I’m
a sucker for the center of Piacenza…..the town was
founded in 219 bc by the Romans. The Romanesque duomo/cathedral
dates from the 12th century and has 3 pretty entrances,
frescoes by Guercino on the dome and a lovely rose window. The
Palazzo del Commune (town hall) called Il Gotico,
is a beautifully unusual building. Note the top storey in brick
and terracotta and the bottom half in marble. The Piazza dei
Cavalli (just in front of the square and palazzo) is so named
because of the two equestrian statues of Duke Alessandro Farnese
and Duke Ranuccio Farnese (sculpted by Francesco Mocchi). The
Gothic church of San Francesco is located on the Via XX
Settembre and dates to 1278. The PalazzoFarnese
(1558) is now the civic museum with Etruscan bronzes, paintings
from many periods, frescoes, glass, sculptures, pottery and ceramics.
The Galleria d’Arte Moderna Ricci Oddi has paintings
from artists of the 19th century and beyond. The mosaics
in San Savino (cathedral) are of interest (11th
century). Opposite the Teatro Verdi is the Basilica
di Sant’Antonio with interesting ornamentation, vestibule,
lanterns and a grand tower. Wednesday and Saturday are Market
days in Piacenza.
