Fiorenzuola (3-4-2-1): Cabrini; Ronchi, Lomolino, Bran; Sementa, Russo; Oboe. Subs: Ansaldi, Ceravolo, Lori, Acampora, Fontana, De Simone, Peretti, Rota. Coach: Cammaroto. Prato (3-4-1-2): Fantoni; Giusti, Conson, Diana; Limberti, Mazza, Rossi Alessio, Girgi; Cozzari; Barbuti, Pereira. Subs: Gariti, Galliani, Sepe, Scarafoni, Danesi, Di Stefano, Remedi, Robi, Magaz. Coach: Mariotti. Referee: Mirko Palaia from Pavia, assisted by assistants Gerardo Graziano from Vicenza and Sara Silvestri from San Benedetto del Tronto. Goalscorers: Girgi in the 47th minute and Pereira in the 58th minute. All this, in fact, after firecrackers and smoke bombs had rained down on the pitch, which had already been thrown by the Wool ultras right at the start of the match, with the referee forced to suspend the match for 10 minutes and the teams forced to return to the changing rooms to stay there for about 10 minutes, and again during the first half. The behavior of their supporters, invited both by the head of the police station and by the white and blue footballers to stop throwing firecrackers and smoke bombs, will cost, in addition to the default defeat, also a fine to the club of president Stefano Commini. But not only that, because around the corner there could be other measures such as the disqualification of the pitch, to be served at this point in the next championship. The worst way, in short, to end the tournament and which ruins all the good done by Mariotti's team in the first 63 minutes of play. A truly bitter ending. Against Fiorenzuola, already relegated to Excellence, the Prato It takes him a while to get going, but when he does - that is, at the end of the first half - he forces Cabrini to work with Barbuti's header and then breaks the deadlock in injury time with Girgi's goal, well set up by Mazza. At the start of the second half, Barbuti once again calls the opposing goalkeeper into action and then Pereira scores, taking advantage of Lomolino's mistake and beating Cabrini. All before the sad epilogue. by /// February 7 A big celebration combining the sacred and the profane that cheers up young and old with confetti Carnival in Emilia-Romagna is a serious matter, so much so that the Region has set up a register of historical Carnivals with the aim of enhancing these important events. The list currenly includes 18 Carnivals, unique experiences featuring shows and events of all kinds Let’s have a look at them one by one In Fiorenzuola d’Arda (Piacenza) the Mardi Gras celebration is known as Zobia and its tradition dates back to the Middle Ages The historic Carnival of Zobia owes its uniqueness to the parades of actors who perform engaging shows around the town often in dialect and strictly without masks The parade of handcrafted floats ends with the unmissable prize-giving ceremony and a big party Info ‘Castlein‘ is the typical mask of the Carnival in Castelnovo di Sotto that parades through the streets of this little town close to Reggio Emilia under the festive gaze of young and old alike Castlein is the icon of a Carnival whose origins date back to 1885 He is not the only highlight of the festival though The event includes the traditional parade of floats and the presence of jugglers, clowns, children’s make-up artists, street performers and much more. Also not to be missed is the Carnival Mask Museum which houses no less than 222 handcrafted masks Info Masked parades, theatre shows, lots of games for children, as well as music and good food. That’s the Carnival of the Contrade in San Cesario sul Panaro San Cesario’s is a rather recent festival compared to other historical carnivals in the region (the first edition was held in 1983) Masked adults and children gather every year at the Palacarnevale Info In addition to being one of the oldest carnivals in Emilia-Romagna, the Historical Carnival of San Giovanni in Persiceto recently submitted its candidature as a UNESCO intangible cultural heritage this Carnival certainly has a lot to offer in terms of entertainment and special effects He is a lively and resourceful peasant with brusque manners inspired by the character of the same name created by the writer Giulio Cesare Croce who inaugurates the Carnival by reciting a rhyming dialectal composition called zirudèla However, Bertoldo’s presence is not the only thing that makes the Persiceto Carnival so unique The floats that line the streets of the town are not traditional ones: their peculiarity is called Spillo and consists in the change of their structure during the event the floats undergo a carefully devised transformation There are teen companies competing during the Carnival but only one receives the coveted final prize from the jury Info When it comes to awards, the Carnival of Cento holds the record in the region Twinned with the Carnival in Rio de Janeiro and a candidate for UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage the most important event in the town of Ferrara is also one of the longest-lived carnivals in Europe parades and dances in the streets of the city Cento boasts a long tradition in the art of papier-mâché cultivated by no less than five carnival associations The Carnival programme naturally includes an award ceremony for the most impressive work The beginning and end of the celebrations is marked by the figure of Tasi the typical local Carnival mask wearing a top hat and a white fox who is burnt at the end of the event in the Piazzale della Rocca during the traditional rite of the Tasi’s Last Will and Stake Info Another historical Carnival in Emilia-Romagna takes place not far from Cento or Carnevel d’la Piv as it is known in the local dialect jugglers and children’s make-up artists the typical Pieve Carnival mask inspired by a real-life character We need to go back in time to the mid 19th century to find out more about his identity a gourmand and a member of the society that organised the first Carnivals the jovial Barbaspein cheers up the festivities along with the colourful floats that travel through the town Info The protagonist of San Pietro in Casale’s Carnival is also inspired by a real-life character with the curious name of Sandròn Spaviròn who over time has become the official mask of the event in San Pietro in Casale Carnival ends with the reading of the will and the burning of the mask a very evocative show that rounds off the cheerful days of celebrations and their dances parades and other events dedicated to families Info In Pianoro Here in the Bolognese Apennines the creation of allegorical floats has become to all intents and purposes an art form handed down in schools and celebrated every year during the most colourful festival of all Much attention is also paid to the creation of the masks inspired by historical characters you cannot miss the traditional parade of floats Info Info In addition to the parade and prize-giving for the Fantaveicoli the Imola Carnival includes a parade of fancy-dressed teams and a competition dedicated to children and their bicycles Info In Borgo Tossignano (Bologna) the usual carnival celebrations are combined with good food two gastronomic festivals are held in memory of a historical event dating back to the 17th century Today’s “Sagra dei Maccheroni” and “Festa della Polenta” recall the time when Marquis Leonardo di Sermoneta had a plate of polenta distributed to the citizens to celebrate the last day of Carnival you can watch the parade of floats (also with a culinary theme) and many other shows Info The history of the San Lazzaro in Borgo Carnival, held in Borgo Durbecco neighbourhood in Faenza It is said that two weeks before Easter the inhabitants of the village would bring a gift of sweet tortelli and saba (grape syrup) to the sick in the leper hospital The sweet tortello with saba still remains the symbol of the Faenza feast which includes a rich programme of events such as the parade of floats and masked groups Info The Carnival in Conselice has already celebrated its first centenary the event owes its name to an anecdote with ancient origins The day dedicated to San Grugnone (“e’ dè d’ Sén Grugnõn”) is said to be Ash Wednesday A day that was therefore greeted with a grimace of sadness – indeed a grunt – because of the hardships it brought with it the puppet of St Grugnone is carried through the streets of the town together with the ever-present floats Info Among the Carnival festivals in Emilia-Romagna, the Carnival of Casola Valsenio is the only one that defines itself as ‘serious’ the period in which it takes place is not that preceding Lent Carnival in Casola dates back to 1891 as the Festa della Mezzaquaresima a day when pre-Easter rigour was put aside to unleash the joy of dressing up the floats parading during the Spring Festival – usually made of wood and plaster – are inspired by history politics and current events rather than carnivalesque satire Info Like the Casola Valsenio Carnival, the Cotignola Carnival represents a playful and joyful interlude during the Lenten period Tradition has it that in 1451 the Duke of Milan Francesco I son of Muzio Attendolo Sforza of Cotignola who was then punished by being burnt at the stake The Duke allowed his subjects to break the rule and celebrate Carnival in the middle of Lent in order to celebrate the happy event That is why even today at the end of the festivities people gather in the square for the burning of a big papier-mâché puppet depicting the so-called ‘Old Woman’ Info Since 1962, this Carnival has taken place against the backdrop of the rolling hills of Romagna, between the cities of Forlì and Cesena. The Historical Carnival of Civitella di Romagna is organised by the Civitella di Romagna Carnival Association in the month of February featuring parades of disguised groups and travelling shows more and more attention has been paid to papier-mâché creations the most commonly used material for the creation of floats Info The history of the Forlimpopoli Carnival – again an event held at the beginning of Lent – has its roots in rural civilisation The historical name ‘Fiera della Segavecchia‘ (Segavecchia Fair) The ‘old woman’ (vecchia in Italian) was actually a young pregnant woman In order not to be recognised on the way to the gallows she would disguise herself as an old woman the Carnival programme includes a fun fair as well as parades of floats and masked processions Info The list of historical Carnivals in Emilia-Romagna ends with the Carnival of Gambettola (Forlì-Cesena) celebrations are held on Easter Monday and the following Sunday dancing and the throwing of sweets for the little ones the town is decorated with Romagna-themed prints papier-mâché masks hanging from houses and Carnival flags since 2009 the town of Gambettola has had a workshop and a school dedicated to this precious material for Carnival celebrations Info I was raised in the countryside but I love big cities by /// January 15 by /// January 29 by /// February 4 an email (in Italian) with selected contents and upcoming events For information, contact us: inemiliaromagna@aptservizi.com CONTACTS Web site network was merged into the company World Duty Free S.r.l was transformed into a joint-stock company with the name World Duty Free S.p.A..  Download the document       Go to the website Artistic and architectural beauty spots to visit in the area surrounding Autogrill's new Bistrot Fiorenzuola d’Arda Medieval villages perched on hills and preserved intact over the centuries labyrinths of bamboo canes surrounded by cultural and exhibition areas royal apartments and world famous Romanesque architectural masterpieces: Autogrill's new Fiorenzuola d'Arda Bistrot is located halfway between Parma and Piacenza a few kilometers from some of the most beautiful cities of art and Italian tourist attractions Here are some tourist destinations that you can visit during your next trip The majestic architecture of the Cathedral and the Palazzo Comunale in Piacenza Piacenza boasts a rich architectural heritage accumulated since the Middle Ages An important example of Romanesque architecture in Italy the Cathedral of Piacenza is home to the first sculpture by the medieval artist Niccolò one of the most important master sculptors of that time known as Il Gotico (The Gothic) because of its architectural style imposing residence of the Ducal family and now home to the city's museums stand out as examples of civil architecture  The impressive fortress of Castell’Arquato is home to a well preserved medieval village Among the most important historic buildings are the Palazzo del Podesta and the Rocca Viscontea an imposing fortress which dominates the top of the hill and was for centuries the seat of military garrisons Today the fort is a museum dedicated to life in the Middle Ages With an orange flag certification from the Italian Touring Club Vigoleno is a rare example of a fortified medieval village which has survived intact to this day with a panoramic wall-walk (chemin de ronde) that is still accessible today it is home to museum rooms inside the keep tower where historical and photographic documentation is exhibited  The antique bridge of Bobbio with its curious irregular shape so-called because of its irregular shape resulting from the differing height of the spans It is believed to date back to Roman times although it has undergone various interventions and restoration over the centuries; In the Middle Ages several legends linked the construction of the bridge to a clash between the Devil and Saint Colombanus The largest maze in the world in Fontanellato The largest maze in the world is found in Fontanellato star-shaped and formed by hundreds of thousands of bamboo plants covering an area of seven hectares There are cultural and exhibition spaces in the buildings situated inside and outside the maze the Labirinto della Masone was built by the publisher Franco Maria Ricci who was inspired by the famous Argentine writer The combination of Roman and Gothic architecture in Parma Parma is rich in monuments built over the course of its history because of the city's important lyrical tradition an exemplary example of Romanesque architecture which houses the Deposition of the Cross by Benedetto Antelami and and the adjacent Baptistery by Antelami which combines Romanesque and Gothic architecture both occupy a prominent place among the most famous monuments of Parma The unusual construction of  Villa Pallavicino in Busseto for centuries the home of the family of the same name is  assumed to have been designed by Bramante or Vignola it is located at the center of a square-shaped artificial island In the Baroque era decorations were added to the facade featuring cornices and rococo plasterwork and the adjacent Palazzo delle Scuderie (Stable Palace) was built Today the Villa houses the Museo Nazionale Giuseppe Verdi The apartments of the Royal palace of Colorno which also boasts an extensive French garden was built in its present form in the early eighteenth century and has hosted many noble families Today it houses temporary exhibitions and cultural events and some parts of it  are upkept for viewing including the Ducal Apartments and the neoclassical Chapel of San Liborio The Romanesque architectural complex of  the San Donnino Cathedral is best known for the rich sculptural decoration of its facade made up of numerous bas-reliefs and some statues by the aforementioned Antelami and his school The thermal waters of SalsomaggioreAlready known in antiquity the mineral rich thermal waters of Salsomaggiore were recognized as having healing properties in the nineteenth century giving rise to the creation of various thermal baths which today are still up and running thanks to recent renovation and expansion Our journey in the surroundings of Fiorenzuola d'Arda concludes here but we invite you to discover the many other cultural marvels in the area and stay tuned: the journey on the discovery of Bistrot Fiorenzuola d'Arda's territory continues Located in the upper Val Taro on the Parma Apennines are the Riserva Naturale Regionale (Regional Natural Reserve) and WWF Oasis of Ghirardi which extends over six hundred hectares of woods and meadows and is home to numerous plant and animal species Autogrill is the world’s leading provider of food & beverage services for travellers. The Group is present in 30 countries on 4 continents operates in about 774 locations managing about 3,300 points of sale with about 46,000 employees and is present in 139 airports Per utilizzare AccessiWay devi prima accettare i cookie statistici Via Francigena 👣 22 km on foot – Saturday 14 August We were joined today by our friends from Fiorenzuola in Movimento who are the “trail angels” for this part of the route This means they take care of general maintenance and signposting among other things and indeed they were equipped with Via Francigena stickers to be placed in areas where old stickers had disappeared as a result of the elements or where it simply wasn’t 100% clear which way to go These local “trail angel” associations are the cornerstone of the Via Francigena They dedicate their free time voluntarily to the enhancement and maintenance of the itinerary and it has been a true pleasure walking with several of their representatives Along the way today some moments of refreshment were planned A short stop at the Abbey of Chiaravalle della Colomba brought some solace from the heat thanks to the municipality of Alseno who had arranged some fresh water and fruit for us Just before Castione Marchese we were welcomed with open arms by Massimo a local citizen and Via Francigena enthusiast who lives right along the itinerary and who often offers pilgrims some fresh water and in our case even some focaccia with an aperitif (at 10:30 in the morning After this second stop it was rather hard to start walking again a 45-year-old lady who suffers from cystic fibrosis just like our pilgrim friend Alessio who we met in France and Switzerland Valeria had both of her lungs removed and transplanted only 4 years ago An amazing story of strength and willpower that we keep on encountering along the road Upon arrival in Fidenza we were met by the city councilor and a film crew from the regional news channel After some interviews and a refreshing shower we had a great dinner among friends after which we each went to sleep in preparation for yet another day in the Italian summer sun tomorrow Today was also the day we said goodbye to our videomaker Giulia who has been with us for two weeks since departure from the Great St – Finishing today’s stage despite the burning heat – Warm welcome by Massimo in Castione Marchesi Massimo & Daniele (@walkingforcharity & @il_cammino_per_salus_pueri) F.A.Q © Associazione Europea delle Vie Francigene | C.F. 91029880340 – P.IVA 02654910344 Powered by ItinerAria Privacy | Cookie Policy  | Legal Notice  © Associazione Europea delle Vie Francigene | C.F Powered by ItinerAria Please enable JS and disable any ad blocker “One of the most significant icons of modernity” Autogrill Pavesi of Fiorenzuola d’Arda was the first motorway service area restaurant to be built on a bridge in Europe and is still one of the most iconic symbols of the modernization of our country and of the economic miracle In 2016 the same Autogrill will again play a leading role in a “great change” in on-the-road catering Autogrill Fiorenzuola d’Arda is located on the Autostrada del Sole (A1 Motorway) a vital artery that connects the Country from Milan to Naples located in a strategic position in the heart of the Po Valley was chosen in the 1960's as the junction point that connects the A21 motorway with the A1 Hence not only does a double flow of travelers meet here but also two important culinary traditions 1959: from America to the Autostrada del Sole designer of the service area restaurant of Fiorenzuola d’Arda got the idea of building a bridge-style restaurant– nicknamed by him “transatlantic” - during a trip to the United States of America where this type of structure had already existed for several years A double thread links the history of the service area restaurant to America: a decade earlier Mario Pavesi also got the idea and the name for his service area during a trip to the USA small restaurants scattered along the American interstate highways On 31st December 1959 Autogrill Pavesi of Fiorenzuola d’Arda was inaugurated in the presence of then Undersecretary Oscar Luigi Scalfaro as well as Mario Pavesi and Angelo Bianchetti The presence of political or ecclesiastical authorities was then the norm at the inauguration of works that were emblematic of the economic revival of the country: the start of the construction of the Autostrada del Sole (A1 Motorway) even saw the presence of then President of the Republic graduated in architecture at the Polytechnic of Milano in 1934 and began to collaborate with Pavesi from 1949 His design project for Autogrill Fiorenzuola d’Arda became the prototype for successive service area restaurants built bridge-style and thanks to the rationalization of the production process earning for Bianchetti a gold medal at the Ninth National Advertising Award His collaboration with Pavesi continued until 1977 for a total of eleven service area restaurants on bridges four motels and the building in Milan that would later house the offices of the Group Autogrill Fiorenzuola d'Arda also played a leading role in a modernizing change regarding food: Pavesi nutritious light dishes to help motorists remain alert at the wheel An actual "Motorist’s menu” was especially prepared by the Institute of Physiology of the University of Milan Pavesi soda and a dessert made with Pavesini biscuits From its inauguration to today, in over half a century of operation, Autogrill Fiorenzuola d’Arda has always been one of the most successful and popular service area restaurants used by Italian travelers. In 2012 the service area was one of the six points of sale to be included in the “Territorio – Piacenza” project an innovative experiment in on the road catering In the coming weeks Autogrill Fiorenzuola d’Arda will once again be the scene of an evolution in on the road catering Context provides news and analysis on three of the world’s most critical issues: Roberto Varani checks his tomato fields in Fiorenzuola d’Arda The area between Piacenza and Parma is Italy’s second largest hub for tomato production July 28 (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - The Po River A severe drought that has lasted months and shows no signs of easing has led to a fall in water reserves raising fears about coming harvests and putting a huge strain on the river valley's crucial agricultural sector when an exceptional heat wave forced several mayors and governors to declare a state of emergency and take restrictive measures by far the largest users of the Po's waters – taking around 16.5 billion cubic meters out of 20.5 billion extracted each year – have been the most severely affected "I've never seen anything like this in my whole life," said Franco Varani an 81-year-old farmer from Piacenza province where 35 percent of "Made in Italy" farm and food production is concentrated Much of Varani's land is planted to tomatoes which are his family's main source of income But tomatoes are one the most water-intensive crops requiring over 12 liters to grow a single fruit the farmer relies on water from the nearby Mignano dam a small structure that supplies his agricultural district with water from the Arda River the dam was closed for the first time in its 80-year history Varani managed to adequately irrigate just 13 hectares out of 61 Now crops on the remaining land are wilting Farmers spend an average of 6,000 euros ($7,000) per hectare to grow tomatoes "We have experienced bad times in the past but we've always managed to get through everything pretty well," the tomato farmer said I don't know whether we will be able to go on." According to a recent report by Coldiretti the unusual weather this year has so far caused losses for 2 billion euros ($2.3 billion) across the Italian agricultural sector Most of the damage occurred in the Po River basin and an important farming area for the whole of Europe Flowing for 650 kilometers (400 miles) from the French border on the west to the Adriatic Sea on the east the Po's waters drain a catchment basin of about 70,000 square kilometers (27,000 square miles) crossing seven regions and including over 3,200 municipalities More than 16 million people—nearly 25 percent of all Italians—live in this fertile expanse which plays a pivotal role in the Italian economy producing 35 percent of national agricultural production and roughly 40 percent of the country's GDP This year is hardly the first time the Po River basin has seen drought Major dry periods hit the area in the last decade rising temperatures appear to be contributing to the region's problems including making its reservoirs dry more quickly Climate data show that the average annual temperature in the Po River basin increased by about 2 degrees Celsius since 1960 with increases particularly evident in summer average annual rainfall diminished by about 20 percent over the last 30 years A recent study by the Euro-Mediterranean Center on Climate Change (CMCC) predicted that worsening climate change-related water scarcity and increasing water demand as a result of economic and social development "would amplify the current water stress" "The current drought the Po River basin is experiencing isn't an outlier," said Paola Mercogliano a senior researcher at CMCC and one of the authors of the study "It's rather part of a trend where climate change will make droughts more serious increasing the frequency and severity of such events in all southern and southeastern Europe over the next decades," she said climate change-induced warming will result in a consistent reduction of water availability in summer in the whole Po River basin will lead to a longer growing season and subsequently more days of water demand from plants Besides substantially reducing river flows changing weather patterns will also increase the frequency of extreme rainfall and floods "The Po Plain used to be extraordinary water-rich and hence we got used to a situation where water has always been available for any purpose," said Silvano Pecora Environment and Energy of Emilia-Romagna and vice president of the World Meteorological Organization The Po River basin is set to experience a general reduction in terms of water availability Unless the region adopts strategies to adapt – including better managing water and demand for it – "the Po Valley has no future" Effectively dealing with the problem "takes the will to admit that we can no longer continue on as if nothing is changed" "Technology today offers unprecedented means to make water usage more efficient but technology s not the answer to everything," he added "What is needed the most is to find common solutions and start planning the long term Like many bodies of water across the world also the Po River is regulated by a network of rules enforced by a huge range of authorities "This isn't particularly helpful," Pecora said where decisions taken upstream affect those who are downstream." (Reporting by Marcello Rossi; editing by Laurie Goering :; Please credit the Thomson Reuters Foundation Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles Could an indigenous funding boost revive stuttering forest pact No room to cut: Rising inflation traps Bangladesh climate migrants Will Iran's climate inaction fuel rising disaster threats Why climate-change 'loss and damage' will be a hot topic at COP27 Our global editorial team of about 55 journalists and more than 350 freelancers covers the lives of people around the world who struggle to live freely or fairly Copyright © 2020 Thomson Reuters Foundation Thomson Reuters Foundation is a charity registered in England and Wales (registration number: 1082139) The project ‘The Via Francigena in Piacenza’ has been presented, aiming at promoting the ancient route, supported by the Piacenza and Vigevano Foundation in collaboration with the European Association of the Via Francigena ways (EAVF) The spotlight is shining on the city and territory of Piacenza thanks to the European cultural itinerary of the Via Francigena that is at the centre of a fine tourist project that enhances the route Here are the three itineraries proposed in the province Links to register for the 3 free events will be added to this article shortly. In the meantime, you can get more details on these and other initiatives by consulting the events calendar “I Love Francigena” is a series of events that highlight the cultural itinerary of the Via Francigena and offers a unique opportunity to discover sections of the route through its cultural local associations and administrators to jointly promote the area The promotional project also includes the production and printing of the official map of the Francigena to promote the territory of Piacenza Produced in a bilingual version (Italian and English) and accompanied by images the map will present the official route and provide an indication of the main services that can be found in the territory and useful information on local tourist offices The project also envisages support for the communication of activities within EAVF’s official channels with the aim of increasingly internationalising the visibility of the Piacenza stages within the European context of the route “It is significant that so many different subjects are committing to promoting the Via Francigena,” commented Mario Magnelli vice-president of the Piacenza and Vigevano Foundation in which the Foundation firmly intends to play its part can this significant experience of faith also lead to the rediscovery of the territory in its many dimensions from the environmental to the cultural one In order to take full advantage of this opportunity and strengthen the role of local communities it will also be necessary to deal with the issue of hospitality for the public along the itinerary and with that of offering initiatives that favour integration between pilgrims and residents“ “A meeting that focuses on the importance of networking with the realities of the territory and for which the Municipality is ready to act as coordinator and proposals for the awareness of the great cultural and tourist opportunity that the Via Francigena represents,” says Piacenza Municipality Councillor Christian Fiazza “the Via Francigena is a natural promoter of territorial marketing“ “The initiatives fully pursue the objectives of the Association: to make the Via Francigena known and populated,” illustrates EAVF’s President Massimo Tedeschi “EAVF is the only body appointed by the Council of Europe for its enhancement the Municipality of Piacenza and the Diocese of Piacenza-Bobbio for having initiated this valuable collaboration aimed at promoting the European itinerary in the Province“ “The journey is nothing other than a metaphor for life The pandemic made us rediscover how the journey was a fundamental requirement of life the kind of travel that puts you in relation with the environment thus nourishing new relationships and cultural exchanges” explains Manuel Ferrari Director of Worship Buildings of the Diocese of Piacenza-Bobbio “The pilgrimage experience implies walking towards a destination which sometimes traps us and prevents us from growing The Via Francigena is a European cultural route Being on this route therefore means meeting people from cultures other than our own getting in touch with other European countries and nurturing a citizenship rooted in one’s identity roots but at the same time opening to be a citizen of Europe.” Share this articleand follow us on social media: 👉🏻 Itinerary 👉🏻 Where to sleep 👉🏻 I ❤️ Francigena 👉🏻 The Via by bicycle 👉🏻 Events Calendar The European Association of the Via Francigena unites municipalities and countries crossed by the Via Francigena We’re always on the lookout for new partners who share our values and who want to help us promote sustainable travel across Europe Eight local specialties from the first-rate local wine and food tradition can be enjoyed at Autogrill's Fiorenzuola d'Arda Bistrot.  to provide the best traditional products to offer to travelers.  Mariola Cruda Piacentina: Slow Food Presidium at the Arda Bistrot  Mariola Cruda Piacentina is a raw sausage made of pork one of the traditional cold cuts of the province of Piacenza and in particular the upper Nure Valley. The Fiorenzuola d'Arda Bistrot is supplied by Fratelli Salini the only producer who still makes it in the traditional way and recognized by the Slow Food Presidium Mariola is a product of excellence made using the noblest cuts of pork including the haunches were not traditionally used in the preparation of hams. The fine mixture with generous pieces of white lard flavored with garlic and a little white wine is  made into salami and cured for six to twelve months. When properly aged a slice of Mariola should ooze a drop of liquid when cut a sign of great quality for salami with a long maturing period Parmigiano Reggiano PDO: appetite comes with..  Parmigiano Reggiano PDO is a hard cheese made from raw cow's milk matured for a period ideally lasting between 24 and 90 months. It's a cheese with a full tasty flavor easy to digest and extremely rich from a nutritional point of view At the Fiorenzuola d'Arda Bistrot we serve Parmareggio parmigiano the leading producer of this cheese in Italy. The production area includes the provinces of Parma Bologna west of the Reno River and Mantova south of the river Po the same area in which the story of its production began back in the twelfth century. For lovers of culinary curiosities Parmigiano Reggiano is mentioned in the famous book Treasure Island by R Traditional Balsamic Vinegar from Modena PDO: first mentioned in a Ducal register in 1747 Traditional Balsamic Vinegar is produced with cooked must of grapes originating exclusively from the provinces of Modena and Reggio Emilia acetified and then aged for at least twelve years.The flavor is sweet and sour at the same time well-balanced with a good acidity and a light aroma given by the wood used in the aging barrels which boasts a centuries-old tradition.  Although the ancient Romans used to reduce grape musts to obtain seasoning the first written evidence is found in the poem Vita Mathildis at the beginning of the twelfth century.The term balsamic appeared for the first time in a Ducal register in Modena in 1747 and appreciated by the local aristocracy for centuries until the nineteenth century that it spread across both regional and Italian borders Coppa Piacentina PDO: a product with a family tradition passed down through the centuries  Coppa Piacentina PDO is a cold cut produced all over Piacenza but the aging process must take place below 900 meters above sea level where the Salumificio Giordano is found and where the Coppa you can enjoy at Fiorenzuola Arda Bistrot is made Coppa Piacentina is obtained from the neck muscles of heavy pigs born raised and slaughtered in Emilia Romagna and Lombardia: the meat is dry salted by hand pre-seasoned and finally matured in a cool  Coppa stands out among salami for its full sweet taste and its delicate and subtle aroma Tortelli alla piacentina - homage to Petrarca Tortelli alla piacentina are tortelli made with egg pasta stuffed with a filling of ricotta eggs and salt. A typical dish of the city of Piacenza it originated as a meat-free alternative for Catholic holy days when it was forbidden to eat meat Pastificio Fontana's Tortelli alla piacentina at the Arda Bistrot Legend has it that the typical shape of wrapped candy originated back in 1351 when Bernardo Anguissol hosted Francesco Petrarca in his castle in Vigolzone and requested that the shape of be changed to make the tortelli more visually pleasing to the eyes of the refined poet Today they are still produced by hand with the same shape by the Pastificio Fontana who supply them every day to our Fiorenzuola d'Arda Bistrot Prosciutto di Parma PDO: the importance of the land of origin Prosciutto di Parma PDO is the cured ham entirely produced and worked in a well-defined area known as the Terre Matildiche that lies between the Via Emilia and the bed of the river Enza. It's production strictly regulated by the 'Consorzio dei produttori' (Consortium of producers) starts out using the rear haunches of a pig of a good weight lightly salted to maintain its sweetness and then naturally cured thanks to the ideal climatic conditions of the area The tradition of making cured ham in Parma goes back to ancient times mentioned by the Roman author Varrone in the first century BC and has been favored over the centuries by the presence of salt beds in the area which provided the salt required despite the distance from the sea. The term prosciutto probably derives from the Latin "perex suctum" referring to the action of the salt on the meat. At Bistrot Fiorenzuola d’Arda the Prosciutto di Parma PDO is Fratelli Boschi’s one Felino Salami PGI: a product with a distinctive taste The PGI salami made by Felino is produced in the town of the same name and the surrounding towns. When sliced it has a deep red color spotted with white pieces of lard it has an intense aroma and a delicate flavor Traditionally it is cut diagonally to provide oval shaped slices which should be as thick as a peppercorn. Felino salami is produced with pure pork meat with salt and whole peppercorns to which crushed garlic and pepper dissolved in dry white wine is added the sausage is aged for at least two months operation facilitated here too by the ideal microclimate of the production area The Fiorenzuola d'Arda Bistrot is supplied by Cavalier Umberto Boschi of Parma Lambrusco COD: an antique vine with a sparkling soul The Lambrusco family of vines is large and produces the sparkling wines and spumante of the same name There are different COD (Controlled Origin Denomination) and TGI (Typical Geographical Indication) specifications for Lambrusco: at the Fiorenzuola Arda Bistrot you will find that produced by the Chiarli family with the Sorbara and Grasparossa COD varieties yielding a light wine with fruity aromas.  The etymology of the name comes from the Latin words labrum and it appears in the writings of the Roman poet Virgil a native of Mantova. The Lambrusco grape varieties are in fact native of lower Lombardia and Emilia and are perhaps the oldest in Europe. Our journey among the typical products of Emilia ends here: all you have to do now is come and visit the Fiorenzuola Arda Bistrot to taste them for yourself Autogrill has for the first time introduced the Bistrot concept developed in collaboration with the University of Gastronomic Science (Unisg) in Pollenzo The new Bistrot opened in the Arda service area in Fiorenzuola d’Arda (Piacenza) on the A1 Turin-Piacenza-Brescia motorway where two major flows of travellers and two important culinary traditions The Fiorenzuola d’Arda location was the first bridge-type motorway diner in Europe and is still one of the most eloquent icons of Italy’s modernization and economic boom The Group’s renovation of this location has changed both the lateral pillars and the bridge level The service area is once again under the spotlight this time as the site of the first motorway Bistrot an expression of a new food culture – travelling but not only – and of Autogrill’s sharpening focus on its consumers’ changing needs and eating styles and its development of a new offering for on-the-road customers The new Bistrot devotes much space to select local produce and in-season and short supply chain items in particular thus offering customers a unique experience that brings together the flavours of local culinary traditions The offering in the location’s two “legs” includes a bakery (Il Forno) which has its work area visible to customers and features a wide assortment of pizzas numerous types of bread made with sourdough and local cakes and pastries such as the typical Torta di Vigolo (from Pasticceria Perazzi a long established firm in the province of Piacenza) where genuine Neapolitan coffee made in the traditional “cuccuma” can be enjoyed and a fresh fruit & veg area (Il Frutteto) which prepares a generous choice of centrifuged juices travellers can try 1st course specialities from Il Pastaio produces a variety of fresh pasta (bronze-drawn) using flours from I Molini di Voghera; street food style 2nd courses at Cucine di Strada which has a barbecue grill for meat (from Azienda Agricola Morini for example); and cold dishes and salads from the delicatessen (La Gastronomia) The offering is rounded out by a number of market points featuring select high quality products from local producers The Fiorenzuola d’Arda location was the first bridge type motorway diner to be built in Europe (born in 1911 and graduated in architecture at Politecnico di Milano in 1934) and was the prototype for subsequent bridge-type f&b locations The Fiorenzuola d’Arda service area has always been an innovative facility in step with the times and has thus reflected growth in the country over the last 50 years and the habits of generations of Italians travelling on the “Autostrada del Sole” the Group showcases Italian excellences selected in collaboration with the University of Gastronomic Science in Pollenzo (UNISG) Autogrill opens for the first time in the motorway channel its Bistrot concept which was developed in collaboration with the University of Gastronomic Science (UNISG) in Pollenzo and reflects the evolution of food culture by privileging local Italian products and the recovery of craft techniques This point of sale will thus become an exponent of a new food culture – travelling but not only – and of Autogrill’s sharpening focus on its consumers’ changing needs and eating styles to offer travellers a quality break The new Bistrot is in the Arda service area in Fiorenzuola d’Arda (Piacenza) on the A1 Turin-Piacenza-Brescia motorway A new offering for on-the-road customers on the road Characterized by an interior layout evoking the atmosphere typical of covered markets in cities the Bistrot Fiorenzuola d’Arda is an eclectic place in which high quality goes hand in hand with the concepts of naturalness in-season and local supply and respect for the life cycle of the products The point of sale promotes a vision that emphasizes continuity between production and consumption with innovative in-store communication that provides customers with the faces backgrounds and characteristics of the main suppliers.  The renovation of the Arda location has changed both the lateral pillars The offering on the ground floor includes a bakery (Il Forno) which has its work area visible to customers and features a wide assortment of pizzas On the upper level (on the bridge over the motorway) in 1959 and is still one of the most eloquent icons of Italy’s modernization and economic boom A collaboration between Autogrill and the University founded by Slow Food to create the innovative concept the first bridge-style structure of Europe A common goal – the partnership between Autogrill and UNISGIt all began in 2011 with the encounter between these two entities diverse both by nature and in their operational activities but united by the common desire for innovation in the food and wine sector With the experimental document “Manifesto for a new Autogrill” UNISG convinced the Chief Executive Officer that the University was the right partner to think up something totally new for the store in Milan Central Station Narrating the territory: the choice and the role of the producersBistrot in fact, wants to narrate to the traveler the territory in which it's located, and two key elements have been indentified to achieve this objective: the first is genuineness offering authentic local food without resorting to imitations the bread and pizza at the Fiorenzuola d’Arda Bistrot are made with flour produced in the Oltrepò the Mariola salami is made according to the original recipe and controlled by Slow Food and the meat comes from local producers like Gavazza and Morini.The second element is narration: telling the story behind the product the men and women whose craftsmanship and skill enrich the experience of a stopover in the Bistrot The employees who work in Autogrill's Bistrot are given this task and are specially trained for it Established skills and new discoveries: the choices of Fiorenzuola d’Arda's BistrotThe selection of products for the Arda Bistrot has followed two essential strands: the confirmation of producers like Molini di Voghera used by the Milano Centrale Bistrot and Fratelli Gavazza (for meat) by the Milano Duomo Bistrot and the addition of new producers from the local area discovered as a result of research and selection carried out in the territory A stimulating and productive synergy: Bistrot as an opportunity for growth.From the point of view of growth and improvement Bistrot has had a positive impact on the producers stimulating the development of new production models and mechanisms and helping small producers to meet new market demands through a process of research and internal analysis A turning point for the future of catering on the roadBistrot has introduced two important innovations in the food and wine culture for the consumer on the road fundamental elements with an immediate consumer impact Increased transparency regarding product origin means a lower environmental impact from the consumption of that product the more the consumer savors the freshness and genuineness of a product the higher the value he attributes to it.Continue to follow us on the discovery of the Fiorenzuola d’Arda Bistrot Silvio Barbero is Vice President of UNISG and of Slow Food Italia For the association he collaborates in the preparation of food guides for tourists published in Italy he is responsible for educational activities on nutrition and taste in schools for initiatives promoting quality food in hospitals as well as being the coordinator of projects on sensory education Michele Fino is Associate Professor of Roman Law and Ancient Laws at the University of Pollenzo He previously held positions as a researcher and professor at the University of Ferrara the University of Eastern Piedmont and the University of Aosta Valley He is a member of the Italian Society for the History of Law of ARISTEC and of the Scientific and Technical Committee of CERVIM (Research Center for Mountain Viticulture)