Cupid was Piacenza...
This itinerary takes you around the hills of Piacenza, to find romantic sunsets in the historic villages and terraces overlooking the hills, where you can get lost in contemplation hand in hand.
The romantic tour starts from the Rivalta Castle, one of the most fascinating and best preserved castles in Emilia, located on the lower slopes of the hills of Piacenza, overlooking the river Trebbia. Its circular tower is unmistakable.
The first news about the village dates back to 1048; in the first decade of 1300 Obizzo Landi was lord and feudatory of the village, whose ancient and noble family owned it with alternate vicissitudes until the mid-1800s, when it became a branch of the Counts Zanardi Landi, who still live there.
The visit moves from the basement to the rooms set up, from the kitchen of the cook Giuseppe - the ghost of the castle - to the loggias, up to the tower, from which there is a panoramic view of the Trebbia river.
The village appears enchanted: gravel streets, low stone houses and, on one side, the garden of the castle and its imposing walls. The village also offers spa services, and both typical and elegant restaurants, where you can spend relaxing and romantic moments.
Leaving the village of Rivalta, the itinerary continues following the provincial road SP40, towards the hills.
As the road narrows, it gives way to fields and ancient broad leaf forest that covers the gentle slopes near the village of Croara.
Along the road there are small country churches, a large plot of land used as a golf club, the ruins of ancient castles (private, but visible from outside) and estates where the traditional wines of Piacenza are produced.
After about 10 kilometers (6.2 miles), you will arrive in the center of Pigazzano, in the Municipality of Travo. Taking the road on the left of the only restaurant of the village, you will reach a romantic panoramic terrace, where it is possible to get lost in contemplation.
After spending the night in Val Trebbia, it's time to head east: the next stop is the village of Grazzano Visconti.
The castle has existed since the end of the 14th century, but only in the early 20th century the eccentric personality of Giuseppe Visconti di Modrone transformed the surrounding village into a neo-Gothic village.
Winding streets, eclectic buildings, decorated with motifs that make them look like fabrics or made of simple bricks and pointed arches, sometimes with peculiar sculptures or frescoes, create the magical atmosphere of the village.
Next to the entrance of the old courtyard, which recalls the agricultural vocation of the territory, there's a sculpture representing a woman: her name was Aloisa. Her ghost appeared to Giuseppe Visconti di Modrone and he erected a statue of her.
According to the legend, Aloisa died from the lack of love from her husband. The custom is that young people in love, especially those unrequited, leave her small gifts as a sign of appreciation.
The afternoon is to be dedicated to Castell'Arquato, the “village of lovers”, where every year there are events for couples, such as the Cena Romantica (romantic dinner) and Calici di Stelle.
Its uphill road towards the monumental square, the walls of the fortress, the small gardens that overlook the hill, where you can sit on a bench to contemplate the landscape, create the right atmosphere to walk hand in hand and take some romantic shots.
The village and its museums are open all year round. Not to be missed: the spectacular Rocca Viscontea, especially at sunset, when the colors of the bricks create a warm golden atmosphere.
This place was the protagonist of a love story with a tragic ending, that of Sergio and Laura. He was imprisoned with the accusation of conspiring against the local lord, she tried to free him, but they were betrayed by a false friend. Once captured, the two lovers were executed. Only the companion of Sergio, called the Spadone, managed to escape and returned later to avenge the death of his friends by killing the traitor.
