PIACENZA private tour: land of passage, as was called by Leonardo da Vinci

The guided tour of Piacenza starts from Palazzo Farnese which we will visit externally, one of the most important monuments of Piacenza, built in the 16th century by the Farnese Dukes who initially thought of it as a fortress but then transformed the palace into a sumptuous residence and today it is the headquartersof the Civic Museums.From here we begin to explore the historic center arriving in the most spectacular square, Piazza Cavalli, which takes its name from the two bronze horse statues of the Farnese Dukes, masterpieces of Baroque sculpture with Carrara marble bases and bronze bas-reliefs.

Overlooking the suggestive square is the particular Gothic Palace dating back to the end of the 13th century with a beautiful red marble portico. Opposite you will see the elegant Governor’s Palace in neoclassical style and on the facade you can see a sundial and a perpetual calendar. The guided tour continues with a visit to the Cathedral dedicated to Saint Maria Assunta and Saint Giustina with a two-tone façade, pink marble up to the height of the three portals and sandstone in the highest part. Inside the Cathedral houses its most precious jewels with paintings by artists of the caliber of Guido Reni, Procaccini and Carracci even if the greatest masterpiece is enclosed in the dome entirely frescoed by Guercino.

Next to the Romanesque style church stands the bell tower with the gilded copper angel statue on top. A few steps away we find another very important religious building for Piacenza, the ancient Basilica of Saint Antonino with a particular façade in Gothic-Romanesque style which we visit internally to admire the beautiful frescoes on the vault, the relics of the Patron Saint, a cloister dating back to

15th century and an entrance called Portico del Paradiso.

To embellish the basilica externally we find a large octagonal bell tower. The guided tour ends by admiring the architecture of the Municipal Theater built at the beginning of the 19th century by the same set designer as the Teatro alla Scala in Milan and with an elegant neoclassical style façade, considered one of the most beautiful Italian theaters and one of the oldest historic theaters in the world.

Included:

• Walking tour with licensed tour guide

Not included:

• Palazzo Farnese museum tickets
• Food and drinks
• Transfer service

What to bring:

• Comfortable shoes
• Water
• Sun hat on hot days

Meeting point:

• Piazza della Cittadella square (Palazzo Farnese museum entry )