Things to Do and See in Piacenza

Piacenza, the capital of the province of the same name, is a city of art rich in artistic treasures from various historical periods. Starting with Piazza dei Cavalli, home to the Palazzo Comunale (also known as the Palazzo Gotico), and Piazza del Duomo, where the Romanesque cathedral stands out. Among the religious buildings are the Church of San Sisto and the Church of Sant’Antonino; while notable civil buildings include the neoclassical Teatro Municipale dedicated to Verdi—which resembles a miniature “La Scala”—and the imposing Palazzo Farnese, built in the second half of the 16th century and now home to the Civic Museums. Don’t miss the Ricci Oddi Gallery of Modern Art, which offers a comprehensive overview of Italian figurative art beginning in the second half of the 19th century. Elsewhere in the province, the valleys serve as a backdrop to fascinating medieval villages rich in history and art. Starting with the Trebbia Valley, home to Bobbio—a town that grew up around the Abbey of San Colombano and is famous for its picturesque Ponte Gobbo. Also worth visiting are the Basilica of San Colombano, the Cathedral, and the Castle. In the Val Nure, don’t miss the village of Grazzano Visconti, built entirely in the 19th century in the Neo-Gothic style. Finally, in the Val d’Arda, Castell’Arquato is worth noting for its rich historic center dominated by the Palazzo Pretorio and the 14th-century fortress. There are numerous medieval castles, including the Rocca di Castell’Arquato and the castles of Gropparello, Paderna, Rivalta, and Rocca d’Olgisio. Meanwhile, in the town of Sant’Agata di Villanova sull’Arda, don’t miss Villa Verdi, the residence that once hosted the great composer Giuseppe Verdi.