Piadena
Welcome to Piadena!
Hello everyone! Today I am taking you on a journey to discover Piadena, an Italian town in the province of Cremona, with a population of approximately 3417 inhabitants. The town is located east of Cremona and is in a strategic position, equidistant from Parma, Brescia, and Mantua. One of its peculiarities is being an important railway center, thanks to its station which is located at the intersection of the Parma-Brescia and Cremona-Mantua railways.
History of Piadena
But Piadena is not just a town to talk about in terms of economy and logistics, but also in terms of history. In fact, it dates back to prehistoric times, as demonstrated by various archaeological findings in the area. There are different theories about the etymology of its name, which could be derived from an Etruscan settlement or from the "castrum Platinae," founded by the Exarch of Ravenna in 686.
Piadena throughout the centuries
Throughout its history, Piadena has suffered various invasions and struggles between the Guelfs and Ghibellines. In 1306, it was burned down by the Brescian and Mantuan Guelfs, while in 1348 it was ceded to the Visconti, who strengthened its defensive system. In the fifteenth century, it was conquered by the Venetians, but soon returned to the Duchy of Milan. In 1494, the Sforza family feudalized it to the Sanseverino family, and the town was a fief of different families over the centuries.
During the seventeenth century, it was sacked during the war between the Count of Modena and the Spaniards. In the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, Piadena was part of the Lombard territory from the first Habsburg domination to the establishment of the Lombard-Venetian Kingdom. During the Risorgimento, the citizens of Piadena participated in the revolutionary movements, making a significant contribution to the cause.
Treasures of Piadena
Today, in the municipality of Piadena, we can admire numerous historic buildings such as the seventeenth-century Gerolimini former convent, which currently houses the town hall, and the eighteenth-century Magio Trecchi villa, which currently serves as a nursing home for the elderly. In the town hall, it is also possible to visit an archaeological museum that exhibits numerous prehistoric, Celtic, and Roman artifacts.
Piadena, a town based on agriculture
But Piadena is not just history and monuments, but also a town that is mainly based on agriculture, although there are also some food and metallurgical industries. It is a town with a strong personality and rustic and authentic beauty that will surely capture the heart of anyone who visits it.
In short, if you are looking for a small Italian town full of history and surrounded by nature, that still maintains its rustic and authentic beauty, Piadena is certainly the right place for you!
