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Piacenza

A stroll in the beautiful Piacenza valleys: Val Tidone between hills of vineyards, in the Val Trebbia, between the handles of a river that has broadened his reputation beyond national borders, in Arda, between hills, cliffs and ravines, erosions in Nure Valley, Valley from suggestive nature, offering routes routes in ancient times by mules laden with oil.

ARDA : Vineyards and castles: it's the Valley that occupies the eastern part of the territory of Piacenza, it borders the province of Parma and includes not only the course of Arda that torrents Ongina, Stirone, Castor and Chiavenna.

It develops from the Po to the Apennines between landscapes, hills covered with vineyards, picturesque hillside erosion of natural parks, Roman ruins, medieval, Renaissance cities and abbeys.

The eastern part of the Valley, crossed by the via Emilia was once used by medieval pilgrims along the route of the old Roman consular road, which coincided with that of the via Francigena, heading for the pilgrimage.

The top offers a street accompanied by hills, ravines and gullies, evidence of when during the sea lapped the slopes of the Apennines and Piocene we swam whales and fish, of which they were the remains in the blue-grey clay of the area.

° Rocca Viscontea di Castell’Arquato : Built by Luchino Visconti between 1342 and 1349, the stronghold is given to Scotti family in 1404, then to Filippo Visconti.

In 1466, it becomes property of Sforza until 1707, when it becomes part of the Duchy of Parma and Piacenza.

° Mastio e Borgo di Vigoleno: This castle dominates Vigoleno hamlet with its huge defensing system, perfect example of Middle Age's residential logic.

The mastio (fortified tower) stands, with its four floors, from the crenellated walls, that are partly a panoramic guarding walk.

You can also visit the fountain of 1500 in the hamlet's square and San Giorgio romanic church.

Vigoleno hamlet is famous for its elegance and its guarding system, that is still intact.

° Castello di Gropparello: the castle of Gropparello is immersed in the Green Val Vezzeno, over a spur of green serpentine, overlooking the Creek. With an irregular plan, a magnificent example of the art of fortification

° Castello di San Pietro in Cerro: Castle of San Pietro in Cerro: is located in territory of Piacenza on the border of the provinces of Parma and Cremona. The settlement Carpenter, built on the ruins of a more ancient, was founded in 1460 by Bartolomeo Grafters, Jurisconsult and Ambassador of Piacenza at the Court of Pope Julius II della Rovere.

° Castello di Paderna: is an elegant fortress, with large courtyard which preserves the Church of Santa Maria, with a Greek cross. The austere outline, solid walls, a moat still overflowing with water back through the centuries.

NURE – Unspoiled Nature

Visit this Valley means immersing oneself in a suggestive nature, rediscover routes that were once crossed by mules laden with oil of Genoese merchants and grain traders of Piacenza, surrounding mountain territory, getting confused yet teeming with local nobility, castles of stone houses akin to forts and mills.

In the Apennine area you can get lost among the tops interrupted by rocky cliffs, between meadows and forests rich in mushrooms and chestnuts, here are possible fascinating excursions to glacial lakes, unique in the richness of flora and fauna.

TREBBIA and LURETTA – light Landscapes and flavors

The wide Valley, which had always been of great importance for the outlet to Liguria, extend along the entire course of the Trebbia River that meanders for about 110 km.

While the lower area is traditionally devoted to viticulture, the upper Trebbia valley, on the border with Liguria, draw landscapes of rare beauty. In these places, where the waters of the River are still winding meanders, scroll among the rocks swimming drawing can be done outdoor sports, from simple hiking, canoeing, fishing.

° Castello di Rivalta: Rivalta Castle: The Castle of Rivalta mentioned in documents as early as the 14th century 1048, enters the domain of Landi, who still maintain the property with the branch of the counts Zanardi Landi.

It is possible to visit the yard, the main hall, the dining room, the copper kitchen, cellars, prisons, the bedrooms, the Tower, the Armory is dedicated to the battle of Lepanto, the Gallery, the billiard room, the Military Costume Museum, the Museum of sacred art.

° Rocca and Castello di Agazzano: Agazzano castle complex consists of two buildings and a large garden-terrace park overlooking the val Luretta. The rock represents a successful synthesis between medieval defensive architecture and elegance of the Renaissance stately home.

The Castello di Agazzano, now at the end of 1700 family summer residence, furnished with antique furniture: you can admire beautiful frescoes and valuable furnishings.

TIDONE – ancient flavours and fairytale castles

It is the westernmost Valley in the province of Piacenza, which divides the Emilia from that lombardo and is crossed by the stream of the same name. Because of its strategic location between the Po Valley and Lombardy, has been since ancient times a place of border and passing through, witnessed by protohistoric and Roman artefacts from the many castles and the strada Romea which passed through the Valley.

The Valley, spacious and sunny, with meadows and rolling hills covered with orchards and vineyards, Woods and pine forests in the upper part, promises peace and quiet and is ideal for naturalistic excursions.

° Malaspina Castle dal Verme di Bobbio: In 1360 Galeazzo Visconti gives the Malaspina Castle dal Verme to daughter-in-law Isabelle of France, wife of the son Gian Galeazzo. You will have to wait until 1436 to assist the castle the assets of accounts by the worm.

The current structure of the castle would seem to lead back to the will of his descendant, Pietro Dal Verme, who intervened in the mid-15th century.

° Rocca d'Olgisio: founded around the year 1000, in 1378 after different memberships, is delivered by Gian Galeazzo Visconti in Jacopo Dal Verme, brave winner of battle of Alexandria against Florence.

° Castello di Sarmato: seems to derive its origin from a settlement of Italy with the Lombards, sarmatic steppes peoples lowered into the middle of the sixteenth century.

Originally, the steps were fitted with deck and passerella drawbridges, as you can see from the joints still evident. In 1216 ascertained the existence of the Fort when the Piacenza Milanese militia, gathered, waiting to wage war on enemies pavesi. Sarmato Castle, together with those of Castel San Giovanni and Bam, one of the most important outposts established by the Guelphs of Piacenza in Val Tidone, defense against the Ghibelline party.

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