AttArte
Bed & Breakfast

Travo

Ancient Trabanus, the current Travo dates from the prehistory.

The Neolithic Village is one of the most important archaeological site of the northern Italy. Open from march to October http://www.archeotravo.it/

In Roman era, Travo has been a very important cult centre which gave hospitality to the well known Minerva’s Temple, still under research.

The castle and the burg date from the XII century. Even if the castle has been modified to be a luxury residence by the count Giacomo Anguissola during the XVIII century, it preserves his medieval looking.

To visit: S.Antonino’s Church, dedicated to the patron saint, and S.Maria’s Church. Inside the Castle there is the Archaeological Museum of the Middle Val Trebbia, with prehistoric, roman and medieval objects and finds of the first settlements belonging to the Paleolithic and Mesolithic Ages.

Overlooking the valley, the big mountain of Pietra Parcellara, with his big stone on the top, with volcanic origins. www.comune.travo.pc.it   www.provincia.pc.it

Trebbia Valley

In 1945 Ernst Hemingway defined our Trebbia Valley as the “most beautiful valley in the world”.

Val Trebbia is one of the most suggestive valleys of our territory: mountains, rivers and streams, verdant hills and a rich plain. www.uppenninopiacentino.it   www.emiliaitaly.com

The thrill-seekers will have fun for sure: canyoning, kayaking and rafting floating downstream in the river Trebbia rapids, giving  the opportunity to discover the beauties of this valley from below where the river runs. If you are looking for relax you can lay in the sun on the river strands, surrounded by wild nature.

A golf club in the nearby, Rivalta, will offer you sport and elegance. http://www.croaracountryclub.com/  Children will have fun in Rivergaro waterpark with several waterslides and pools surrounded by green areas or sandy beaches or they will be excited by the adventure park. http://www.riverpark.it/  To know more about this valley, its landscapes, products and history, there are many castles and medieval burgs to visit, and important archaeological sites.

In winter time, the Mount Penice is a nice ski resort.

Surroundings

More than three hundred fortifications are present in our province: towers, fortresses, burgs surrounded by defensive walls and castles. Most of these are private properties and therefore cannot be visited. Others are opened to the public instead: not only guided tours, overnights and delicious tasting, but also medieval banquets in the summer evenings. http://www.castellidelducato.it/

Only 18 km far from Travo, Bobbio deserve to be visited: the main town of Val Trebbia. With his  Ponte Gobbo (the ‘hunchbacked bridge’), the high cathedral tower bells and St. Columban’s basilica,  Bobbio is a jewel of medieval architecture. In the summer nights the squares surrounded by arcades and the narrow medieval streets are animated by lights and music and many restaurants will give the possibility to taste the typical local food. http://www.comune.bobbio.pc.it/

Statto Castle is a private residence of the XVI century. Just a bit forward, Rivalta Castle, dating from the XI century, is a luxurious and elegant residence surrounded by magnificent parkland. Visiting period: from February to November. The burg is a wonderful place to have a walk in medieval atmosphere and eat in the nice taverns. http://www.castellodirivalta.it/

Agazzano’s  fortress, a successful synthesis between the austerity of medieval architecture and the elegance of the Renaissance residence, is open to be visited from april to October, as far as the beautiful Rocca d’Olgisio, one of the oldest fortresses in Piacenza area. http://www.roccadolgisio.it/

Grazzano Visconti, created at the beginning of the XX century by Duke Giuseppe Visconti of Modrone, assumes the form of an example of medieval burg with streets, balconies, buildings, statues, fountains, shops, restaurants. Open from march to November. http://www.grazzano.it/

Paderna’ Castle, with the austere profile, the strong walls and a still plenty of water moat make the visitors go back to past. Open from april till October. http://www.castellodipaderna.it/

Gropparello’s Castle is a magnificent example of the art of fortification. Inside there is the ‘Park of Fairy Tales’ where children, dressed as olden-day knights and accompanied by guides, rediscover the traces of the passage of fairies, pixies, elves, druids and witches. http://www.castellodigropparello.it/

In Val d’Arda, the burg of Vigoleno is another one of the most beautiful Italian burgs. Overlooking the Stirone Regional Park, it is characterized by battlemented walls surrounded by woods and vineyards. The whole architecture is Romanesque. http://www.comune.vernasca.pc.it/

The medieval burg of Castell’ Arquato,  also in Val d’Arda, is situated on the hills of the Piacenziano Natural Reserve, recognized as one of the most beautiful Italian burgs. The Visconti’s fortress, the Romanesque Church and the public buildings are still keeping the original looking. Open all year around. http://www.castellarquato.com/

The Archeological Site in Veleia, situated in Val Chero, was in the I century B.C. a Roman town. The archaeological remains tell that Veleia had the layout of the typical Roman towns. The spa, the shops and houses foundations are still visible. In the middle the forum, next to it the basilica and in a temple, a well and the amphitheatre. In summer it becomes a suggestive setting for theatrical pieces.