Top Cosa Fare a Piacenza — Attractions, Wine Tasting & Day Trips

Piacenza is one of Emilia-Romagna's most rewarding cities for the curious traveller. It lacks the blockbuster attractions of Bologna or Parma, but it compensates with a beautifully preserved historic centre, some of Italy's finest Baroque equestrian statuary, an unfinished Farnese palace that tells a story of ambition and decline, and vineyard-covered hills that produce wines you will struggle to find anywhere else. Whether you have a single day or a long weekend, here is everything you should not miss.

Landmarks & Historic Sites

1. Piazza Cavalli — The Heart of Piacenza

No visit to Piacenza begins anywhere else. Piazza Cavalli is widely considered one of the most beautiful squares in Emilia-Romagna, named for the two bronze equestrian statues — the cavalli — that dominate its centre. Cast between 1620 and 1625 by the Baroque sculptor Francesco Mochi, they depict Alessandro Farnese (Duke of Parma and Piacenza, commander of the Spanish army that defeated the Turks at the Battle of Lepanto) and his son Ranuccio Farnese. The statues are remarkable for their dynamic energy — the horses rear, the dukes gesture imperiously, and the movement is captured with a vitality rare in European equestrian sculpture. The square is framed by the Palazzo del Governatore, the Palazzo dell'Annona, and the neoclassical facade of the Basilica di San Francesco. At dusk, when the buildings take on a golden hue and the cafes spill onto the cobblestones, it is one of the most atmospheric spots in northern Italy.

2. Piacenza Cathedral (Duomo) — Tallest Campanile in Emilia-Romagna

The Duomo of Piacenza is a masterpiece of Lombard Romanesque architecture. Begun in 1122 and consecrated in 1233, its construction took more than a century, and the result is a monument of rare power and harmony. The exterior is faced in pink-veined marble from Verona, with a massive rose window and three richly carved portals. Inside, the nave and two aisles are separated by massive pillars, their capitals carved with fantastic creatures — griffins, lions, and mythical beasts. The wooden choir stalls (15th century) are intricately carved, and the frescoes in the presbytery and apse (14th–16th centuries) include a beautiful Coronation of the Virgin. The campanile, at 72 metres, is the tallest bell tower in Emilia-Romagna. Climb it on a clear day for a panorama that stretches from the Alps to the Apennines.

3. Palazze Farnese — The Unfinished Palace

Begun in 1568 for Ottavio Farnese, Palazze Farnese was conceived as the most imposing ducal residence in northern Italy — a statement of Farnese power to rival any palace in Rome or Parma. It was never finished. The massive brick shell stands today as a monument to the family's declining fortunes, but within its walls are some of Piacenza's finest museums. The Museo Civico houses archaeological treasures from Roman Placentia, including mosaics, inscriptions, and everyday objects that bring the ancient city to life. The Carriage Museum (Museo delle Carrozze) displays a remarkable collection of 19th-century horse-drawn carriages, from stately Berlins to sporting phaetons. The courtyard alone — a vast, empty space bounded by unfinished brick walls — is worth a visit for its sense of scale and melancholy beauty.

4. Basilica of Sant'Antonino — Piacenza's Patron Saint

The Basilica of Sant'Antonino is Piacenza's oldest church, founded in the 4th century above a Roman cemetery. The current Romanesque structure dates from the 11th–12th centuries, with a distinctive octagonal bell tower — unusual in Emilia-Romagna — added in the 14th century. Inside, the 15th-century frescoes in the Cappella della Misericordia are particularly fine, and the crypt preserves traces of the original 4th-century building. Sant'Antonino was the city's cathedral before the current Duomo was built, and he remains Piacenza's patron saint, celebrated on April 13 with processions and festivities.

5. Piazza dei Mercanti & Il Gotico

Just a few steps from Piazza Cavalli, Piazza dei Mercanti is the medieval mercantile heart of Piacenza. It is dominated by the Palazzo del Comune, universally known as Il Gotico for its soaring pointed arches — a masterpiece of civic Gothic architecture completed in 1281. The building, still the city hall, is faced in brick and stone, with a loggia on the ground floor and a grand council hall above. Saturday mornings see the square transform into a lively market selling everything from local cheese and cured meats to clothing and flowers. The arcades of Il Gotico make a fine spot for people-watching with a coffee from the adjacent cafe.

6. Galleria d'Arte Moderna Ricci Oddi

Piacenza's modern art gallery is one of Italy's finest for 19th and 20th-century Italian painting. Housed in an elegant neoclassical palazzo, the collection includes works by Macchiaioli painters, Futurists, and mid-century artists. Highlights include pieces by Giovanni Fattori, Giuseppe Pellizza da Volpedo, and the Divisionists. The gallery's picture gallery and sculpture garden make for a serene hour away from the streets.

7. Collegio Alberoni

Founded in the 18th century as a seminary and college by Cardinal Alberoni, this magnificent complex houses a spectacular art collection, a library of 80,000 volumes (including incunabula and precious manuscripts), and a remarkable collection of Flemish tapestries. The art gallery contains works by Guido Reni, Guercino, and Luca Giordano, among others. The guided tour (available in English) is excellent and takes you through the baroque chapel, the library, and the gallery. Allow 90 minutes.

8. Church of San Sisto

This Renaissance church holds a special place in art history: its high altar once displayed Raphael's Sistine Madonna, painted in 1513–1514 for the monks of San Sisto. The painting was sold to the Elector of Saxony in 1754 and now hangs in the Gemäldegalerie Alte Meister in Dresden. The church itself is a serene architectural gem, with a harmonious facade and a calm interior. The monks' choir, with its carved wooden stalls, and the sacristy's frescoes are lovely.

Wine Tasting in the Colli Piacentini Hills

The Colli Piacentini hills, just 15 minutes south of Piacenza's historic centre, are one of Italy's most accessible and least-exploited wine regions. The rolling clay and limestone slopes are covered in vineyards growing Barbera, Croatina (known locally as Bonarda), Ortrugo, and Malvasia grapes. The wines — Gutturnio DOCG, Bonarda, Ortrugo, and Malvasia — are the perfect expression of this terroir: honest, food-friendly, and rarely exported. A half-day visit to the Colli hills is essential for any Piacenza itinerary.

Begin at Cantina Valtidone in Vigolzone, one of the region's most respected producers, where guided tastings cover the full range of Colli wines. Then continue to Azienda Luretta in Gossolengo for a tour of their historic cellars and a taste of their Gutturnio riserva. If you have time, drive the winding road to Travo, a hilltop village with a castle ruin and panoramic views of the Po Valley. Most cantinas charge €10–20 for a tasting and are happy to ship wine home. Book ahead in summer and autumn.

Po River Cycling

The Po River, Italy's longest waterway, flows just north of Piacenza's historic centre. A dedicated cycle path runs along the river embankment, forming part of the EuroVelo 8 Mediterranean Route. From Piacenza, you can cycle east along the river toward Cremona (30 km of flat, car-free riding) or west toward Castelvetro Piacentino (10 km). The route passes through farmland, poplar groves, and small river ports where barges unload sand and gravel. On a clear day, the Alps are visible on the northern horizon. Bicycles can be rented from several shops in the city centre. Allow 3–4 hours round trip to Cremona with stops.

Walking Tours

The Walls of Piacenza: The medieval city walls, built in the 13th–15th centuries and reinforced under the Farnese, still encircle much of the historic centre. The City Walls Walk follows the surviving sections past gates (Porta del Paradiso, Porta Santa Croce) and bastions, with views of the cathedral's campanile and glimpses of the Po River. The full circuit takes about 45 minutes at a leisurely pace.

Roman Placentia Walk: The street grid of central Piacenza is essentially unchanged since Roman times. A self-guided walk along the cardo (Corso Vittorio Emanuele) and decumanus (Via XX Settembre) passes the Forum site (now Piazza Cavalli), the remains of the Roman forum, and the Museo Civico's Roman collection in Palazze Farnese. Look for Roman-era foundations visible through glass panels in the pavement on Corso Vittorio Emanuele.

The Farnese Trail: Follow the Farnese dukes' footsteps from Palazze Farnese to Piazza Cavalli (the equestrian statues of Farnese dukes) to the Duomo (where Farnese weddings and funerals took place) and the Church of San Sisto (Farnese patronage). The walk takes about 90 minutes and tells the story of the family that ruled Piacenza for nearly 200 years.

Self-Guided Day Trips from Piacenza

Beach Day from Piacenza

While Piacenza is inland, the Adriatic coast is within reach. The beaches of Cesenatico and Rimini are about 2.5 hours by car via the A14. Liguria's Cinque Terre region is about 2 hours 15 minutes by car south-west. Alternatively, the lakes of northern Italy — Lake Garda (Desenzano, 90 km, 1 hr) and Lake Como (120 km, 1 hr 30 min) — make excellent summer day trips.

Seasonal & Events

Plan your visit around Piacenza's calendar for an even richer experience. Festa di Sant'Antonino (April 13) features processions and food stalls. Estate Piacentina (June–July) fills the squares with outdoor concerts and cinema. The Festa del Gutturnio in Vigolzone (early September) is the premier wine festival of the Colli hills. Autumn brings porcini mushroom fairs and truffle events across the province. The Christmas market in Piazza Cavalli (mid-December to January 6) is cosy and authentic, with wooden stalls, mulled wine, and local crafts.

How Many Days Do You Need?

One day: Morning at Piazza Cavalli, Duomo, and Palazze Farnese. Afternoon at Sant'Antonino and the Galleria Ricci Oddi. Evening aperitivo in Piazza dei Mercanti and dinner at a traditional osteria.
Two days: Add a full day in the Colli Piacentini hills for wine tasting, lunch among the vineyards, and a drive through Vigolzone and Travo. Evening back in the centre for dinner.
Three days: Add a morning cycling the Po River path to Cremona (or a day trip to Parma or Milan), plus a visit to Collegio Alberoni and the Church of San Sisto.

Getting Around

The historic centre is compact, flat, and entirely walkable — the Roman street grid makes navigation simple. For the Colli Piacentini hills, a car or bicycle is recommended; the hills begin just 15 minutes south of the city. Piacenza's train station is a 10-minute walk from Piazza Cavalli and offers excellent connections: Milan (50 min), Parma (35 min), Bologna (1 hr 15 min), and Cremona (20 min). Taxis are available at the station and can be hailed in the centre. For an eco-friendly visit, combine walking with bicycle rental and train travel for day trips — Piacenza is ideally suited to car-free exploration.

Domande Frequenti