The best MTB trails around Ponte Dell'Olio

The Graffiolo Oak, also known as the "Quercione" or "Napoleon's Oak," is a centuries-old tree located in the municipality of Piacenza, near the farm of the same name. It is a monumental oak tree, protected and admired for its size and history, and is considered a "living monument."

Place of historical, touristic, architectural and cultural interest Via Castello, 6, 29019 San Giorgio Piacentino PC

@Roberto when my father-in-law Renato inherited it there was no violin inside; Since 2008 the heir Renato Casaliggi passed away and it was inherited by his son. Currently the tower is dilapidated and inaccessible due to time and neglect ...

The cross is cute

The Riva castle is a fortified complex located in Ponte dell'Olio, in the province of Piacenza. It is so called as it is located in the district of the same name in the town, whose name derives, in all probability, from its proximity to the Nure stream; the castle was, in fact, built on the right bank of the stream to control the passage along the Nure valley. Its location, near the point where the Nure begins to flow into the Po Valley, was strategic as it allowed control of the passage towards the sea: via the Aveto valley towards Liguria and via the Taro valley towards Lunigiana.

Traced route, sometimes fun single track among the trees, sometimes very wide dirt road

The Riva Castle, of typical medieval construction, dates back to 1277 as attested by the inscription MCCLXXVII fuit factum hoc castrum, carved inside the manor, and its construction is due to the Del Cairo family of Piacenza, who in 1323 handed it over to Anguissola, appointed by Duke Visconti in 1468, counts of the fiefdom. In 1567 they sold it to Duke Ottavio Farnese who elevated it to a marquisate and gave it to Paolo Vitelli, one of the captains in his service. In 1703 Riva passed to Cesare and Carlo Maggi and then to the Cusani of Milan. In 1778 it was sold to the Sforza Fogliani and then to the Scribani Rossi. Between the 19th and 20th centuries, the Roman prince Emanuele Ruspoli bought it, who completely renovated it in 1884, relying on the architect Angelo Colla, who was also responsible for the restoration of the Gothic Palace of Piacenza. The interventions are not limited to a conservative restoration, but involve a true reconstruction of the building in neo-medieval style which involves, among other things, the elevation of the keep and the creation of curtains and battlements. From Ruspoli the manor passed to the Fioruzzi family, and, therefore, to the current owner Sebastiano Grasso Camardi Polizzi.

The first documented news of the church dates back to 886, although the foundation of a sacred building on site could date back to as early as the 5th century. In 886 the parish church of San Giorgio was entrusted to the Cathedral of Piacenza, and later passed to the church of San Savino. The current building dates back to the 1670s, but in the following centuries it was remodeled several times. The Romanesque bell tower of the older church remains, in operation until 1920, when the new bell tower on the left side was completed and inaugurated. On the outside, the parish church is divided into three parts by a double order of pilasters, three portals crowned with tympanums give access to the interior. In the upper part of the wall, corresponding to the main portal, a beautiful fresco represents Saint George killing the Dragon.