Attractions and Places To See around Alta Val Tidone - Top 20

very scenic and fun road near Lake Trebecco

Hunchback Bridge or Devil's Bridge In the Middle Ages, the construction of a bridge was considered a miraculous feat. For this reason, the construction of such structures gave rise to many legends, often involving the devil: joining two places that God had wanted separated was seen by many as a "diabolical" work. According to an ancient legend, Saint Columbanus, a 7th-century Irish monk, was eager to bring the word of God to the people living on the other bank of the Trebbia River, near the town of Bobbio. The devil promised to build the bridge in a single night, in exchange for the first mortal soul to cross it. The saint accepted. That night, the devil summoned several little devils who assisted him in the construction work, holding up the bridge's arches. The demons were of different heights, and thus the various arches of the bridge were of varying sizes. In the morning, the devil stationed himself at the end of the bridge to demand his payment. But Saint Columbanus outwitted him by having his poor, suffering and very sick dog (some say it was a bear) cross the bridge instead of a man. The enraged devil returned to hell, but not before kicking his handiwork, which has been crooked ever since. It is said that the footprints of the unfortunate animal that served as a guinea pig still remain in the crypt of the Church of Saint Columbanus. The Hunchback Bridge, also known as the Ponte Vecchio or, more precisely, the Devil's Bridge, is a Roman structure that has undergone numerous renovations over the centuries. The structure above dates back to the 7th century, but traces of an older bridge, dating back to before Columbanus' arrival, have been found underneath. The bridge, characterized by its undulating shape, irregular arches, and relatively narrow carriageway, is 280 meters long and connects the two banks of the river through a complicated succession of 11 irregular spans, varying in span and height, creating an undulating path from one end to the other. The Bobbio Bridge, now used only as a pedestrian crossing, is the very symbol of the city of San Colombano, as well as one of the strangest and most original architectural structures in Italy. Source: Emilia-Romagna Region

enchanting place on a splendid panorama, there are on the crest of the rock some tanks with newts, unique animals

The Castle was first mentioned in a document from 1001. On this occasion, Bishop Sigifredo granted the Benedictine monks of San Savino (Piacenza) some land, including the area of the Castle. The building has a trapezoidal plan and has four circular towers. The first of the four towers dates back to around the year 1000, which only later became four. The Castle was often the scene of clashes and battles. In 1212, the Guelphs of Piacenza took refuge there, threatened by the Ghibellines of Visconti, but they were worsted because they were defeated later in two battles. In the fourteenth century, the Castle was inhabited by Gabriello Boccapiccina, then it passed to the Chiapponi family. When the Chiapponi family died out, in the eighteenth century they were replaced by the Scotti di San Giorgio, who profoundly adapted the building, transforming it into a stately home. At the beginning of the twentieth century, the Castle belonged for a short period to the Lombardi of Genoa; it was then sold to Eng. Giuseppe Manfredi, who had it restored by Prof. Camillo Guidotti. From 1930 to 1987, the building was owned by the Ursuline Mothers of Piacenza. Today, the Castle is used by the current owner as a venue for private events.

I arrive in Bobbio from a less busy road and with a beautiful view of Ponte

The oratory is beautiful

The Castle of Rezzanello appears mentioned for the first time in a document from 1001. On this occasion Bishop Sigifredo granted some land to the Benedictine monks of San Savino, including the Castle area. The castle has a trapezoidal plan with four towers that stand out from the corners and a large internal courtyard. The turrets have a round base, are elegantly slender and crowned by a projection supported by arches and covered by a conical roof. The same type of arches in double order creates a decorative motif in the attic. To adapt it to housing needs, numerous large windows were opened, regularly distributed on all the facades. Located in the center of a valley, it is surrounded by a splendid seven-hectare park with centuries-old plants, a fountain and streams. At the beginning of the twentieth century, the castle was transformed into a stately home. The new owner, Eng. Giuseppe Manfredi entrusted the intervention to the architect Camillo Guidotti who conducted it according to the late-romantic criteria then in vogue, altering the original design.

According to tradition, the oratory dates back to the year 1000 and houses the imprint of the Madonna's foot. The building, of extreme simplicity, has a gable roof; Inside there are traces of ancient frescoes.