Piacenza

Piacenza is a historically rich city in the Emilia-Romagna region of northern Italy, known for its beautiful architecture, significant art collections, and, perhaps most famously, its exceptional gastronomy and wines.

What Piacenza is Known For

• Gastronomy and Wines: Piacenza is a true “food valley” famous for its local products. It produces the largest amount of PDO-certified cured meats (salumi) in Italy, including:
  • Coppa Piacentina
  • Pancetta Piacentina
  • Salame Piacentino The area is also a major producer of DOC wines, with the red Gutturnio being the best known.
• Architecture and Art: The city boasts well-preserved medieval and Renaissance architecture, reflecting its past as a strategic Roman colony and a center of the Farnese Duchy.
• A “Quiet” Gem: Compared to more famous Italian cities, Piacenza is often noted for its laid-back, uncrowded atmosphere, offering an authentic and relaxed Italian experience.

Key Attractions and Things to See

• Piazza Cavalli (Horses’ Square): The main square and heart of the city, named for the two dramatic bronze equestrian statues of the Farnese Dukes, Alessandro and Ranuccio.
  • Palazzo Gotico: A striking 13th-century Gothic palace that dominates Piazza Cavalli.
• Palazzo Farnese: An impressive unfinished Renaissance palace that now houses the Civic Museums, including:
  • The Archaeological Museum, which contains the famous Etruscan Liver of Piacenza, a bronze model of a sheep’s liver used for divination.
  • Artworks, including a Botticelli’s Tondo.
• Piacenza Cathedral (Duomo): A Romanesque masterpiece from the 12th century, known for its frescoes and soaring bell tower.
• Galleria d’arte moderna Ricci Oddi: A modern art gallery that achieved international fame for the dramatic theft and recovery of Gustav Klimt’s Portrait of a Lady.
• Basilica di Sant’Antonino: A Romanesque basilica dedicated to the city’s patron saint, notable for its unique octagonal bell tower and its location on the ancient Via Francigena pilgrimage route.
• Surrounding Area: The countryside is dotted with picturesque villages and historic castles, such as Castell’Arquato, Grazzano Visconti, and the vineyards of the Colli Piacentini (Piacenza Hills).

Famous Local Dishes

Beyond the cured meats, be sure to try Piacenza’s distinctive cuisine:

• Tortelli con la Coda: A local twist on stuffed pasta, which are larger tortelli closed with a twist to form a “tail,” typically filled with spinach and ricotta and served with butter and sage.
• Pisarei e Fasò: Small hand-rolled dumplings (pisarei) served with a hearty bean and lard sauce.
• Bomba di Riso: A dome-shaped rice dish traditionally made with pigeon meat (though modern versions may substitute other meats) from the nearby village of Bobbio.