Bicchignano: History, Views and Horse-Riding

Bicchignano brings together a range of interests: historic buildings and a parish church, a viewpoint below Passo del Bagnolo, a named route, and activities involving horses. If you’re looking for a hotel, you can start by considering which of these aspects you’d like to focus on during your trip.

History and religious heritage

The remains of Castello di Bicchignano are attributed to the Renaissance and are part of the architectural heritage. The Castellone fortress is also part of the area’s history: it was first mentioned in a document from 1043. The year refers to its first recorded mention, not necessarily the year it was built. The fortress was built to control the entrance to Val Nure; its ruins remain in Bicchignano.

Santa Maria Immacolata is the parish church in Bicchignano. The area’s cultural profile therefore has several distinct points of interest: the Renaissance attribution of Castello, the historical function and surviving ruins of the Castellone fortress, and the parish church. If you’re interested in local history, you can consider these buildings and their respective roles separately, rather than combining them into a single historical narrative.

Views and route

Bicchignano is a viewpoint just below Passo del Bagnolo. Le Antiche Vie, Route 6 – Viola, offers a different connection to the landscape: it follows Strada del Bagnolo to the hills of Bicchignano and Veano. The viewpoint and the route provide different kinds of orientation: one describes Bicchignano’s location below the pass, while the other follows a route to the hills around both places.

The Castello di Bicchignano can also be seen from nearby. From Villa Alberoni in Veano Cosolo, the remains of the tower are part of the view. The viewpoint in Bicchignano and the view of the tower remains from Veano Cosolo thus offer two different perspectives.

Horse-riding activities

Circolo Ippico La Favorita in Località Bicchignano di Vigolzone has an indoor riding arena and a show-jumping course. The La Favorita riding club in Località Bicchignano is open on weekdays and public holidays by prior booking. The “Scuderia e Fattoria Didattica” project at Agriturismo La Favorita gives participants an introduction to caring for and saddling horses. In the wider region, Circolo Ippico La Favorita offers rides in the hills of Val Trebbia.

These activities have different focuses: the riding arena and show-jumping course are specific facilities, the project introduces participants to horse care and saddling, and the rides take in the hills of Val Trebbia. When planning, you can therefore distinguish between a visit to the riding club, which is available by prior booking, the educational project, and rides in the surrounding area.

Choose a focus for your trip

Building and church history, viewpoints and routes, and horse-riding activities offer different ways to focus your stay. It’s especially useful to note the geographical distinction between the horse-riding activities: the riding arena and show-jumping course are located in Località Bicchignano, while the rides take place in the hills of Val Trebbia. You can use the interests that matter most to you to guide your search.

Discover more destinations: Cortemaggiore, Ferriere, Pianello Val Tidone, Piozzano, Bettola, Fiorenzuola Dʼarda, Nibbiano, Morfasso

For the broader travel overview: Piacenza.