Bobbio

Bobbio is a village located in Emilia, part of Emilia Romagna region, and more precisely at the Piacentina extremity of Val Trebbia. It is one of the most beautiful Italian hamlets and it is very close to the border with Lombardia, Piemonte and Liguria regions. So Bobbio is a “border village”.

Val Trebbia is embedded in the north part of Appennino chain and magnificent forests surround this valley. By means of the well-known Via del Sale (salt road), in the ancient past Val Trebbia had been a very important communication way to keep in touch the north part of Italy with the Liguria region, especially with Genova and his harbour.

Therefore Bobbio was a very important village especially in Middle Ages, and this is witnessed by the medieval town plan and three major monuments, namely Castello Malaspiniano, Abbazia di San Colombano with its convent, Cattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta.

Abbazia di San Colombano is awesome and under the altar floor can be visited the grave of San Colombano located in a magnificent crypt. Close to the abbey there is the convent where until year 1800, monks were still present.

The origin of Castello Malaspina is dated in XIII century, but its building was completely finished during XIV century by Corradino Malaspina. More of the furniture present in the castle rooms are not medieval, but the building has been well restored and kept. Furthermore from its last floor (fourth), there is a breath taking view of Bobbio territory.

In the centre of the medieval neighbourhood of Bobbio, where Piazza Duomo is located, there is the famous Cattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta called also Duomo. The construction of this magnificent and breath taking cathedral started in year 1014, but the building had been modified and renewed during the time, and its last updating was in year 1463.

So concluding this very brief description of Bobbio, in a nutshell it can be called the pearl of the Val Trebbia, and for sure it is a must to visit this hamlet.