The relationship between Casalmaggiore and the river Po has been very important during the centuries. All the ancient images, from vintage prints to the XIX century Teatro Comunale’s velarium, show the town overlooking directly to the river.
The museum route opens with a work that depicts a close-up of the river Po, seen by the Parma side: it is a 18th-century print by Marc’Antonio del Re, an artist who created a lot of graphic evidence of locations, people and events of the Duchy of Milan. The print illustrates the elegant bridge built specifically for Maria Isabella of Spain, the Duke of Parma’s daughter, and for her procession passage to Vienna, where she married Joseph II, future Emperor of Austria (1760).
The Habsburg Monarchy was interested in Casalmaggiore’s strategic position and chose the town for the ceremony of delivering the bride. Coming from Colorno, she arrived in Casalmaggiore after having crossed the Po on a pontoon bridge. In front of Casalmaggiore there was a small island: here the bridge stopped and the path continued on a gangway mounted on spiling, passing through a temporary arch made with wood.
A walling arch was built at the arrival point on the mainland. It is the only XVIII century arch survived to demolition and still exists in the Po shore area, although nowadays the rise of the bank gives a different perspective from how it originally was the first entry point from the river to the town. The ceremony Sparked an interest of unusual magnitude: more than 10.000 people arrived in Casalmaggiore from Austria and the Duchy of Milan; many of the guests were prestigious figures and, after long preparations, the celebration lasted for 3 days. Many of the receptions took place in the noble palaces; however, since the public and private equipment available were not considered able to rise to the occasion, temporary halls were installed, as well as the Princess’s furniture for her accommodation was transported directly from Milan.
