Piacenza
Piacenza (Italian: [pjaˈtʃɛntsa] ⓘ; Piacentino: Piaṡëinsa [pi.aˈzəi̯sɐ]; Latin: Placentia) is a city and comune (municipality) in the Emilia-Romagna region of Northern Italy, and the capital of the eponymous province. As of 2022, Piacenza is the ninth largest city in the region by population, with more than 102,000 inhabitants.
Piacenza
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| Comune di Piacenza | |
Francesco Mochi's 1615 equestrian statue of Ranuccio II Farnese, Duke of Parma, in the city's main square, Piazza Cavalli | |
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Flag Coat of arms | |
Location of Piacenza | |
Piacenza Location of Piacenza in Italy Piacenza Piacenza (Emilia-Romagna) | |
| Coordinates: 45°2′52″N 9°42′2″E | |
| Country | Italy |
| Region | Emilia-Romagna |
| Province | Piacenza (PC) |
| Frazioni | Vallera, San Bonico, Pittolo, La Verza, Mucinasso, I Vaccari, Roncaglia, Montale, Borghetto, Le Mose, Mortizza, Gerbido |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Katia Tarasconi (PD) |
| Area | |
| • Total | 118.46 km2 (45.74 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 61 m (200 ft) |
| Population (31-5-2020) | |
| • Total | 103,607 |
| • Density | 870/km2 (2,300/sq mi) |
| Demonym | Piacentino |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) |
| Postal code | 29121-29122 |
| Dialing code | 0523 |
| Patron saint | Antonino of Piacenza (4 July), Giustina |
| Website | Official website |
Westernmost major city of the region of Emilia-Romagna, it has strong relations with Lombardy, with which it borders, and in particular with Milan. It was defined by Leonardo da Vinci as a "Land of passage" in his Codex Atlanticus, by virtue of its crucial geographical location. This strategic location would influence the history of Piacenza significantly at several times.
Piacenza integrates characteristics of the nearby Ligurian and Piedmontese territories added to a prevalent Lombard influence, favored by communications with the nearby metropolis, which attenuate its Emilian footprint.
Piacenza is located at a major crossroads at the intersection of Route E35/A1 between Bologna and Milan, and Route E70/A21 between Brescia and Turin. Piacenza is also at the confluence of the Trebbia, draining the northern Apennine Mountains, and the River Po, draining to the east.
Piacenza hosts two universities, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Polytechnic University of Milan and University of Parma.