This small medieval village is located along the river Trebbia, a few kilometers from Piacenza, among the hillsides covered with vineyards.
The fortified borough around the castle still has its original medieval structure.
The watchtower dating from the 11th century welcomes visitors into the village, where you can find cafes, restaurants and the parish church of Saint Martin, dating back to the 15th century, and obviously the castle built in the Middle Ages.
Every season is a good one to visit Rivalta. A special moment is New Year's Eve, with fireworks illuminating the Trebbia river.
The castle of Rivalta is easily recognisable by its beautiful tower with an unusual crowning, which dominates the Trebbia river and the skyline of the village.
This castle, with others in this territory (Statto, Montechiaro and Rivergaro), was constructed here to watch over the entrance into the Trebbia Valley, part of the ancient Caminus Ianuae, an important road of communication going towards Genova and the sea.
The fort dates back to the 11th century; it belonged to the Malaspina family and in the 14th century became a Landi property until the late 19th century when it passed to the Earls Zanardi Landi.
The rich manor, still a private property, is surrounded by a magnificent park and has had among its usual guests the British royal family.
The castle is open to visitors. It's associated with the Castles of the Duchy of Parma and Piacenza.
You have here the chance to admire many rooms with original furniture from the 16th to 19th century and a room dedicated to the Lepanto battle, in which many local noble families took part. During the visit, from the top of the tower you can enjoy an incredible view over the plain of the Trebbia river and the hills.
In the castle there is a ghost: the cook Giuseppe apparently wanders from the kitchen to the weapon room.
In Rivalta there are some restaurants that offer local cuisine in a sumptuous atmosphere, with wooden framed ceilings and ancient fireplaces. Here you can taste traditional meals such as: tortelli con la coda (pasta wrapped round ricotta and spinach and twisted at the ends), pissarei e fasö (small pasta with beans), anolini (pasta stuffed with meat), cured meats (salame, coppa and pancetta piacentina PDO), roasted pork and beef, all with a bottle of the Colli piacentini wines, especially the celebrated Gutturnio Doc. In fact, Rivalta is located along the road Gourmet Food and Wine Trail of Colli Piacentini.
The golf course of Croara Country Club is only 2 km away from here, and offers 18 holes perfectly maintained, overlooking the fascinating scenery of the river, with technical fairways, bordered by oak, chestnut and poplar trees.
In the village there is a wellness center.
In the surrounding areas there are cycling routes and paths for horseback riding.
It's also possible to play golf at Croara Country Club.
The village is completely closed to traffic, so there is a free car and bus park at the entrance. The streets are covered with cobblestones.
In the nearby Nure Valley you can reach the fascinating neo-medieval village of Grazzano Visconti (17km). Driving the panoramic road SS 45 of the Trebbia, you can reach in about half an hour Bobbio (30km) where you can visit the Saint Columbanus’s Abbey and the Ponte Gobbo (hunchback bridge).
In the near Luretta Valley there is the Castle of Agazzano (7km) and from here you can drive towards Pianello Val Tidone (20km) through the hillsides covered with vineyards of the Tidone Valley, and finally reach the Rocca d’Olgisio (26 km), a fortress placed on the top of the hill from where you can have one of the best views over the Apennines. All those castles can be visited and are associated with the "Castles of the Duchy of Parma and Piacenza".
