Things to Do in Piacenza

A striking Romanesque cathedral built from pink marble and sandstone. The interior contains well-preserved 14th-century frescoes, including a massive Last Judgment on the counter-façade.

🕐 Mon-Sat 7:30-12:30, 15:00-19:00; Sun 7:30-12:30, 15:00-20:00

💡 The crypt is dim and cool — a good break from summer heat. Look for the giraffe fresco near the main altar; it's a symbol of the city.

A Romanesque cathedral with a striking pink marble facade and a large frescoed dome. Inside you'll find well-preserved 12th-century mosaics in the crypt.

🕐 Mon-Sat 7:30am-12pm & 4pm-7pm, Sun 8am-12:30pm & 4pm-7pm

💡 Head straight for the crypt — the 12th-century floor mosaics of zodiac signs are the real treasure, and there's rarely a queue. Free entry, but they ask for a small donation near the exit.

Piacenza's patron saint's church, a Romanesque building with a distinctive octagonal tower. Inside, look for the 12th-century mosaic floor and the crypt.

🕐 Daily 07:30–12:00, 15:00–19:00

💡 Enter from the side door on Via San Siro – you'll see the mosaics first before the main nave.

Piacenza's patron saint's church with a distinctive octagonal tower. The Romanesque interior feels ancient and quiet. Used as a prison in Napoleonic times; marks from chains are still visible on some columns.

🕐 Daily 7:30-12:00, 15:00-18:30

💡 The side chapel on the left has a wooden crucifix from the 1400s. Ask the caretaker (usually near the door) to turn on the light for a better view — he expects nothing but a grazie.

15th-century church with a notable choir area. It used to house Raphael's Sistine Madonna, now replaced by a copy.

🕐 Daily 7:30–12:00, 15:00–19:00

💡 Step inside the small cloister behind the church — it's often empty and peaceful, with a small garden.

Piacenza's oldest church, dating from the 4th century with a distinctive round tower. Inside, the Romanesque crypt and frescoes are well preserved.

🕐 Daily 08:00-12:00, 15:00-18:30

💡 Go mid-morning on a weekday to avoid wedding parties. The crypt often has a volunteer guide who can explain the 11th-century mosaics.

Piacenza's patron saint's church, a Romanesque building with a distinctive tall bell tower and an unusual octagonal crossing tower. The interior has frescoes and a calm, quiet atmosphere.

🕐 Mon-Sat 8am-12pm & 3pm-6pm, Sun 9am-12pm & 3pm-6pm

💡 Check the hours online before going — the basilica sometimes closes for weddings on Saturday afternoons. The small cloister garden next to it is a great spot for a quick sit-down.

Piacenza's cathedral, a Romanesque building with a striking striped marble facade. Inside, see the frescoed dome by Morazzone and the 12th-century crypt with relics.

🕐 Mon–Fri 07:30–12:00, 15:00–18:30; Sat–Sun 07:00–19:00

💡 The crypt is often overlooked – it's cool and quiet, with a modest collection of medieval stone fragments. Light a candle if you like.

A Romanesque church with a distinctive octagonal bell tower. Inside, the crypt holds relics of the city's patron saint. Fresco fragments and a calm atmosphere make it worth a quick visit.

🕐 Mon-Sat 7:30-12:00, 15:00-18:30; Sun 8:00-12:30, 15:00-19:00

💡 Go just before noon when the sun hits the rose window—it casts coloured light on the floor.

A contemporary art and performance space in a converted industrial building. Hosts rotating exhibitions of modern art, photography, and installations. Often has workshops or talks free to attend.

🕐 Wed-Sun 10:00-13:00, 15:00-19:00

💡 Check their website before visiting — some exhibitions are free but require a ticket (also free, just collect at the door). The café inside serves decent filter coffee, rare in Italy.

Housed in the massive Farnese palace, this museum complex covers archaeology, art, and local history. The highlight is the Etruscan bronze liver — a model used for divination. Also contains Caravaggio's 'Ecce Homo'.

🕐 Tue-Sun 9:00-19:00; free first Sunday of month

💡 Free entry on the first Sunday of each month. Go early (opens 9:00) to avoid queues. The archaeology section on the ground floor is less crowded than the art galleries upstairs.

A vast 16th-century palace housing civic museums. The archaeological collections and the Etruscan bronze liver are the highlights.

🕐 Tue-Sun 09:00-13:00, 15:00-18:00; Mon closed

💡 The museum is free on the first Sunday of each month. Otherwise €8, but the courtyard and exterior cost nothing.

A grand Renaissance palace housing art, archaeology, and the famous Farnese Blue – a 17th-century glass vial of dye. Usually €8, but free on first Sunday of each month.

🕐 Tue–Sun 09:00–13:30 (free day: first Sun 10:00–18:00)

💡 Arrive by 10:00 on free days – the queue builds fast. The archaeology section on the ground floor is surprisingly good.

A large civic museum housed in a Renaissance palace. Its collections include archaeology, paintings, and the famous 'Farnese Cap' — a carved blue glass cup. Normally €8, free on the first Sunday of the month.

🕐 Tue-Sun 9:00-19:00 (last entry 18:00); closed Mon

💡 Arrive early on free days to avoid queues; the ticket office can be slow.

A small modern art gallery with works by Giovanni Fattori, Umberto Boccioni, and a recently recovered Klimt portrait. The building itself is a 19th-century villa.

🕐 Tue-Sun 09:30-12:30, 15:00-18:00; Mon closed

💡 Free entry every Wednesday afternoon. Ask at the desk about the Klimt theft and recovery story – they have a short video. No photography allowed in some rooms.

A pleasant pedestrian path along the Po River, with benches, trees, and views of the water and the distant hills. Good for a relaxed walk or a picnic.

🕐 Always open

💡 Bring your own snacks and drinks — there's no bar on the path itself. Best in late afternoon for the light. The path gets busier on Sunday afternoons with families cycling.

A paved riverside path running along the banks of Italy's longest river. Benches, poplar trees, and views of the floodplain. Good for a short stroll or a picnic break away from traffic.

🕐 24 hours

💡 The path is flood-prone after heavy rain; check local weather to avoid muddy sections.

The main square with two grand equestrian statues of the Farnese dukes. Check the Gothic Palazzo del Comune and the Palazzo del Governatore. It's the city's living room.

🕐 24 hours

💡 Go just before sunset when the light hits the statues and the palace facades turn gold. Fewer crowds then.

The main square of Piacenza, dominated by two bronze equestrian statues of the Farnese dukes. Surrounding palazzos include the Gothic Palazzo Comunale and the Palazzo del Governatore. This is the city's living room.

🕐 Always open

💡 Go late afternoon when the light hits the statues. The cafes around charge double for sitting; stand at the bar for a €1 espresso.

The main square, dominated by two large bronze equestrian statues of the Farnese dukes. The surrounding Gothic palazzi, including Palazzo Comunale and Palazzo del Governatore, give the square its signature look.

🕐 Always open

💡 Go early morning around 8am to see the statues in low, clear light and avoid the midday crowds. The nearby Caffè al 25 offers cheap espresso at the bar.