Itinerary 1

The heart of the city of Piacenza, located one km south from the bank of the river Po. In more than 2.200 years the overlap of different dominations made this square a sort of historical archive as well as treasure chest of its history. Under its pavement there are still traces of the most ancient past of Piacenza. Some of this archaeological finds may be seen at the museum of Palazzo Farnese.

This building, also called "Gotico" (Gothic) for the arches that prop the above storey, it is considered one of the best example of the Romanesque. During the dig of its foundation, a rock has been founded with this writing: Haec est ara Bellonae (this is Bellona’s altar, testimony of a preexisting Roman camp).

The basilica is located in piazza Cavalli. It was built between 1278 and 1363 by the monks . During the following centuries the Church got enriched of paintings and sculptures. At the end of 1700, under the Napoleon invasion, the Church was converted in hospital and storage, even planned to be turned into a theatre. In 1848 Piacenza was annexed to Piedmont. Its façade is quite rigorous and harmonious, but its bell tower is definitely an outstanding example of Lombard style.

These two monuments – dedicated to the dukes Alessandro and Ranuccio I Farnese -were made by the Toscan sculptor Francesco Mochi from Montevarchi. The basements of the monuments are in white marble from Carrara with some green veins and bronze engravings.
On the bas-relief of the monument dedicated to Ranuccio I the three great virtues of a good government are represented: prudence, justice and wise politics. On the bas-relief of the monument dedicated to Alessandro the sculptor represented some scenes of war led by the Duke in the Flanders.