In Italy there are numerous and characteristic medieval villages able to make the visitor lose in the mists of time, bringing to mind the memory of battles, castles and medieval festivals, rituals and more. In the province of Piacenza, in particular, there is a very characteristic medieval village of which we recommend a visit to everyone: Grazzano Visconti .
Located at the entrance of Val di Nure, in the middle of the Po valley between the hills and fields of Piacenza, Grazzano Visconti has a long history dating back to 1400, when Gian Galeazzo Visconti gave the kind concession to his daughter Beatrice, and her husband. Giovanni Anguissola, to build their castle in this very place.
Despite this, there are written documents that attest to the presence of the medieval village since 1300, but its real history begins with the episode previously told. It had to wait until the 15th century to start the works that, over time, would have led the medieval village to achieve its present appearance.
It all began with Giuseppe Visconti who took the responsibility of designing the landscape scene, the medieval residences, the shops but also the school of arts and crafts. Visconti’s intent was simply to give rise to a suitable setting for the castle built by his ancestors, but also to create work for the young people of the village who came out of the Grazzano Visconti school of art and crafts.
Currently the medieval village of Grazzano Visconti is able to attract tourists, enthusiasts and onlookers from all over the world: annually there are about three hundred thousand visitors . If today the village appears in splendid shape, as its appearance is the same as it once was, it is due to the spouses Giammaria and Violante Visconti who in recent years have undertaken to finance the maintenance work of the medieval village.
The Borgo di Grazzano Visconti has all the typically medieval elements necessary for it to be given the name of ” medieval village “: sculptures, frescoes, towers, battlements, wells, fountains and balconies. The first building built inside the medieval village is the Biscione Hotel, dating back to 1906, while the printing house which can still be visited today dates back to 1915.
The main square , with its crenellated tower and fountain, is one of the most characteristic areas of the village. Not to be missed, of course, along with the excellently preserved castle and the elegant surrounding park.
Grazzano Visconti is less than 2 hours from Milan and is therefore a perfect destination for a somewhat unusual trip among the beauties of our country.
Grazzano Visconti
Piacenza, Emilia Romagna
