Nestled in the charming hills between the provinces of Piacenza and Pavia, Ziano Piacentino is famous for its production of fine wines.
Although the earliest traces of a settlement date back to the Stone Age, the village is mentioned for the first time in a will in 1029, preserved at the Bishop's Library of Bobbio. It was scenario of fierce clashes between Guelphs militias of Piacenza and the Ghibellines ones of Parma. The castle was first conquered by the troops of Pavia in 1242, while in 1312 it was plundered by those commanded by Francesco Scotti. Ziano became part of a fief under the rule of the Lords of Arcelli, then of the Piccinino, to return to the Arcelli in 1450. In 1467 the town was ceded to the Sforza Fogliani and between 1558 and 1576, the castle became property of Count Ascanio Sforza of Borgonovo. Finally ceded by the Camera Ducale Farnesiana to the Marquis Zandemaria, in 1691, the fortress was transformed into a noble residence.
Sites of Interest:
- the Castle of Vicobarone that, due to its favorable location, did not suffer the wrath of the raids of the troops of Pavia;
- the Fortress of Seminò, built before year 1000;
- the Castle of Montalbo, built in 1138, was refurbished several times, between 1215 and 1516. It features a hexagonal shaped plan, flanked by a Bell Tower;
- the Church of St. Columbano, inside which is preserved a masterpiece of the artist Scaramuzza;
- the Oratory of San Rocco (1625);
- the Shrine of San Lupo in the district of Albareto;
- the small Church of Torre, located in the district of Fornello, founded in the mid-XVII century as a private chapel of the Landi family and, later, became the main church of the small village.