Calendasco between the Po, pilgrimage routes and Roman traces

Calendasco has an ancient Roman-origin harbor on the Po, which made the town an important junction on the Via Francigena. This makes it a destination where the history of the river, the pilgrimage route and the historic townscape are closely interconnected. The combination is well suited to individual travel planning, in which not only individual sights but also routes, architectural forms and the character of the Po area play a role.

Via Francigena and the Po

The Via Francigena crosses the Po at the Guado di Sigerico and passes through Calendasco. On the Via Francigena, pilgrims are ferried from Corte Sant’Andrea on the Lombard bank to Soprarivo and then continue via Calendasco. This route makes the town interesting if you would like to plan a trip with a clear connection to historic routes and the crossing of the Po. Accommodation in Calendasco can therefore be selected according to the route and the river area, without requiring a particular location for your accommodation.

Roman traces in the landscape

A large section of the Roman centuriation and part of the ancient consular road are still visible in Calendasco. Both remains give the town a historical depth that is not limited to individual buildings but can also be perceived in the landscape. Anyone interested in history and the development of ancient transport routes will find a tangible connection here to the past of the Po region.

Castello, Gothic art and sacred art

The Castello di Calendasco is a trapezoidal fortified structure built of brick, with a moat. Its unusual geometric shape and the moat define the architectural character of the Castello. At the Castello di Calendasco, the public section was opened for special events, while the other section is a private residence. These different areas are useful to know when you want to place the building within your visit to the town.

Gotico is a palatial property in the vicinity of Calendasco. In the Chiesa di Santa Maria, the paintings date from between 1500 and 1600. Together, these two destinations offer a cultural perspective on different forms of architecture and art, ranging from a palatial property to paintings in a church.

Walking, running and cycling along the Po

You can walk and run along the Po embankments in Calendasco. The Po embankments are also suitable for longer cycling tours. This gives the river area various ways to make your stay active and enjoy it at your own pace. For your planning, you can choose between a shorter stay focused on walking or running and longer cycling tours, without having to attribute a particular sporting profile to the town.

Festivals and announced routes

The traditional Fiera del Po e del Pesce fritto takes place in Calendasco at the end of March. A cardio-protected route from the Po to the Via Emilia along the Via Francigena was announced in the municipality of Calendasco for September 24, 2025. Both topics broaden the perspective on Calendasco to include a traditional event and an announced route connection. When choosing a hotel or other accommodation, these highlights can help structure your personal travel planning between history, the pilgrimage route, the river area and a local event.

Discover more destinations

Morfasso, Oneto, Cadeo, Piozzano, Vernasca, Lugagnano Val D'arda, Ziano Piacentino, Castel San Giovanni

For the higher-level travel overview: Piacenza.