Piacenza | Emilia’s Superb Historic Heritage

 

Piacenza | Emilia’s Superb Historic Heritage

 

Piacenza, magnificent northern gateway to the Emilia Romagna  region located on the right bank of the Po river and at the mouth of the Trebbia in the heart of the Po Valley, a short distance from the picturesque Piacenza Hills immediately close to the Ligurian Apennines.

A city of great historical and commercial importance with a unique gastronomic panorama, linked to noble and ancient traditions, boasting a simply superlative artistic-monumental heritage.

Piacenza is also known historically for being the first Roman colony in Northern Italy when it was founded in 218 BC.

In the Middle Ages, the Emilian city was the protagonist of golden years and a flourishing development within the Duchy of Parma with which it shared the title of capital during the splendour and dawn of the influential Farnese dynasty.

I suggest starting the visit from the central, fascinating and monumental Piazza Cavalli, the nerve center and beating heart of the provincial capital of Emilia.

This beautiful, large, urban space takes its name from the two bronze sculptures depicting two horses ridden by the legendary, noble leader Alessandro Farnese and his son Ranuccio.

These two figures belonged to that noble dynasty that made the fortune of this city, which was elected in 1545 with Parma as the capital of an influential Duchy.

On this very large square you can admire the majestic Gothic Palace erected in 1281 at the behest of the Ghibelline governor Alberto Scoto, a pompous and imposing building that boasts a very refined portico and a splendid crenellated upper section in terracotta.

Continuing with the nearby Church of San Francesco,  a masterpiece in Gothic-Lombard style dating back to the twelfth century with perfect lines extraordinarily following the master architectural canons of that period on whose façade stand out very outlined buttresses and a wonderful rose window.

Continuation with the iconic Palazzo Farnese dating back to the 16th century designed by the architect Jacopo Barozzi known as "Il Vignola" at the behest of Duke Ottavio Farnese.

This superlative, massive structure built on three floors as if to exalt power and in a certain way grandeur is now home to the Archaeological Museum.

In one of its rooms there is the famous and peculiar "Etruscan Liver" and the well-known Pinacoteca which houses the famous tondo by Botticelli next to a rich collection of artistic masterpieces from different periods.

 

Continue with the beautiful Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta and Santa Giustina, considered one of the shining architectural jewels of the entire Emilia Romagna.

This sublime work of medieval art of the twelfth century respects in its development the geometries and architectural order of the pure Italic Romanesque.

The gabled façade in sandstone and pink Veronese marble is simply stunning, where every detail is harmoniously placed in an extraordinarily balanced layout.

The Latin cross interior contains great works of art such as incomparable frescoes by unforgettable masters, namely Procaccini, Carracci, Morazzone and Guercino.

Of immense historical value is the crypt in the shape of a Greek cross that boasts 108 Romanesque columns, a funerary space that preserves the relics of Santa Giustina.

Time for your lunch, I suggest staying in the traditional an appetizer with Coppa DOP, Salame Gentile, Pancetta della Val Tidone and Culatello.

Among the first courses you can choose between Tortelli stuffed with ricotta, spinach and Grana Padano or Rice Cake Bobbiese. 

Among the second courses you can choose between Stuffed Veal Pocket or Cooked Salami with Potato Puree.  

The hills of Piacenza produce excellent wines, an excellent choice of wines such as Gutturnio, Ortrugo and many others.

At the end of your delicious lunch, the visit can continue with another artistic highlight such as the Basilica of San Savino, consecrated in 1107, although it had a radical change by changing its typically Romanesque appearance to a sober, orderly Baroque after various restorations.

The visit of the interior will show an incomparable mosaic floor with representations of the signs of the zodiac and the months and then continue with the crypt of the four Saints where you can appreciate a beautiful wooden crucifix of the twelfth century placed on the high altar.

The next stop will be the beautiful Basilica of Sant' Antonino, dating back to the fourth century, dedicated to the patron saint of Piacenza, highlighted by an extraordinary gabled façade in which stands a spectacular rose window and on one side an imposing bell tower erected on an octagonal plan.

Inside there are artistic masterpieces in the attic of the central nave with a cycle of frescoes dating back to the same period.

In this religious site in 1183 the famous Peace of Constance  was signed, which sanctioned the truce between the Emperor Frederick Barbarossa and the Lombard League.

During the visit you will notice the presence of various stately buildings such as Palazzo Mandelli, Palazzo Landi, Palazzo Scotti, Palazzo Costa and Palazzo Somaglia that represented the aristocratic soul of Piacenza, a tangible mark that identifies the glorious past.

The last stop of the visit is the outskirts of the city where stands the wonderful Basilica of Santa Maria in Campagna , an excellent example of architecture of the 1600s.

This religious complex with elegant shapes and fine details especially in its pediment, contains valuable frescoes by Pordenone next to others of the fine Emilian school.

The visit could be said to be over, discovering Piacenza with its sublime historical heritage is a wonderful tourist experience, a city that in its essence always leaves happy memories.

 

Link : https://visitpiacenza.it/en/

 

Where to Stay | Recommended Hotels

Best Western Park Hotel -  https://www.parkhotelpiacenza.it/

Grande Albergo Roma - https://www.grandealbergoroma.it/