back to top

Piacenza

The City of 100 Churches and 100 Castles truly exists: its name is Piacenza. It is always a pleasure to go for a walk and marvel at the city’s royal palace, Palazzo Farnese. In its halls, where Margaret of Parma would hold magnificent balls, today you can visit the City Museums, including the Museum of Coaches. In Piazza Cavalli, dominated by the medieval Palazzo Gotico, you can almost feel the wind gently caressing the cheeks of the Farnese Dukes as they ride their stone steeds. Fancy some thrill? Try climbing to the top of the 20-metre Dome of the Basilica of Santa Maria di Campagna, frescoed by painter Pordenone (virtual tour), and reaching the top of the Dome of the Cathedral, frescoed by painter Guercino (virtual tour). After getting your fill of modern art at Galleria Ricci Oddi, you can head for the Trebbia Valley and visit the mystical hamlet of Bobbio, crossed by the Via Francigena (video). Hungry? Make sure to try some local cold cuts and tortelli con la coda, fresh pasta stuffed with ricotta cheese and spinach and folded into a cocoon-like shape. And don’t forget to enjoy some good Gutturnio red wine.