a restaurant and once back on the main road you can go to the Hunting Palace both turning right and on the left… Perhaps the itinerary on your right is more evocative, proceed until you meet a gate with the entrance and a sort of old chalet on your side, from there proceed along the path and reach a sort of fork keep the path on the right, set off and suddenly the central structure of the complex will appear with the park in front of you.
The Boschi of Carrega Park and the Hunting Palace (Casino dei Boschi di Carrega) certainly worth a visit, as you wander among the narrow paths through the woods among the typical fauna of the hilly area and botanical enthusiasts will discover rare trees and flora, not native, planted over the past centuries to embellish and enrich this wonderful park.
Enjoy your walk!
