Identity: the Firstborn, a land of passage on the Po
The municipal statute recalls 18 May 1848, when Carlo Alberto proclaimed Piacenza "Firstborn of the Kingdom of Italy" after the plebiscite for annexation to Piedmont. Coat of arms and banner recognised in 1938, the title of City. An identity as a place of passage between four regions, on the Via Emilia and the Via Francigena.
Sections: Geography · History · Population · Languages · Time zone · Public holidays
The Firstborn
The preamble of the municipal statute, approved by the city council on 21 February 2022, recalls that Piacenza was proclaimed "Firstborn of the Kingdom of Italy" by Carlo Alberto on 18 May 1848, after a popular plebiscite had approved annexation to Piedmont. The municipality bears the title of "City"; its coat of arms and banner are those recognised by decree of the Head of Government of 27 September 1938, and the banner accompanies official ceremonies escorted by the local police.
A land of passage
The image the city gives of itself is that of a place of transit: founded on the banks of the Po, where four regions meet, a medieval stopover for princes, pilgrims, crusaders, Templars, merchants and artists. The official tourism site quotes Leonardo's line from the Codex Atlanticus, "Piacenza is a land of passage". The Via Emilia had its end point here and the Via Francigena still crosses the area.
Food
Food is part of the identity: coppa, salame and pancetta, the red Gutturnio wine and tortelli con la coda are the dishes and products the tourism site names as typical.
Data
Sources
Updated: 2026-10-14
Updated: 2026-10-14
Updated: 2026-10-14
Reviewed: 10/22/2026 · by piero.avolio · rev. 1 · Period: → 2027-10-13
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