Hotels Piacenza

Piacenza is a big town of Emilia Romagna region which stands on the right shore of the Po river near the Lombard border. Because of its geographical location in the centre of the Padan Plain, the city is a key node highway and rail, with thriving industries scattered in its territory. Its historic centre boasts a remarkable artistic heritage, the result of more than two thousand years of history. In particular there are many noble palaces, some of which are characterized by beautiful private gardens.

Piacenza was founded in 218 b.C. by Romans with the name of Placentia, as a military base against invasions of Galli. During the Roman Empire it was a thriving river port and an important center of commerce. After 1000 the city had a great population and economic growth because it was set along the Via Francigena, the road that led pilgrims to Rome. Following it was a lively free municipality, before joining the Duchy of Parma, which was controlled by the family of Farnese. Piacenza is called "Primogenita della Patria" ("First-born of Italy"), as was the first city to vote on its annexation to the Kingdom of Italy newborn.

The heart of Piacenza is the lively Piazza Cavalli, adorned by two equestrian monuments dedicated to Alessandro and Ranuccio Farnese. In this square overlook Palazzo Comunale, also called "Gothic", which is surely one of the most beautiful buildings civilians made in the Middle Ages in Italy. Nearby is Piazza del Duomo, where lies the Cathedral which was built in 1122 in the romanesque style. The structure has a beautiful pink marble facade characterized by three portals. Inside are preserved frescoes of considerable value created between the fourteenth and the sixteenth century.

In Piazza della Cittadella there is the majestic Palazzo Farnese, which was the residence of the family that ruled Piacenza until 1731. Inside are exposed countless historical and artistic treasures. In the Archaeological Museum there are exhibits dating back to prehistoric age and the famous "Fegato Etrusco", a bronze liver dating back to the second century b.C. On the first floor of the palace is the exceptional Art gallery, which houses unique works such as the "Madonna adorante il Bambino" by Botticelli.

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