PIACENZA La città e le sue valli

Named after the river that runs through it, the most renowned village in the valley is without a doubt Castell’Arquato. Located on the first hills of the Arda Valley, this medieval village is perched along a hillside, overlooking the surrounding landscape. The historic center is situated on the left bank of the Arda stream and is about 30 km from Piacenza. The village follows the typical layout of medieval settlements. It is believed to have originated as a military castrum during the Roman colonization of the area. In the imperial period, it developed into a small rural capital, thanks to its strategic position overlooking the road network. It has often served as a film location, the most famous being Ladyhawke.

Vigoleno: This small village, founded in the early Middle Ages, was built on a spur of limestone and sandstone in a strategic position to control and observe the Po Valley. Its origins date back to Roman times: the name derives from the Latin form Vicus Lyaeo, a place consecrated to Bacchus for the excellence of its wines. Vigoleno is indeed famous for its namesake Vin Santo. It is also part of the Piacenzian Geological Reserve.

The extraordinary richness of fossils in this area—already noted by Leonardo da Vinci, who mentioned it in the Codex Leicester—led scholars to use the term Piacenzian Stage, which today refers to the period in Earth’s history between 3.5 and 2.5 million years ago. Within the reserve, one can find various paleontological outcrops, with ravines, cliffs, and gullies framing a beautiful valley floor. Throughout the village of Castell’Arquato, many houses are built with blocks of sandstone that contain fossilized mollusks, evidence of the ancient sea that once covered today’s Po Valley.

Located between the Trebbia Valley to the west and the Arda Valley to the east, this valley is well worth a visit for its natural beauty and diverse landscapes. Val Nure features an alternating patchwork of meadows and pastures, beech woods, and mountain pine forests.

The wide grassy basins—once occupied by glacial or barrier lakes—are a distinctive feature of the valley. Examples include lago Moo, whose basin is now greatly reduced, and Prato Grande, at higher elevation, both of which are populated in summer by grazing herds of horses and cattle, and dotted with vibrant wildflowers. At an altitude of 1,298 meters lies lake Bino, likely of glacial origin, whose name may derive from binus, referring to its natural division into two parts by an earthen ridge. In summer, although its size decreases significantly, the lake remains a picturesque sight, particularly when the yellow water lilies are in bloom.

Val Nure is also known for its many mountains. The majestic Monte Ragola (1.712 m) (1,712 m) is the first peak in the area to exceed 1,700 meters heading south, followed in succession by Monte Nero (1,752 m), at the foot of which lies a lake of the same name, Monte Maggiorasca (1,799 m), and Monte Bue (1,777 m). On clear days, it is even possible to see the sea from these peaks.

Of historical and cultural significance is the Via degli Abati, also known as the Mountain Francigena Route. This Apennine trail formed part of the early medieval road network connecting the Lombard Kingdom (with its capital in Pavia) to Tuscany and ultimately Rome. It predates the better-known Via Francigena, which became established only after the Lombards conquered the Cisa Pass. Stretching 125 kilometers, the route connected Bobbio to Pontremoli, crossing both the Trebbia and Nure valleys in the Piacenza area. It was used by monks from the Abbey of San Colombano traveling to Rome, by pilgrims, and for trade—since the abbey at the time was not only a religious and cultural hub but also an economic power.

The main town in the Trebbia Valley is Bobbio, renowned for the Abbey of Saint Columbanus and the Ponte Vecchio (or “Hunchback Bridge”), which stretches 280 meters across the river with 11 uneven arches. The Irish monk Saint Columbanus arrived in Bobbio in 614, and began a monastic activity that would turn the abbey into a cultural capital of Italy during the Middle Ages—rivaling even Monte Cassino. Today, Bobbio retains the charm of a medieval village and hosts several notable events, including advanced music courses, a film festival directed by Marco Bellocchio, and an Irish music festival.

The Trebbia River is one of the most iconic features of the Piacenza region. Celebrated even beyond the province for the clarity of its waters, it attracts many visitors and swimmers each summer. It flows sinuously through the narrow gorges of the valley, alternating exposed rock faces with dense forests.

One remarkable section is the meanders of San Salvatore, located between Bobbio and Marsaglia. Here, the Trebbia carves a series of loops into the San Salvatore Sandstones, an impressive sequence of sandstone, siltstone, and clay layers that originated from ancient underwater sedimentation. The river’s vertical erosion reveals the rock layers with steep slopes and a winding pattern more typical of flatland rivers. This natural “book of stone” exposes the geological history of the area page by page. The Boreca Valley, one of the lesser-known branches of Val Trebbia, is crossed by the Boreca stream and nestled between the high peaks of the Piacenza and Ligurian Apennines, straddling the provinces of Piacenza and Genoa. Its great appeal lies in its exceptionally unspoiled natural heritage, featuring tall chestnut and beech trees, along with coppice woods of oak and hornbeam. The valley is also home to wide mountain meadows overlooked by the peaks of Monte Lesima (the highest in the Trebbia Valley at 1,724 m), Monte Chiappo, Monte Carmo, and Monte Alfeo.

Like the other valleys in the Piacenza area, Val Tidone takes its name from the Tidone stream, which flows through it. In addition to being a valley rich in castles, it is especially well known for wine production, boasting the highest concentration of vineyards in the province.

The Rocca D’Olgisio, thanks to its strategic location, has served as an impregnable fortress throughout various historical periods, from the Middle Ages to World War II. Perched atop a high cliff, it dominates the entire valley: on clear days, the view from its walls is extraordinary—you can even see Monte Rosa. The Rocca di Agazzano is one of the largest and most spectacular castles in the Piacenza hills, and a landmark of the most important village in the valley. It was the residence of noble families, including the Scotti, who still own it today through Princess Luisa Gonzaga Anguissola Scotti. The main halls and vast gardens are open to the public from March to November.

The Molato Dam is one of the most important architectural works in Val Tidone. Not only does it provide irrigation for the entire valley, but it is also a popular gathering place for bikers from all over Italy and serves as one of the access points to the Tidone Trail.

The villages of Val Tidone often have Celtic and Roman origins. Some of these towns have expanded over time, becoming important commercial hubs, while others have remained small in size—but in both cases, they have retained their ancient charm.

Ziano Piacentino is two-thirds covered in vineyards, which not only provide a stunning view for visitors but also produce high-quality D.O.C. grapes and wines. Pianello Val Tidone, surrounded by meadows and vineyards, is popular for its hiking and biking trails, as well as for historical sites like the Rocca d’Olgisio and the archaeological museum.