Piozzano between the Luretta Valley, churches and rolling hills

Landscape among fields, woodland and stone houses

In the middle hills, Piozzano’s landscape is characterised almost everywhere by well-maintained farmland, while coppice woodland dominates the higher hills. Small rural settlements and scattered houses, most of them built of stone, also shape the scenery. Many roads run along the ridges and offer sweeping views across the plain; in good visibility, the view reaches as far as the Alps. This creates a landscape in which fields, woodland and traditionally styled settlements are closely interconnected.

Churches and traces of the past

Piozzano and its hamlets are also well worth exploring from a cultural perspective. Only a few remains of Piozzano Castle, Castelvecchio, have survived. The churches in the hamlets preserve, among other features, Romanesque apses, corbel arches, portals with elegant biforas, wooden sculptures and valuable paintings. The parish church of SS Salvatore in Piozzano has a portal by the sculptor Paolo Perotti, who came from Piacenza. Monteventano is also home to a cylindrical keep connected to a fortification dating from the 10th century. Pomaro has a church of Romanesque origin, the remains of the castle survive in Montecanino, and the church of San Giovanni is located in San Gabriele.

On foot, by bicycle and along scenic trails

Piozzano lies on the Cammino di San Colombano, which runs from Switzerland through Lombardy to the monastery of Bobbio. The Cammino is a slow and sustainable tourism route that can be travelled on foot or by bicycle. There are trekking trails in the area around Piozzano. The starting point for the Anello di Torre Rizzi circular route is signposted from the Strada dei Giganti. Depending on your personal travel pace, you can give different weight to longer walks, short explorations and scenic impressions.

Local cuisine and special events

Piozzano’s culinary tradition includes DOP-certified cured meats. One local dish is “Duls e brusc”: chicken, turkey or pork is first boiled and then cooked in a sauce made from oil, lard, onions, vinegar, sugar and raisins. The Fiera del Miele is an annual event. At the fair, the exhibition “Manzareh” by the painter Shanez Tabatabai, about Persian gardens, was presented on 24 September. Also on 24 September, the exhibition of natural products from the Val Luretta in Piozzano was held for the 21st time.

Season and personal travel rhythm

According to the regional tourism website, spring and autumn are considered the best seasons to visit Piozzano. When planning your trip, you can therefore first decide what you would like to focus on: churches and surviving architectural heritage, trails and views, or local cuisine. When choosing your hotel or accommodation, this personal rhythm can then serve as a practical guide for planning your days.

Other places to help you get your bearings

For further orientation, you can also explore Castel San Giovanni, Chiaravalle, Fiorenzuola Dʼarda, Podenzano, Pianello Val Tidone, Carpaneto Piacentino, Bobbio and Perino.

For the higher-level travel overview: Piacenza.