Religion, History and Legends
![The Valley of the Painters]( "The Valley of the Painters")
Perhaps there are not many who remember that the Vezzeno valley, quiet but fascinating, has often been chosen as a place of inspiration as well as rest by famous artists ....![The lovely Rosania]( "The lovely Rosania")
The Ghost of the Castle of GropparelloThere are those who swear they have heard her voice, others that they have seen her slim diaphanous figure merging with the light of the moon on the battlements of the castle ....![Carnival characters in Piacenza]( "Carnival characters in Piacenza")
The Carnival characters of the province of Piacenza are essentially four, Tullein and Cesira in the city, Vigion and Lureinsa in the country. They represent the traditional figures, crafty and scheming perhaps but bringing a smile to the face.
The Chapel of the Apparition was built in 1954 in the area called i Frati, near the former local prison, to celebrate the apparition of the Virgin in 1496.
In 1961 the small village of San Damiano in the municipality of San Giorgio Piacentino hit the headlines after a presumed apparition of the Madonna to a peasant woman, signora Rosa Quattrini.
In 1496 the Madonna appeared to a shepherd girl near an oak tree on the hill known as the Colle dei Frati near Bettola. News of the apparition led to the birth of a deeply felt popular cult.
The motto of Grazzano is an example of the sense of humour of the man who created it, the Duke Giuseppe Visconti.
A Union of Municipalities ante litteram, that reminds us of the independent spirit of the people of the upper and middle valley of the Nure.
The trade route that connected the Po valley to Liguria passed along the Nure valley, almost following the river bed. The name Bettola (inn) is a reminder of the importance of trade in the life of the town.
The story of the unhappy Aloisa, the friendly ghost that haunts the houses and castle of Grazzano Visconti.
Discover the area
Places to eat
Where to stay
Itineraries and guided visits
Events and Festivals
Traditions and Curiosities
