Things to do in Podenzano Italy – what to see attractions and activities

The castle was built in 1395 by Giovanni Anguissola, and still belongs to the descendants of his family. The building has a quadrangular structure, consisting of four towers, between which two are cylindrical and two are square. Near the castle there is a small church dedicated to the family and also the park of about 150 000 m². Currently, in its rooms there are artisan shops and dining options.

The Castle of Baselica was built in 1400 by Nicolino Tedeschi. The structure belonged to Daniele l Radini, but in the 16th century it passed to the Anguissola. The building has a rectangular structure, with four corner towers.

The Castle of Larzano dates back to the 14th century and belonged to the noble Cassoli of Reggio Emilia, until 1677. The building is located within the resort, which is a hilly area. It is currently in excellent condition and is accessible to tourists.

In the town of Rivergaro there are a multitude of castles, including that of Niviano. It is assumed that this building was built in the Middle Ages, around the year 1100 on pre-existing buildings. It was heavily damaged in the sixteenth century by a raid. Nevertheless, it is in excellent condition and is open to the public.

The Castle of Caratta is located in the municipality of Gossolengo. The building was built in 1100 by the Malaspina, in Piacenza style. Currently, it is private property and in its environments it houses a farm.

The Castle of Ancarano is located in Rivergaro, in the province of Piacenza. There is no certain information on the date of construction, but according to ancient writings it is assumed to date back to 1466. In 1521 the Castle, and the village also suffered serious damage due to some military attacks by the French and then by the Lanzichenecchi. Despite the whole building is in good condition and the Renaissance artistic elements are clearly visible. Today it is open to tourists.

The Tower of Roveleto Landi is located in the municipality of Rivergaro, in the province of Piacenza. Its structure has medieval architecture.

Today it is used as a museum. For centuries owned by the Zanardi Landi family, inside the majestic cylindrical tower it is possible to admire some uniforms used in the Battle of Lepanto. The itinerary offers three more beautiful castles, heading north near Niviano, and to the south with Statto and Montechiaro.

The Castle of Gossolengo was built in the late twelfth century. The interior is divided into two square-plan courtyards. Today, the building is part of the heritage of military rule.

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.

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.

The Castle of Cerreto Landi, owned by Oberto Landi, has historical news from 1385. After switching ownership to several people of the Landi family, it was sold to Andrea Giacomenti in 1726. The structure consists of a rectangular plan with protruding and angular towers. From the keep there were two entrances connected to the ancient drawbridge, of which nowadays the remains are still preserved.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 castle, which dates back to 1550, was a project completed by the imperial architect Domenico Gianelli of Siena, commissioned by Gian Francesco della Veggiola. Despite all the transformations undergone, the ancient elements are still recognizable: the ancient portal, the front front and the furniture with coffered ceilings.

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.

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 Museum of Natural History is located in Piacenza, in 2007 the museum was transferred to its current headquarters, and is “led” by science teachers, scholars and groups of naturalists. The core of the collections came from collections kept in the “Romagnosi” Technical Commercial Institute.

Of the Castle of Ližnjan, as far as the date of construction is concerned, we do not have certain or accurate information. We only know that, in 1203, he was appointed in some writings. Today it is privately owned and therefore can be visited on request. It is also well preserved.

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 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.

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 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.

it is an impressive Renaissance church, whose design has been signed by Alessio Tramello. Built between 1513 and 1533 for the Olivetani monks, in the Napoleonic period it was transformed into a military hospital in 1903 and only reopened for worship

Historical news of the Castle of Case Bruciate dates back to the 11th and 14th centuries. It is said that the noble Corrado Confalonieri set a fire involuntarily during a hunting game, and for this reason the building took this denomination. It looks like a structure consisting of three floors with a cylindrical tower on the left side that gives it the title of castrum.

The Castle of Momeliano or Castel Basini, from the name of the owners, would go back, according to some historical sources, to 1300. Over the years it has often passed in the hands of several owners. Its current state of preservation is good and is open to tourists.

Torre di Masana was built in 1340, it is part of the castle located not far from Case Bruciate. The Castle still preserves one of the four original towers that from the highest point offer a beautiful panorama of the Po Valley and the Prealps.

The Castle dates back to the 11th century and initially served as a noble refuge. In 1216 it was rebuilt, and it was occupied by the armed bodies of King Enzio. Later in 1435 he underwent some changes at the hands of Alberto Scotti. Today the castle is visible only from the outside.

The Castle of Montechiaro stands out for its particular structure and for the fact that it is located isolated from the rest of the town. It has a very tall tower in the middle of the courtyard. It has been used with different functions, exploiting the various cockpits that are inside it. Fortunately, today it is accessible for all tourists and is in excellent condition.

The castle of Agazzano, together with the Rocca, is the most important points of the valley, of the medieval type. The castle has been renovated to be transformed into a noble home. Inside, it is furnished with period furniture. You can admire pictorial decorations and beautiful frescoes. The castle is an excellent example of history, traditions and culture. It is now privately owned.

The Castle of Badagnano dates back to the fourteenth century. The only safe sources are news about the families who lived there. In fact, it was owned by the Dal Pozzo and the Landi until passing to the Tavasca who managed it until 800. Its function was to protect and defend access to the Piacenza valley.

The Castle of Rezzanello is assumed to have been built around the year 1000. It is located in a place detached from the rest of the area, surrounded by greenery. It has a trapezoidal base, with four circular towers. Over the centuries it has often been the backdrop of wars and clashes. It is currently privately owned and is used for events and receptions. It can be visited only on advance request.

Castano Castle is an ancient fortress owned by the Scotti family. Built in the 13th century, it presents itself as a weave between the majesty of the medieval style and the refinement of the Renaissance. Inside, it still preserves vintage furniture and elegant frescoes. Today it is used as a venue for celebrations and conferences.

The Castle of Gropparello was built between the 8th and 14th centuries. It is located on a rocky peak and is home to a previous Roman castrum. Its function was to defend the road that led to Velleia. In the part below the Castle there is a lush park called the Fairy Tale Park. The building was renovated during different eras, expanding the headquarters for the guard body and the premises for housing.

The building stands on top of a rock to secure a strategic position. Located in the province of Piacenza the Castle of Gropparello, in the Middle Ages has been included in the war between Guelfi and Ghibellines and has been owned by numerous families including Fulgosio, Borri, Anguissola. It 'made up of parts of different ages. The tower is the oldest part and is located on top of the rock, ideal for a tower using for view of possible arrival of armies from the north.

The Castle of Torre Rizzi is located on top of the hill of Val Luretta in Piozzano. Initially it was a complex owned by Giovanni and Marco Dolzani and later passed in 1431 to Gian Francesco della Veggiola. The latter expanded the area of the building and transformed it into an elegant and noble residence. After the hanging of della Veggiola, the tower became the property of the Paveri-Fontana and towards the end of the 18th century by the Rizzi.

The first news about the Castle of Olmeto date back to 1216 when it was destroyed by the Parmesan and Cremona militias. During the following centuries it passed into management to several noble families, among which the last was that of the Gandolfi. The building has some remaining parts of the original structure, such as the two circular towers and some traces of the drawbridge. Currently, the Castle is home to a farm.

The Castle of Monticello was built around the fourteenth century by the Arcelli family, to which it belonged. Over the centuries he was not involved in wars or raids, except in two cases, in 1372 and 1945. Nowadays its state of conservation is excellent and tourists can visit it for free.

The Tower of Bobbiano located in Emilia Romagna was built on the rubble of a pre-existing tower and is extended on a small hill. The structure is typical medieval. The nobles Anguissola were the owners of the tower.

The Bastardina Castle is one of the few castles built in the late Middle Ages, already existed in the eleventh century. It was initially owned by the Scotti. It was born on a rectangular territory, where two square towers were built. The third tower, located asymmetrically, is the highest. Instead, today the fourth is used as a bell tower of the nearby oratory. The 2,900 metre hilly course around is used as a golf course. The interior is very elegant, the porch with nine ovens and also the stairs leading to the upper floor.

It was built in the twelfth century as a defense for Val Riglio. The whole construction is in stone. In the front there are still the original joints of the bridge and the drawbridge. The property is spread over 27 hectares of park, for a total area of 1100 square meters. Over the past 25 years it has been perfectly renovated keeping its original structure. It is currently private property.

Historical references of the Castle of Magnano have been made from the twelfth century when it is cited in Liber Mancassola. Until the end of the eighteenth century the property remained of the Scotti, and after the marriage with a noble of the Scala, it took the name of Scotti-Scala. The fortress has a particular irregular trapezoidal structure. It is divided into Guelph crenellated walls, a monobloc body, also crowned by battlements, and a main tower consisting of a square plan with internal spiral staircases.

The history of the castle is linked to that of the Arcelli family. The construction was made with bricks and supported by shelves and consists of five towers. This was a technique used at the beginning of the '400. Between the seventeenth and eighteenth century, the staircase of the porch was built on the ground floor and a loggia on the upper floor. Today the castle can be visited only from the outside.

There is little news about the Castle of Monteventano regarding its construction. From historical sources it appears that it was rebuilt in the 17th century after it was destroyed in 1164 by Federico Barbarossa. The fortress has been owned by several families over the centuries and is currently the private residence of a German painter. The structure still has its imposing walls and the tower leaning against the residential building. The round tower still stands over thirty meters high that presides over the entrance.

The Castle of Montecanino was built in the eleventh century in a position that offers a wide view of the Po Valley. It was destroyed in 1164 by Barbarossa but was rebuilt around the fifteenth century, passing ownership to many noble families including the Thirteen. The fortress had six towers, located between the perimeter and the center. Currently, only a few remains remain of the Castle, but in the past it was an imposing building for the defense and collection of the resort.

The Porta di Sasso was built in the '300 and is the only left of the Visconti city. It is erected in stone and brick, on the outside it has a round arch, instead, in the inner one, with a lowered sixth. The property is in excellent condition.

The construction of this building was wanted by Alberto Scotti in 1292. The palace was later the seat of the government of the Podestà. Towards the short side of the building is the loggia dei Notari, now the headquarters of the Tourist Information Office. A tower with two clocks, overlooks the whole thing. The Palazzo del Podestà is now often the venue of exhibitions (painting, sculpture, photography, cribs).

The Farnese Tower is a square tower erected between 1527 and 1535. It was originally used as an outpost keep against enemy armies. Internally it has four floors, connected together by a helical staircase. Today it houses the headquarters of the Gens Innominabilis Arme School of Arms in Castell'Arquato.

Among the many monuments of Castell'Arquato is the one that best represents it, a military fortress built by the Visconti between 1342 and 1347 from the top of its keep dominates the ancient village, (one of the most beautiful in Italy) in clearer days you can see an immense plain and in the background the show of the Alps that rise majestic.

The Farnese Tower was built between 1527 and 1535. The building has a square plan structure and was used as an outpost keep against enemy armies. Currently, the Gens Innominabilis Arms School of Arms in Castell'Arquato is located in the rooms of the building.

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.