Do you want to discover the true beauty of small Italian villages? In small villages, you will find beauty everywhere: in the landscape, in the people, in the traditions and in the food. Here's one!
Bobbio is one of the most beautiful villages in Italy: it is defined as the masterpiece of the Irish monk.
The village of Bobbio owes its fame to San Colombano who, in 614, decided to build a monastery in Bobbio. The Irish saint, remembered for having founded numerous abbeys and churches throughout Europe, was fascinated by the area where the village stood and settled here until his death. Around the monastery, a cultural movement developed in a short time that led the village to become one of the most prestigious European cultural centres for several years.
The village of Bobbio: where is it?
Bobbio is a small town in the province of Piacenza in the region of Emilia-Romagna. The city is built on the banks of the Trebbia river, and it's surrounded by the Apennines . The village of Bobbio won, in 2019, the annual award of the most beautiful village in Italy assigned by an important Italian television show.
How to reach it?
The most convenient way to reach the village is by car. There is no train station in Bobbio. Those who want to reach the village by public transport must arrive at the train station of Piacenza and from here reach Bobbio with the dedicated bus lines. Its strategic position makes the village of Bobbio the ideal destination for a day trip even for those arriving from Milan.
When to visit Bobbio?
Winter: we recommend visiting the village of Bobbio in the coldest months of the year for all winter sports lovers. Here it will be possible, after enjoying the beauty of the village, to reach the nearby ski area of Monte Penice (1460m), one of the highest mountains of the Ligurian Apennines. Here you will find a ski run, a snowpark and a few kilometers away, in Ceci Le Vallette, a track for cross-country skiing. Artificial snow will ensure that the slopes are always ready for fans.
Summer: we suggest a visit to the village of Bobbio in the warmer months for trekking lovers. There are many trails that cross the Val Trebbia giving wonderful landscapes to hikers. Here you can admire the beauty of the Apennines and the famous beaches of the Trebbia River. On the hottest days it will be possible enjoy a maritime atmosphere and also having the opportunity to swim in the transparent waters of the River.
What to see?
The village of Bobbio is a village rich in history that has much to offer to its tourists. We start our tour from Ponte del Gobbo, an irregular building of Roman origin that, legend has it, built by the Devil after a meeting with San Colombano. Obligatory stop to reach the historic center, the bridge, crossing the river Trebbia introduces tourists to the village of Bobbio. We continue with the main attraction of the village, the Abbazia di San Colombano. Dating back to 614, it was built by Colombano around an ancient church dedicated to Saint Peter. The current building, dating back to 1500, represents the period of transition between the Gothic style and the Renaissance. The central nave is the work of Bernardino Lanzani from San Colombano al Lambro. In addition to preserving the crypt of San Colombano, the Monastery is now home to the City Museum and the Abbey Museum. The Cattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta is also in the centre of the Piazza del Duomo. Consecrated in 1075, in Romanesque style, it has a fresco on the Annunciation dating back to 1400. For those more interested in art and history, we also recommend continuing the discovery of the village by visiting the Convento di San Francesco, the Castello Malaspina and the Palazzo Trecentesco.
