カルパネート・ピアセンティーノでののおすすめグラベルライド

Castell'Arquato is located on the first hill of Piacenza and serves as the gateway to the Arda Valley. The village was founded around the 7th century AD; the first written records date back to that period. During the Middle Ages, the village was often the scene of clashes between Guelphs and Ghibellines and the center of disputes between the Scotti and Visconti families. In the modern era, it passed from the Visconti to the Sforza family, whose rule lasted until the 18th century, when the village became part of the Duchy of Parma and Piacenza. The village has retained a typically medieval appearance with many places of great interest.

Nice viewpoint to relax a bit or take a photo.

A wonderful stop. Both the church and the baptistery were open, and we were able to enter for a visit. It's worth a detour if you're in the area.

Across the ford

Suggestive place easily reachable

Central hub of the Piacenza mid-mountain, between the Nure and Arda valleys. From Prato Barbieri you can go down to Bettola, Morfasso and Gropparello. You can then go up to Passo Santa Franca, and from there reach Farini passing through Groppallo. Beautiful views guaranteed.

The Castle was first mentioned in a document from 1001. On this occasion, Bishop Sigifredo granted the Benedictine monks of San Savino (Piacenza) some land, including the area of the Castle. The building has a trapezoidal plan and has four circular towers. The first of the four towers dates back to around the year 1000, which only later became four. The Castle was often the scene of clashes and battles. In 1212, the Guelphs of Piacenza took refuge there, threatened by the Ghibellines of Visconti, but they were worsted because they were defeated later in two battles. In the fourteenth century, the Castle was inhabited by Gabriello Boccapiccina, then it passed to the Chiapponi family. When the Chiapponi family died out, in the eighteenth century they were replaced by the Scotti di San Giorgio, who profoundly adapted the building, transforming it into a stately home. At the beginning of the twentieth century, the Castle belonged for a short period to the Lombardi of Genoa; it was then sold to Eng. Giuseppe Manfredi, who had it restored by Prof. Camillo Guidotti. From 1930 to 1987, the building was owned by the Ursuline Mothers of Piacenza. Today, the Castle is used by the current owner as a venue for private events.

Very nice dirt roads, really recommended both in Gravel and MTB. Only a few sections are a bit rough.