The best traffic-free bike rides around Soragna

The patronage of this sanctuary, consecrated to the Madonna, refers to the place LORETO. This is one of the great and significant Marian pilgrimage sites in Europe, along with LOURDES in the French Pyrenees and FATIMA in Portugal. In contrast to the other two mentioned places, Loreto is not known for apparitions of the Mother of God. Here, pilgrims can be shown something very tangible: Mary's childhood home in Nazareth (Israel). Her parents – who are not named in the biblical scriptures of the New Testament – are mentioned in apocryphal traditions: Saint ANNA and Saint JOACHIM are thus the grandparents of Jesus Christ (their common feast day in the liturgical calendar is July 26th). Probably, Crusaders, as the era of the Christian kingdoms in the Holy Land came to an end towards the end of the 13th century, dismantled the building revered in Nazareth and transported it to Europe. However, this very sober assumption is contrasted by a much more interesting legend: According to it, four angels carried out the translation and flew the house across the Mediterranean.

A scenic finish line. Beautiful climbs and descents on both sides. A must-do for everyone on your tours.

The Sanctuary of Santa Lucia is a Catholic place of worship with Baroque architecture, located on Via Santa Lucia in Santa Lucia, a hamlet of Medesano, in the province and diocese of Parma. It is the seat of a parish in the pastoral area of Pedemontana. HISTORY The original place of worship was built in the Middle Ages; the earliest evidence of its existence dates back to 1354, when the Ecclesia Sancte Lucie de Varano Marchionum was mentioned in the Ratio Decimarum of the diocese of Parma among the dependencies of the church of San Giorgio Martire of Varano dei Marchesi, within the jurisdiction of the parish of Fornovo. In 1565, the temple was rebuilt. On May 13, 1607, the church was solemnly consecrated by the Bishop of Fidenza, Giovanni Giorgio Linati, and two years later it was elevated to the status of an independent parish church. Between 1731 and 1794, the place of worship was completely rebuilt in Baroque style; the rectory was also built adjacent to it. On October 21, 1952, the church was elevated to the status of a diocesan sanctuary dedicated to the virgin and martyr Saint Lucy. Around 1960, the church underwent restoration work. SOURCE and other information: https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santuario_di_Santa_Lucia_(Medesano)

https://tabianoterme.it/arte-e-cultura/castello-di-tabiano/

Originally built between the 10th and 11th centuries, the castle was rebuilt in 1153 and expanded several times in the following centuries. With the exception of a few brief periods in the 12th and 14th centuries, the Pallavicino marquises maintained it almost uninterruptedly until their extinction in 1756. Assigned to the Sermattei family, the manor was purchased a few years later by the Landi cousins. Sold in 1882 to the Corazza family, the manor was renovated and transformed into an elegant stately home, rich in frescoes and stucco decorations. Since the early 21st century, the building, along with the surrounding village, has been used as a scattered hotel, with an adjoining farm. SOURCE: https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tabiano_Castello

Very nice square to visit, full of history and services in the area

If you have a little more time it is certainly worth stopping to visit the very beautiful courtyard, always full of modern sculptures to admire. You can also stop at the bistro to taste excellent food or make small purchases of some typical products of the area. You can continue on gravel or MTB passing behind the courtyard along a small road that will then reconnect to the bank of the Po to observe the fauna and vegetation a little more closely. If wet the ground in some places could be quite muddy.

From this dirt road under the main embankment of the Po, between Polesine and Zibello, in the Bassa parmense, you can enjoy a great view of the longest river in Italy. Here nature is truly uncontaminated and you can pedal away from motorized traffic.