The best traffic-free bike rides around Gossolengo

preparing for a big concert.

Built between 1278 and 1363 by the Ghibelline Umbertino Landi, the church of San Francesco is in Lombard Gothic style with a terracotta façade. The Friars Minor were commissioned to carry out the work and quickly built the church and adjoining monastery. Over the centuries, the church was enriched with works of art and the convent reached considerable dimensions. The most important historical event connected to the church was, in 1848, the proclamation, which took place here with a plebiscite, of the annexation of Piacenza to the Kingdom of Sardinia. The church preserves inside the tombs of illustrious men, paintings, sculptures and remains of frescoes from the 14th and 15th centuries. Note the sculpture placed in the lunette of the portal, with the Stigmata of San Francesco (around 1480). The dome of the chapel of the Immaculate Conception is frescoed by Giovanni Battista Trotti, known as “Il Malosso” (1600). Also worthy of note is the stucco sculpture group created by Reti in the 17th century and depicting the Deposition. Other artists present are Bernardo Castello, Giuseppe Nuvolone and Benedetto Marini. In front of the church of San Francesco, the so-called “Dado” develops in height, the building that incorporates the architectural structures of the ancient medieval Torrazzo communal tower. (c) https://scopripiacenza.it/it/luoghi/chiese-e-santuari-piacenza-la-citta-piazza-cavalli-chiesa-di-san-francesco

Place of architectural, cultural, touristic and artistic interest The structure appears to be private 29027 Altoé di Podenzano, PC Via G. Alberoni

The 357th giant bench of the Big Bench Community Project was "born" in Veano di Vigolzone, next to the long tree-lined avenue. From here, visitors can admire the splendid panorama and landscape of the Piacenza hills and valley, while also learning about the history of one of Piacenza's most illustrious citizens: Giulio Alberoni, his College, the artistic heritage it houses, and the Veano estate. Cardinal red is the color of the large bench awaiting travelers, tourists, walkers, cyclists, and the large community of bench-holders in Veano; red like the purple of Giulio Alberoni's cardinal's robe, which stands out in the most famous portrait for which the illustrious Piacenza native is recognized worldwide. It is the second in the Vigolzone area, after the one in Villò, inaugurated in 2022. https://www.ilpiacenza.it/attualita/installata-una-panchina-gigante-a-veano.html © IlPiacenza

Known as "il Gotico" to those who live in Piacenza, due to the presence of pointed arches typical of Gothic architecture, this historic building in the city center hosted the poet Francesco Petrarca in 1351. Today it opens to the public only on the occasion of events or temporary exhibitions.

Castello di Paderna, which has existed since the 11th century, was ceded in 1453 by the monks of the monastery of San Savino in Piacenza to the Marazzani family, whose descendants owned it. The complex has a trapezoidal structure surrounded by a moat that preserves the presence of water. Inside the moat, but isolated from the other buildings, is the keep, which has an independent entrance and was originally equipped with its own drawbridge.

Inside the church, it is worth paying attention to the frescoes by Gavasetti and Robert de Longe. Interestingly, some of them were transferred to the Municipal Gallery in Piacenza.

The Basilica di Sant Antonino is another beautiful church located in the historic center of Piacenza. This beautiful building with many interesting features is located in Piazza Sant’Antonino, a short walk from the cathedral and Palazzo Gotico. The Basilica di Sant Antonino was built in 1350 in the Gothic style.