Piacenza is a city in northern Italy, located in the Emilia-Romagna region. Founded as a Roman colony in 218 BC under the name Placentia, the city played an important role as both a military post and a trading center. Over the centuries, Piacenza was invaded and rebuilt several times, especially during the Gothic and Lombard invasions, which have left a historical mark on the city. In the Middle Ages, Piacenza became part of the Holy Roman Empire, and the city experienced significant economic growth thanks to its fertile agricultural land and strategic location.

Later, Piacenza became part of the Duchy of Parma and Piacenza, which was ruled by the Farnese family from 1545 to 1731. Under the rule of the Farnese family, the city became known for its cultural and architectural development. Many of the city’s most significant buildings and monuments, such as the Palazzo Farnese and several churches, were built during this period. The duchy also contributed to the city’s economic growth through agriculture and trade. Piacenza became an important cultural centre in the region, and its historical heritage can still be seen today.

The old town of Piacenza was enclosed by city walls, which can still be seen, and in the middle are the city’s central squares, Piazza dei Cavalli and Piazza del Duomo. Piazza dei Cavalli is mainly surrounded by secular buildings, with the former town hall, Palazzo Comunale or Palazzo Gotico, as the most prominent structure. The Lombard-Gothic building was built from the end of the 13th century, and in front of it stand two equestrian statues of the Farnese dukes Ranuccio and Alexander. Opposite the old town hall is the neoclassical Palazzo del Governatore from 1781-1788.

From Piazza dei Cavalli you can walk along the narrow street Via XX Settembre to Piazza del Duomo, where Piacenza’s cathedral stands. On the way you pass the large church Basilica San Francesco d’Assisi, which, together with an adjacent monastery, was built between 1278 and 1363 in Lombard Gothic style. Inside the basilica you can admire high Gothic vaults that create a sense of grandeur, and some frescoes and works of art. The altar, for example, is beautifully decorated, and there are also several interesting side chapels.

The Duomo di Piacenza, also known as the Cattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta e Santa Giustina, is a Romanesque cathedral built between 1122 and 1233. The facade consists of sandstone and pink marble from Verona, and its interior is built in a Latin cross shape with three naves separated by massive columns. In the church room you can see Camillo Procaccini and Ludovico Carracci’s magnificent frescoes in the apse and Guercino’s impressive frescoes in the church dome. In the cathedral’s crypt there are 108 Romanesque columns and relics of Santa Giustina, one of Piacenza’s patron saints.

When you are in Piacenza, you should also see Palazzo Farnese, an impressive Renaissance building that was built in the 16th century. The palace now houses several museums, such as the Museo Archeologico. The museum contains an impressive collection of finds ranging from prehistoric times to the Roman period, including the famous Piacenza Liver/Fegato di Piacenza, a bronze model of a sheep’s liver used in Etruscan divination. In addition to the Museo Archeologico, Palazzo Farnese houses the Museo delle Carrozze with a collection of historic carriages and carriages, the Pinacoteca art gallery, the Museo delle Risorgimento dedicated to the Italian collection, the Museo delle Armi with a collection of ancient weapons, and the Fasti Farnesiani exhibition, which depicts the history of the Farnese family.

Piacenza also offers other attractions such as the Galleria d’Arte Moderna Ricci Oddi, an art museum that houses a large collection of Italian art from the 19th and 20th centuries. The museum is known for its works by artists such as Giovanni Fattori and Giuseppe Pellizza da Volpedo. For those interested in natural history, the Museo Civico di Storia Naturale is a good choice. It is a museum with a fine collection of fossils and minerals, and it conveys the story of the natural history of the region.

You can also take a walk to and along Piacenza’s city walls, which date back to the Middle Ages. They were built to protect the city from attack, and despite demolitions and reconstructions, significant remains can still be seen in several places in the city. The best places to experience the city walls today include the area around Piazza Cittadella, where you can see Palazzo Farnese as part of the ancient defenses, and from Via Campagna to Via Alession Tramello, where the walls are well preserved. You can also walk to Porta Borghetto, one of Piacenza’s ancient city gates, where there are preserved fortification buildings.