Colli Piacentini Festivals and Sagre
Across the Colli Piacentini hills, traditional wine festivals and sagre run throughout the year, with fixed appointments centred on local wines such as Gutturnio, regional cuisine and music.
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Piacenza
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ℹ️Practical info — Piacenza
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🌤 Weather — 5 days
📍 Nearby
Sights nearby
💡 Tips
- Piacenza is often overlooked for Parma, making it a quieter alternative in Emilia-Romagna. The best time to visit Piazza dei Cavalli is early evening.
- Try to park outside the ZTL (Restricted Traffic Zone) near the ancient walls and walk into the center.
- The Po River banks offer a great escape for a morning walk or cycle.
- Most local churches and museums close for a few hours in the early afternoon (riposo), so plan your sightseeing accordingly.
- Stop by a local salumeria to pick up provisions for a picnic.
🍽 Food
🍽
Pisarei e fasö
Pasta with beans, and tortelli con la coda. Found in traditional osterias in the historical center.
🍽
Coppa Piacentina and Pancetta
Buy these delicious cold cuts from a central deli or at the local market.
🍽
Gutturnio
A local red wine, first-rate to pair with heavy local meats.
🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots
🛍
Mercato Farnesiano
The city's farmers market. Well-suited for fresh produce and local cheeses.
🛍
Via XX Settembre
The best street for boutique shopping and traditional Italian fashion.
🧘
Facsal (Pubblico Passeggio)
A long tree-lined avenue following the old city walls, great for a shaded walk.
🧘
Po River banks
Where you can find peaceful walking trails away from the urban center.
Water temperature…
Highlights of 2026
1
Piacenza, situated on the right bank of the Po River in the Emilia-Romagna region, is home to a history spanning over 2,000 years, beginning as the Roman military colony Placentia in 218 BC. Due to its strategic location along the Via Emilia, the city became a vital commercial hub in the Middle Ages and a key member of the Lombard League. In the 16th century, Piacenza became part of the Duchy of Parma and Piacenza under the Farnese family, whose influence is evident in the city's grand architecture. The massive Palazzo Farnese, a Renaissance landmark, now houses the civic museums. The city's main square, Piazza Cavalli, features the Gothic Palazzo del Comune and the famous equestrian statues of the Farnese dukes. Piacenza Cathedral is a masterpiece of Romanesque design, constructed between 1122 and 1233. Today, Piacenza is a major logistics hub and is celebrated for its rich culinary heritage, particularly its DOP-certified cured meats.
- Location: Italy
- Top sights: KRONOS Museo della Cattedrale Piacenza - Salita alla cupola · Municipale · Museo civico di Storia Naturale
- Nearby: Cremona (27 km)
- Population: ~103.607
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Jul, Sep.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | 3 | 4 | 8 | 12 | 16 | 21 | 24 | 24 | 19 | 14 | 8 | 3 |
| Rain mm | 46 | 58 | 64 | 73 | 80 | 57 | 45 | 61 | 66 | 89 | 128 | 65 |
Live webcam – Piacenza
See what it looks like near Piacenza right now.
Piacenza › South-east: Ponte ferroviario di Piacenza · 1.2 km · Open webcam on Windy · Webcams provided by Windy.com
Geography
Facts
- Placentia, along with Cremona, was the first Roman colony established in Northern Italy.
- The construction of Piacenza Cathedral spanned over 110 years, from 1122 to 1233.
- The equestrian statues in Piazza Cavalli are considered Baroque masterpieces by sculptor Francesco Mochi.
- Piacenza is known as the 'Primogenita' for being the first city to vote for annexation to the Kingdom of Italy in 1848.
- The Church of San Sisto was the original location of Raphael's famous 'Sistine Madonna'.
- The Po River at Piacenza is one of the widest points of the river's course in Northern Italy.
Explore nearby
Notable places around
Route planner — Car & Motorhome
Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.
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© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService
A day in the city
Pick weather + travel mode, get a concrete day plan.
09:00→16:122.3 km walk7 places0/7
Day budget: ≈ 20–28 €Entries 24€ · Transport 0€
Start your day in the heart of Piacenza at Piazza Cavalli, where the Gothic palace tells the city's story. At midday, explore the magnificent Cathedral, then admire modern art at the Ricci Oddi Gallery. The afternoon is dedicated to the massive Palazzo Farnese, followed by a relaxed walk along the ancient city walls in the evening light.
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09:00→16:434.4 km ride8 places0/8
Day budget: ≈ 32–44 €Entries 26€ · Transport 12€
Explore Piacenza on two wheels! From the central Piazza Cavalli, bike to the Cathedral and on to the hidden basilicas of San Savino and Sant'Antonino. Discover the extensive museums in Palazzo Farnese and enjoy the ride along the green city walls before finishing your day at the Ricci Oddi Gallery.
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09:00→16:033.4 km drive8 places0/8
Day budget: ≈ 25–33 €Entries 28€ · Transport 1€
This car tour combines Piacenza's highlights into efficient clusters. Start in the north at Palazzo Farnese, then move to the center near Piazza Cavalli and the Cathedral, where you can park once and explore everything on foot. In the afternoon, drive to the Ricci Oddi Gallery and finally enjoy a drive along the historic city walls.
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Sights in the town Piacenza (15)
Frequently asked questions
What is the central square of the city?
Piazza Cavalli, named after the two large equestrian statues of the Farnese dukes.
What is the Palazzo Farnese?
A monumental 16th-century palace that now houses several museums.
What should one eat in Piacenza?
Pisarei e faśö, small gnocchi with a sauce made of beans and bacon.
How old is the Piacenza Cathedral?
Construction began in 1122, and it is an outstanding example of Romanesque architecture.
Is Piacenza located on a river?
Yes, the city is located on the southern bank of the Po, Italy's longest river.
Piacenza: where is it located?
Piacenza is located in Italy.
Piacenza: what is there to see?
Highlights include KRONOS Museo della Cattedrale Piacenza - Salita alla cupola, Municipale, Museo civico di Storia Naturale.
Piacenza: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Jul, Sep.
Piacenza: why is it worth visiting?
Piacenza, situated on the right bank of the Po River in the Emilia-Romagna region, is home to a history spanning over 2,000 years, beginning as the Roman military colony Placentia in 218 BC.
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