San Nicolò
San Nicolò a Trebbia: the Piacenza hamlet
Have you ever heard of San Nicolò a Trebbia? It is a geographical hamlet located in Rottofreno, in the province of Piacenza, which, as of December 31, 2019, had 9266 inhabitants. But it is not just any inhabited center, especially if you are a football enthusiast: it is the birthplace of the famous Italian footballers and coaches Filippo Inzaghi and Simone Inzaghi. Who would have thought that this small hamlet would give rise to two Italian football champions? In this article, you will discover more about the history, geography, and monuments of interest of San Nicolò a Trebbia, a small gem in the heart of the province of Piacenza.
Physical geography
San Nicolò a Trebbia is located near the Trebbia river, which separates it from the city of Piacenza, just a few kilometers away. The hamlet is located at an altitude of 58 meters above sea level and extends for about 5 km².
Origins of the name
The toponym "San Nicolò" derives from St. Nicholas of Bari, to whom the parish church of the village is dedicated. The name "Trebbia," instead, derives from the proximity of the inhabited center to the Trebbia river.
History
The first information about the history of San Nicolò a Trebbia dates back to the studies of Pier Maria Campi, who traces the origins of the locality between the 7th and 8th centuries AD, a period in which Lombard settlements arose in the area. However, the first certain data date back to the Middle Ages and concern the church of San Nicolò, mentioned as a chapel of a "hospital" for the reception of pilgrims traveling to Rome on the Via Francigena. The church and the hospital of San Nicolò were granted to the Basilica of San Savino by Pope Innocent III in 1132, and their ownership was reaffirmed in a privilege of 1173 by Pope Alexander III. A parchment from 1244, kept in the archives of the church, testifies to the investiture, granted to the prior of the church and hospital of San Nicolò beyond Trebbia, of various lands located near the river. In 1799, the area between San Nicolò and Gragnano Trebbiense was the scene of a Battle of Trebbia between French and Austro-Russian troops, which forced the French to retreat towards La Spezia.
Starting from the second half of the twentieth century, the hamlet experienced strong demographic development due to its proximity to Piacenza and became a peripheral neighborhood of the city.
Monuments and places of interest
Church of San Nicola
The Church of San Nicola is the main tourist attraction of San Nicolò a Trebbia, dating back to the Middle Ages and underwent various renovations over the centuries. The current building dates mainly from the late eighteenth century and is in Baroque style. Inside the church, you can admire an ancient Serassi organ built-in 1819.
Villa Celli
In addition to the church, San Nicolò a Trebbia is home to Villa Celli, a noble country residence dating back to the eighteenth century. It was purchased by Count Antonio Soprani and then by Marquis Pavesi Negri. In 1889, it was bought by Cesare Celli, who started renovation works, adding a balustrade decoration on the eaves line characterized by the presence of five statues. A small tower was also added to the southeast margin of the building.
In conclusion, San Nicolò a Trebbia is a very interesting place with ancient history, surrounded by breathtaking landscapes, and with several monuments of great artistic and cultural value. If you decide to visit it, I assure you that you will not be disappointed: its beauty will conquer you.
