Photographic Memories of Piacenza: Touring the Town and Eating with New Friends!

Exploring Piacenza

Piacenza is a very welcoming city, home to picturesque landscapes, deep culture and history, and wonderful food.

In our free time, our wonderful hosts showed us the beauty of Travo and Bobbio, both situated in Piacenza. There we were able to soak in the majesty of the spectacular scenery, witness the grandeur of centuries-old churches, observe the architecture of some ancient castles, and experience the exciting hustle bustle of the afternoon markets.

Our first stop was Castillo di Rivalta!

The oldest parts of the castle were built in the early 10th century - the oldest tower featured below. The castle and surrounding hamlet are now owned by Count Zenardi Landi who lives on the site. The count's flag flies when they are in, just like the Queen in Buckingham Palace!

We then visited the Centre of Piacenza where we saw the Palazzo Farnese, Basilica di Sant Antonino the Piazza Cavalli and the Cathedral. 

 Piazza Cavalli is in the Centre of the city and is the political and historical centre of the city. Built in the 1300's during the construction of the Gothic Palace and is as old as the San Francesco Church opposite. 

Find out more HERE

The Cathedral was built in the 12th Century and features frescos by Morrazone and Guerchino - the cathedral also features some pieces of frescos rescued from other churches in the province. 

These have been carefully preserved in partial form due to their age and the fragile nature of buildings. 

The palace is built on a former 13th Century fortress and was commissioned in 1556 by the wife of Duke Ottavio Farnese, Duke of Castro and Parma. The palace is partially built, having never been finished. The building was designed by Francesco Pachiotti and architect Giacomo Barozzi and was completed in 1602. 

The building fell into disrepair after the death of the last Farnese Duke in 1731 and was restored in the 20th Century. I can now be visited as a museum.

Camilo and Giulia are descended from the family of Duke Farnese and Giulia has a ring that belonged to the Dutchess, passed down in her family

To find out more about Palazzo Farnese and view museum opening times, visit the website HERE

Eating in Eataly 

Lunch at Pasquale's was a real treat. The food there was impeccable. There are no words to describe the starters, numerous mains and refreshing desserts. These pictures say it all. And what can get better than eating lunch at Pasquale's? Eating twice in two days, of course!

Eating in Italy is an event in itself. You will eat your main in the early afternoon, around 1.30pm and continue on until 3.00pm. We first visited Pasquale's on Day 2 of our visit to Piacenza and met some wonderful new friends - James Runcie and his wonderful wife Marilyn, Mikaela Bley and her partner Dag as well as Camilo, Giulia, Valeria and Seba. We began with bruschetta and pizza, which was swept up with great enthusiasm by our party. We followed with a seafood lunch of clams, muscles with spaghetti and finished our meal with some gelato. We were treated to delicious local wine from the region, which came out cool, fresh and lightly sparkling.

On our second day, we began again with pizza and bruschetta and followed with potato pasta shells, salad, and a lemon sorbet. Both were amazing and gave us a real taste of the Italian experience. Pasquale himself came to the table to greet, kiss and laugh with the party! 

"We just sit and eat and the world comes to us" - Marilyn Imrie