Gazzola
Gazzola: the municipality in the Ligurian Apennines and the Po Valley
Gazzola is a municipality located in the province of Piacenza in Emilia-Romagna. Its territory is quite vast and extends between the low hills of the first slopes of the Ligurian Apennines, where the DOC wines of the Piacenza hills are produced, and the southern end of the Po Valley. The western part, including the capital, is located in the Luretta valley, while the eastern part is situated in the Trebbia valley.
The history of Gazzola
The territory of Gazzola has an ancient history. In fact, Paleolithic remains dating back between 100000 and 50000 BC have been found. During the Roman civilization, the area was the site of settlements such as the fundus Momelianus and Licinianus, which later became Momeliano and Lisignano. In 218 BC, the Battle of Trebbia took place, where Hannibal defeated the Roman army. In the Middle Ages, many monasteries acquired lands, and several fortresses were built in the area due to feudal struggles. In 1255, the Podestà of Piacenza ordered the destruction of the castles of Gazzola, while in 1302 the municipality was granted to Riccardo Anguissola by Albert I of Austria.
Gazzola and its modern history
In the fifteenth century, Rivalta Castle became the property of the Landi family and was later destroyed by Galeazzo I Visconti. In 1372, the castles of the area were occupied by the Pope's troops at war with the Visconti. In the seventeenth century, Gazzola became part of the Duchy of Parma and Piacenza, and in 1636, 6000 Spaniards besieged the village of Rivalta during the war against Odoardo I Farnese. The castle was then besieged again in 1746 by the Germans and in 1799 by Napoleon Bonaparte's troops.
Conclusions
Gazzola is a municipality with a long history characterized by dominations of different civilizations, wars, and feudal struggles. Nowadays, it is a peaceful and picturesque place that extends between the Po Valley and the pre-Apennine hills. The area is extremely fertile and produces high-quality DOC wines of the Piacenza hills. The area is great for outdoor activities and offers many opportunities for visiting tourist sites and tasting local delicacies.
