Sport, cycling and family activities amidst nature and 18th-century remains.
By Silvia Sperandio
Translated by Jack Davidson Walmsley
If you are thinking of taking a trip to Piacenza to get to know this beautiful city and perhaps spend a weekend there, you might enjoy a long walk in the northwestern wooded area of the Parco Papa Paolo Giovanni II della Galleana. The area of the MTB path and the wooded area on the edge of the western fence is very popular, with long, flat, well-marked paths surrounded by trees and meadows.
The whole area has recently been restored, as a heavy snowfall in December 2020 had damaged it and made it dangerous for passers-by.
If you are thinking of taking a trip to Piacenza to get to know this beautiful city and perhaps spend a weekend there, you might enjoy a long walk in the northwestern wooded area of the Parco Papa Paolo Giovanni II della Galleana. The area of the MTB path and the wooded area on the edge of the western fence is very popular, with long, flat, well-marked paths surrounded by trees and meadows.
The whole area has recently been restored, as a heavy snowfall in December 2020 had damaged it and made it dangerous for passers-by.
It was a major operation,” says the Councillor for the Environment, Paolo Mancioppi, “made even more complex by the serious consequences of the snowfall, which had made the area completely unsuitable for use, with damage to trees and landslides. With these works, which will be followed up with further improvements, we are restoring the north-west area of the park to full use by the citizens. Galleana Park is one of the main lungs of our city and it is our aim to make it safer and better cared for.
The Pope John Paul II Park is the largest city park in the municipality of Piacenza, measuring approximately 150,000 square metres and accessed from Via Giuseppe Manfredi. Opening times are from 9 am to 6 pm. Thanks to the many trees, it is shaded, making it an ideal place for running and outdoor sports activities even during the hot summer. The cycle paths are well maintained and the meadows offer the possibility of picnics.
There are also areas dedicated to dogs where they can run around safely. The Parco della Galleana is also ideal for families, where children can run freely and be in contact with nature while remaining in the city.
Walking in this park takes us back in time to the mid-18th century, when its avenues were beaten by Franco-Spanish and Austrian troops, forcing the city into a long siege. In some places, the remains of a gun emporium, military fort, war devices and defensive structures dating back to the 19th century are still visible.
Following the siege, fortifications were erected to defend the city and the Austrian barracks can still be seen today, owned by the Municipality of Piacenza, which acquired it from the Ministry of Defence in 2003.
