Taro River

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Taro
Course of the Taro.
Origin	Ligurian Apennines, Monte Penna
Mouth	Po near Gramignazzo (PR)
Basin countries	Italy
Length	126 km
Source elevation	c. 1,300 m
Avg. discharge	30 m³/s
Basin area	2,026 km²

The Taro is a 126 km-long river in northern Italy, tributary to the Po River. It flows almost entirely in the province of Parma, west of the city Parma. The Taro flows into the Po River north of Parma.

The Taro drainage basin occupies an area of 2,026 km²; the most important of its affluents are the Ceno, Recchio and Stirone streams. Both the Taro and Ceno spring from Monte Penna (1,735 m), located in the Apennine Mountains across the provinces of Genoa and Parma.

The river shows strong seasonal variabilities. In summer it can easily dry, while in rainy periods it can reach a discharge of 1000 m³/s: this value can even double in occasions (called Piene centennali, "Centennial floods"), like that of November 9, 1982.

The Taro at Borgotaro

The Taro Valley had a relevant strategical importance during the Middle Ages, being crossed by the Via Francigena, the main connection between Rome and France in that era.

20 km of the river course between Fornovo di Taro and Ponte Taro constites the protected area of the Taro Regional Natural Park, characterized by numerous islets of sand and gravel, as well as by a large variety of vegetation and fauna.

During the French conquest of Italy in the course of Napoleonic Wars, the river gave its name to a Départment (see Taro (département)).