Piacenza is situated in a strategic location in the Po Valley and this peculiar characteristic has been recognized since its Roman foundation.
This area has always been home to ancient populations, either temporarily or permanently. Even the Romans founded a city here because they recognised its strategic position. The names of some villages bear witness to the various passages: Zerba, for example, seems to derive from the Carthaginian presence at the time of Hannibal because of its similarity to Djerba (an island in present-day Tunisia).
Tips
The Piacenza area is dotted with archaeological sites:
Explorer's hat on and maps in hand and let's set out on Hannibal's footsteps. The Carthaginian leader came to Piacenza and fought against the Roman army close to the Trebbia river on December 18th, 218 BC.
To remember the battle, whose protagonists were the few surviving elephants that managed to cross the Alps, in the Municipality of Gazzola along SS n. 40, near the Tuna Bridge, there's a monument representing an elephant.
The battle probably took place in the area between Gazzola and Ancarano. These two places are on the two opposite sides of the Trebbia river, which delineate one of Piacenza's four valleys.
Tip
Before leaving to go to Travo, we suggest a short stop to have a glance at the river and browse Rivalta borough and castle.
Once at the town of Travo, following SS n. 40, along the river you'll find the Archaeological Park known as Villaggio Neolitico di Sant'Andrea.
It's one of the most important Neolithic settlements in northern Italy. In this park there's a network of well preserved buildings, which came to light during the excavations started in 1995.
Tip
As it is outdoors, the park is closed during the winter season (from November 1st to March 31st), but in the town the Archaeological Museum is always open at the weekends.
It's located in the Castle, a fortress built in the Middle Ages by the family Malaspina and then renovated by the family Anguissola.
Inside there are some finds coming from Villaggio Sant'Andrea and others probably belonging to the Roman Temple of Minerva Medica, the precise location of which is still a mystery.
Before the visit we suggest checking the events calendar, because they often offer workshops for kids.
It's the moment to leave Travo, move to SS n. 45 and get to the hills traveling along the elegant curves of this panoramic road.
Tip
Curiosity
Admire the bends of Trebbia River, which depict a sleeping elephant: the best point of view is along the SS n. 45 between Ponte Organasco and Confiente.
The sleeping elephant is called Surus, like the one who survived the Trebbia battle and brought Hannibal across the Apennines to the Trasimeno lake.
It was the greatest among Hannibal's elephants, maybe coming from Syria; the others were small African animals that didn't survive the continental climate.
The Boreca Valley is one of the most wild and marvelous of the Piacenza province, from a naturalistic point of view.
Curiosities
The legend says that a part of Hannibal's army founded a community here, which left to posterity names recalling some African cities. Zerba may come from Djerba, Suzzi from Sussie, Tartago from Kartago.
Another legend says that Hannibal, trying to get a bearing on the mountains, hurt his hand (Lesa mano) and after this event the mountain was called Mount Lesima.
Tip
Walking around in these places and following the mule track called “Strada di Annibale” (Hannibal's road) you'll feel catapulted into the past.
It takes about 1 hour and 40 minutes to reach Piacenza, the starting point for the third day of the trip.
To see
Last stop of this itinerary, after a well-deserved lunch based on salumi, pissarei, tortelli and local wine is the archaeological site of Veleia Romana.
To reach the site, take the road to Carpaneto Piacentino: following the directions you'll reach the rolling hills, where Veleia is located.
Just behind the church you'll find the entrance of the site, on the left there are the remains of the thermal area, while on the right side there are traces of houses. In the lower part, the area of the forum is easily recognizable.
Curiosities
The Borbone family, promoter of the excavation, took many remains to Parma, where they are still on display at the Archaeological Museum in the Pilotta. Not to be missed are the Tabula Alimentaria Traianea and the statues of the forum.
In Veleia some original pieces and some copies of the remains (i.e. Tabula Alimentaria) are on display at the Antiquarium, where there's also a special itinerary for visually impaired people, to explain the story of this place where Ligure and Roman culture came in contact and mixed.
