Where it is

Located in the heart of the Po Valley, Piacenza lies on the right bank of the Po River, just 67 km from Milan. The terminus of the ancient Via Emilia, the city is located in the northernmost and westernmost part of the Emilia-Romagna region.

Why visit it

In this quiet provincial city, the tranquility of life and the pleasures of good food are complemented by small treasures, reminders of a rich history, such as its Cathedral, the Gothic Palace, and the Palazzo Farnese. Not to mention all the splendid noble palaces, numerous churches, and the narrow streets of the city center, which, while seemingly austere, always conceal unexpected surprises.

Certainly, in addition to the Piazza del Duomo and Piazza dei Cavalli—the latter a symbol of the city with its two equestrian statues by Mochi against the backdrop of the Palazzo Gotico—the Romanesque Basilica of Sant'Antonino, a pilgrim's stop on the Via Francigena, with the Gates of Paradise; the Church of Santa Maria di Campagna, which houses, among other works, frescoes by Pordenone; and the Basilica of San Savino, with its 12th-century mosaics depicting the cycle of the months.

Among the many landmarks that can be found along the streets of the historic city center, the Church of San Sisto, deliberately hidden from view, reveals a wealth of frescoes, wrought iron, and 18th-century decorations, while the Municipal Theater, dedicated to Verdi and designed by Lotario Tomba, presents itself as a veritable mini-La Scala.

You can't leave Piacenza without visiting the Ricci Oddi Modern Art Gallery, which offers a comprehensive overview of Italian figurative art from the second half of the 19th century onward. Gustav Klimt's Portrait of a Lady returned to the exhibition in November 2020.

Finally, special mention should be made of the splendid Vignola-style Palazzo Farnese complex, which houses the Palazzo Farnese Civic Museums, with the Etruscan liver and Botticelli's Tondo, and the Alberoni Gallery, with Antonello da Messina's Ecce Homo.

On the table

Not everyone knows that Piacenza is a true "food valley," boasting the highest concentration of D.O.P. and D.O.C. cured meats, cheeses, and wines in Italy. Authentic food and wine delicacies await you: coppa, salami, pancetta, cooked ham, and Grana Padano; Pissaréi e fasö (a type of pasta with beans), anolini (a type of pasta with a tail), tortelli con la coda (a type of pasta with rice), and piccula ad cavall (a type of pasta with a horse tail). All accompanied by wines strictly from Piacenza, including the red Gutturnio.

Nearby

From Piacenza, you can easily reach the magnificent network of Castles of the Duchy of Parma and Piacenza, open to the public, that characterize the Piacenza area. Or the neo-Gothic village of Grazzano Visconti (about 20 km away), which offers a true journey into the past. Among the art-filled villages, a visit to Castell'Arquato (35 km) and ancient Bobbio (an award-winning village 45 km away) are not to be missed.