Via Francigena from Piacenza to Aulla

Piacenza is a beautiful and charming town. Before setting off for Fiorenzuola tomorrow, visit the fantastic Palazzo Comunale (Gotico) if possible. Piacenza is also famous for its salted pork products, so it’s well worth trying their pancetta, coppa, and salami dishes!

Your first day of walking is a bit challenging as it is long, but it’s mostly quite flat with some gentle uphill walks. Along the walk, you will pass by a memorial for a young man shot dead in 1944 by the Nazis during World War II, which is very moving. This is a good spot to pause and reflect on your journey so far. Entering Fiorenzuola, you can take a much-deserved rest (and a big glass of wine!). The Collegiata de San Fiorenzo is a fantastic tourist attraction, built in the 14th Century, should you feel like doing some sightseeing in the town.

Today’s walk is shorter than yesterday’s, and you go through the beautiful countryside by fields and woods. There is some hillwalking too, but it’s quite easy to negotiate, before reaching Fidenza. While in the town, try to see the magnificent Duomo di San Donnino from the 12th Century and Palazzo Comunale. Also, remember to treat yourself to some local pizza or fritti before heading off for Medesano tomorrow.

Heading for Medesano, you will have a choice of two routes: taking the main road and walking by a lovely church (Strada Costa Pavese), with some uphill walking and viewing the impressive Castello di Costamezzano, or heading towards the Castello di Costamezzano directly on tracks and then tarmac roads. Afterwards, you have an easy walk by nice fields and woods leading into Medesano. Now in the town, you can relax and have a small glass of beer or wine. Once you’ve rested, and if you have the time, try to visit the fantastic Chiesa di San Pantaleone from the 13th Century.

Your walk today is a lot shorter than the previous days and is very easy. On the walk, you will pass by the striking Taro Valley. Although the valley is partially dried up, it is situated in the stunning Italian countryside, planted between woods, with mountains and hills seen in the distance. It is a sight to behold. Reaching Fornovo di Taro, you can visit the lovely Romanesque Duomo di Santa Maria Assunta, and have some pizza and a glass of wine.

The route for Berceto is long and is challenging, with a walk through a dried up river providing part of a tough journey. However, it is very much doable, and the sense of achievement you’ll feel upon completion will be second to none. Your walk also consists of stony tracks through lovely woods while passing by beautiful churches such as the Church of San Stefano in Terenzo. You will also have choices of routes to take to get to Berceto. Each route is different – one being more flat and the other hillier. Once you’ve reached Berceto, rest and eat some fritti or carbonara. Should you decide to do some sightseeing, the Church of San Moderanno, containing relics and treasury of San Remigio and San Broccardo, is definitely one to see.

Walking to Pontremoli is a bit tough today. There are gravel lanes, tarmac lanes, and hills to navigate; however, you can most certainly get through it. You will have different routes to choose from along the way to get to Pontremoli. The choice will depend on the weather and if you prefer a scenic route to a more straight-forward one. Your next route to choose from depends on a preference for a direct route with tough surfaces (such as: Cobbles, or loose stones), or a longer but easier walk gently downhill. You will eventually reach Molinello where you can stop for a drink and some food. Continuing on, you have a relatively easy walk into Pontremoli. Here, you can take some time to rest and recuperate. If you like, you can visit the wonderful Church of San Nicolo and the Duomo di Santa Maria Assunta. Also, try the local cuisine of the town – ‘Amor’ – a small cake with a creamy filling between wafers.

Your last day of walking is not too difficult. There are lovely churches along the way (such as: Church of San Giorgio in Filattiera) to brighten up the route. Arriving in Aulla, take a look around the town and visit the impressive Fortezza Della Brunella. Remember to also treat yourself to some wine and pizza. After that journey, you deserve it!

After breakfast we bid you farewell. If you didn’t get the chance already, the Abbey of San Caprasio is another popular tourist attraction in Aulla, and is one of the city’s oldest and most important buildings.