Piacenza

Piacenza is a city and comune in northern Italy, the capital of the Province of Piacenza in the Emilia-Romagna region. It lies in the Po Valley, at the confluence of the Trebbia and Po rivers, and serves as an inland hub for transport, commerce, and culture. The population is about 100,000 residents.

Historically, Piacenza dates to Roman times as Placentia, a colonia and important road junction. It developed as a medieval commune and later became part of the Duchy of Parma and Piacenza under the Farnese family. After the Napoleonic era, the area joined the Kingdom of Sardinia in 1860 and became part of unified Italy.

Landmarks in the historic center include the Piacenza Cathedral (Duomo), the Baptistery of San Giovanni, the Palazzo Gotico, and the Palazzo Farnese. The Basilica of Sant’Antonino holds religious and regional significance. The city houses museums such as the Civic Museum and the Ricci Oddi Gallery of Modern Art, reflecting its artistic and historical heritage. Local cuisine is notable for meat products and cheeses from the surrounding area, including culatello and other salumi associated with the Piacenza–Parma region.

The economy combines manufacturing, agribusiness, and logistics, supported by its position in northern trade networks and its road and rail connections. Piacenza remains a regional administrative and economic center, while attracting visitors with its compact historic core and cultural offerings.