Vigoleno is a fraction of the municipality of Vernasca ( Italy ) , in the province of Piacenza where the castle of the same name stands.
It is part of The most beautiful villages in Italy, fortunately surviving intact in all its parts is an example of a particularly beautiful medieval fortified village. Located on the ridge between the valley of the Ongina and that of the Stirone on a relief of not high height (350 m s.l.m.) it enjoys a wide panorama on the valleys and surrounding hills.
Access : Coordinates: 44.816623°, 9.900924° / ( Distance from Parma: 43 km / 27 miles ) By car : motorway A1 (Milano-Bologna), exit at Fiorenzuola d’Arda, then take the bypass towards Parma until the crossroads to Castelnuovo Fogliani, passing the small village named Alseno then follow the signs towards Vernasca-Vigoleno. From Bologna: take motorway A1, exit at Fidenza, then take SS9 Via Emilia towards Piacenza until the crossroads to Castelnuovo Fogliani.
By tram : Urban & extra-urban line , From the train station and from the bus station of Piacenza, line 44
By train : Ferrovie dello Stato , Stop in Piacenza (42 km)
Highlights : Monuments and places of interest :
- Castello di Vigoleno ( Castle of Vigoleno )
- The parish church of San Giorgio Romanesque church of the twelfth century has three naves divided by four pairs of mighty round pillars with capitals carved with figures. It has undergone Renaissance and Baroque alterations, but thanks to the restoration in 1963, it appears today with its original, austere and imposing appearance. The facade is embellished by a portal carved with small columns with leafy capitals and in the lunette a sculpture depicting Saint George. There are few traces of frescoes, San Giorgio in the 15th century apse and San Benedetto on a pillar, dated 19 July 1427. The quadrangular bell tower is surmounted by mullioned windows.
- The oratory of Santa Maria : Small, elegant and sober eighteenth-century building with a cross-shaped layout. It overlooks the small square with a small flight of steps. Today it is used for exhibitions and for small concerts given the perfect acoustics
Traditions and folklore
A Vigoleno is still alive the tradition of begging the cantamaggio, on April 30 the group of singers brings the May wish for the houses of the village, receiving in exchange eggs or other gifts that are lowered with the horse hanging from a string from windows in the narrow alleys.
Colli Piacentini Vin Santo di Vigoleno gives its name to a wine.
In the Castle of Vigoleno there is a small museum dedicated to the orsanti.
Go next : bobbio / castell’arquato / fontanellato / compiano
