In the upper Tidone Valley, not far from the Penice Pass, lies Romagnese. According to a legend handed down through the ages, the genesis of the town is linked to a historical event that took place many centuries ago. It is said that Romagnese originated from an encampment of Roman legionaries fleeing after the defeat at the Battle of Trebbia in 218 BC at the hands of Hannibal's troops.
After the defeat suffered by the Romans, some surviving legionaries would take refuge in this mountainous area, finding shelter and safety in its hills. Here they would set up a temporary camp, which later turned into a permanent settlement that, in time, would give rise to the village of Romagnese.
The village developed under the rule of the Lombards. It belonged to the Abbey of San Colombano and the diocese of Piacenza and had as lords the Landi family of Piacenza, from whom it passed to the Dal Verme family. During their rule they had a castle built, of which today only a wing consisting of a tower remains, the last remaining of the original four, which today houses the town hall and the Museum of Rural Art and Agricultural Instruments.
Romagnese, jewel of Italy
Romagnese, awarded in 2012 as one of the twenty-one 'Jewels of Italy' municipalities, is truly an enchanting place to relax surrounded by nature. Located in the picturesque Val Tidone, Romagnese offers a fascinating combination of forests and vineyards.
Two stops not to be missed are the Rivarolo Waterfalls and Casa Matti, where, among other things, there is a summer mountain board track, a sport that combines elements of downhill mountain biking with skateboarding.
The Pietra Corva Alpine Botanical Garden
The pearl of the village is the Alpine Botanical Garden of Pietra Corva: here, among conifers and beeches, a network of small paths winds their way between flower beds and rockeries, where one can admire plants that find their home in the ravines and niches of the rocks. Walking through the green woods, one can observe rare plants or plants from faraway places: about 1800 different species attract botanists from all over the world.
The architecture
The Dal Verme Castle has origins dating back to the early Middle Ages, but it was in 1383 that the feud was acquired by Jacopo Dal Verme, a well-known condottiere of the time. During the 14th and 15th centuries, the noble family decided to erect a new castle, replacing the previous building. Today it houses the Romagnese Town Hall. The castle tower also houses the 'Museum of Rural Art and Agricultural Instruments'.
The heart of Romagnese is the parish church of San Lorenzo Martire, which dates back to the end of the 16th century and was completed in the Baroque style.
Easter rites
Romagnese maintains a strong bond with its traditions. Every year, the Easter triduum is relived in the rite of the Galëina Grisa: it begins on Maundy Thursday with the procession following an anonymous hooded penitent carrying a wooden cross. It reaches Good Friday when bonfires are lit throughout the valley during the procession carrying the dead Christ until Holy Saturday, the day of the itinerant quest.
The brusadela
On the last Sunday in August, families bring the 'brusadela', a typical focaccia whose ancient recipe has been handed down from generation to generation, to the square for tourists. Romagnese delicacies also include excellent salami, torta sabiosa and brasadè, doughnuts first cooked in boiling water and then baked in the oven. sabiosa e i brasadè, ciambelle cotte prima in acqua bollente e poi infornate.
