Things to do in Monticelli d'Ongina Italy – what to see attractions and activities

The Basilica of Santa Maria delle Grazie was founded at the end of 1480 by Giberto Manzi, and has a Latin cross project with three naves. Inside there is a polyptych of twelve plates, works by Filippo Mazzola, which in 1880 was decomposed due to renovations. In 2003, almost the entire work was rebuilt, except for two frescoes: San Cristoforo and Salvatore. On 3 May 2008 it became a basilica with a celebration official by Cardinal Angelo Sodano.

The Church of the Santissima Annunziata is dated in 1250. According to legend, the Servants of Mary assigned the task of painting the fresco of the “Glorious Virgin” to a painter called Bartholomew who never managed to conclude the face of the Glorious Virgin until one morning when he woke up he saw the work completed. It was defined as a miracle performed by the angels of the Lord. Today the church is a place of great devotion and veneration on the part of believers.

This is the house that was owned by composer Giuseppe Verdi from 1848 until the year of his death in 1901. The well-known composer acquired the property in 1848, but only in 1851 he began to live in the house together with his wife, Giuseppina Strepponi, also a well-known opera singer. Today the house is owned by a descendant of the Verdi family, Maria Filomena Verdi, who turned the house into a museum structure.

Initially, the Art Gallery was created by the collections of Giulio Alberoni, which is why it was named by his name. The artist was in constant contact with some painters of the 18th century, and as a result he added many other particular pieces to his collection, as well as personal ones. Inside we find “S. Turibio that divides the water of a river”, 'Saint Francis in Meditation', 'Martyrdom of Saint Sebastian' and numerous other famous paintings.

One of the oldest churches in Piacenza (it was built after the fifth century) that preserves inside two exquisite mosaics representing the months and zodiac signs.

Palazzo Landi is located in Piacenza and is the oldest medieval palace. It was built by Manfredo Landi, while the construction of the building was done by Giovanni Battagio. The building was the seat of the Council of Justice, then the seat of the Finance Court. Today the building is the seat of the Court, the Prefecture and the Court of Assizes.

The Paderna Castle was mentioned for the first time in a 9th century document. Since 1453 it was the first stately home of the Marazzani family. Today, the structure is managed by the nobles Pettorelli, and is used for various events and ceremonies.

Historical news of the Castle of Zena dates back to the 13th century when the Castle was destroyed by infantry and knights. Over the centuries the fortress has been owned by several families and from the second half of the 19th century it was owned by the Perotti family. The building consists of six structures that have fulfilled different tasks over the centuries. So we find the Ferraria used for agricultural functions and the second noble residence Casa Scotti.

The walls of Piacenza were raised in the sixteenth century, to protect the city, and are considered among the masterpieces of military architecture in which real masters participated in the construction of fortifications, as: Antonio da Sangallo. Currently, some stretches of ramparts in the Porta Borghetto area are in worrying conditions. The Farnesian ramparts are very important for the city, both for their beauty but, above all, for the historicity they represent.

The Farnese Palace located in Piazza Cittadella is the most important monument in the city of Piacenza and is located on the edge of the city to the north, separated from the inhabitants. At the origin of the construction lies the firm determination of Margaret of Austria, wife of Ottavio Farnese.Lately the palace has been expanded into different sections: sculptures, weapons, archaeology, glass and ceramics, farnesian carriages and glories. The building is divided according to different functions. Currently, Palazzo Farnese houses the collections of the civic museum.

The museums within the Farnese Palace include a wide range of works of art dating from the Middle Ages to the present day. The interior is divided into several sections: the archaeological part, the carriages, the Farnesian glories, the Pinacoteca and the Risorgimento. It is the ideal place for those interested in History and Culture.

The square, in its atypical form, was created under the Papacy of Paul III Farnese (1534-49) as part of the operations aimed at giving a new face to some areas and areas of the city, in view of the assignment of the Duchy of Parma and Piacenza to his son Pier Luigi. On that occasion, the ancient Church was dismantled and the Bishop's Palace was built, placing it in a position adjacent to the Duomo.

The Tower and the Gate date back to the fourteenth century as part of the City Castle. They were the property of the Visconti, and, at the time, they were also used for reasons of defense and surveillance. The whole system, together with the Castle, passed into the hands of several owners, over the years, who changed its appearance several times. Currently they are in excellent condition so you can easily notice all the medieval structural elements.

Built between 1787 and 1790 by architect Lotario Tomba, it includes a large sundial on the facade with a perpetual calendar. The building has been crowned by statues of pagan gods.

The Museum of the Risorgimento was inaugurated in 1988 and is housed on the first floor of the Palazzo Farnese. The materials contain history between 1848-1849 and 1859-1861. The historical collection consists of newspapers, posters, texts, weapons and portraits. It all starts with the Napoleonic age and ends with the assassination of the Duke of the Bourbons.

Built between 1222 and 1233, on the ruins of an ancient paleo Christian basilica, in the Romanesque style of the Po valley where are felt the Gothic elements of the time.

An important document of the Renaissance, built between 1522 and 1528 and it is considered the masterpiece of Alessio Tramello. It preserves precious frescoes by Giovanni Antonio de 'Sacchis.

The two statues, depicting Ranuccio and Alessandro Farnese, were created by Francesco Mochi da Montevarchi at the beginning of the '600. These are the typical examples of the Baroque, both representatives of different virtues, symbols of the two historical figures. The bases are well groomed, made from fine marble and decorated with great care and attention. Piazza Cavallo took its name precisely from the presence of these two statues.

The Castle of San Polo is assumed to date back to the fourteenth century and was owned by Guglielmo Landi. In the eighteenth century it was transformed into a prison by Austrian soldiers, then between the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries it became a residential building. Unfortunately, today it is a structure in total state of neglect and dangerous.

Founded in the fourth century by the first bishop of Piacenza, it is named after the patron saint of the city and has a large hall called the "Paradise" for the beauty of its architecture.

The Basilica of Sant'Antonino is located on the square of the same name and represents one of the most interesting buildings of the Piacenza architectural culture of the 11th century. The church was dedicated to the patron saint of the city. The building was divided into three naves. The special construction consists of a roof where there is an extraordinary cycle of frescoes from the mid-eleventh century.

It dates back to the sixteenth century. Designed by Panizzari, known as Carmosino . The facade is neoclassical and the interior is spacious and harmonious with five aisles divided by columns and pillars (a unique example in the city).

Known as the "Gothic", erected around 1281, it shows a portico with pointed arches. Inside, a large living room, 43.80 meters long and almost 17 meters wide, once used to house the assemblies of the people, it is now home to major exhibitions.

Former church of the sixth century converted into a theater at the beginning of the twentieth century. The Liberty style façade belongs to engineer Gazzola.