Bobbio ancient city of art

A bit of history
Ireland comes in 614, the Monaco Columban at Bobbio in the territory given to him by the Lombard king Agilulfo. Donation significant as Bobbio controls the salt road, which from Piacenza, along Valtrebbia reach Genoa. Columban in this area counting probably founded a monastery. He died the following year November 23 and was buried in the church of S. Peter that he himself had restored. In June 774, Charles King of the Franks, conquered Pavia and ends the Lombard Kingdom. Bobbio opened the way to the Franks to Liguria and from central Italy. During this period, Bobbio has assets in several areas of northern and rich are businesses of various kinds (salt, fish, salted and smoked meat, pig farms, cows and sheep).
In 1014 the diocese was created independent of Bobbio, then rose to the rank of bishop's town. At first bishop and abbot are the same person, after the two positions because of the division begins the decline of the city caused by infighting.
In 1230 Piacenza occupies Bobbio.
Bobbio in 1387 is given in fief to the Dal Verme, who will take until the middle of 700 when, following the Wars of Succession, the Savoy family.
In 1923, moves from the province of Pavia in Piacenza, returning to its geographical natural area: the valley of the Trebia.
(text taken from a study of prof. Enrico Mandelli)

Malaspina Castle
Stronghold of political Ghibellines. Built by Corradino Malaspina in 1304. Later under the protection of the Visconti family was the residence of the Podestà and then feud of the Dal Verme. In 1956 it became state property. Today the original castle we have only the central keep. Stupendous is the view of the city and the mountains around Bobbio the inner courtyard of the castle.

Bobbio Abbey
Grande Benedictine monastery. In the first part of the Middle Ages was a great center of culture comparable in importance to Montecassino. Rebuilt in the XV-XVI centuries, retains the bells of pre-Roman times (ninth century). The interior has three naves with decorations Bernardino Lanzani. Inside the crypt is preserved sarcofafo S. Columba (1480). Furthermore, the remains of the mosaic floor of the cent. XII, two barriers in marble (ninth century) and a wrought iron gate of the sec. XII.

The Museum of the Abbey
It is entered from the portico of the basilica and conserves archaeological finds of the Roman period, architectural fragments Lombard, an ivory casket of the fourth century and paintings of the Lombard school.

The "Devil's Bridge" or "Gobbo"
The Ponte Vecchio also said Gobbo to the irregularity of its eleven bays, is a symbol of the city. Its existence is documented from 1196, but probably dates back to age precolombaniana. Until the sixteenth century the bridge was composed of a few strings in the seventeenth century and only reached number 11. Also known as "Devil's Bridge" by the popular legend that tells the creation. We say that St. Columban agreed to conclude a pact with the devil. The latter undertook to build the bridge in a single night in exchange for the first living thing that would pass through. The next morning, though with irregular shape and arches, the bridge was finished and the Irish Monaco kept their word, however, making the first crossing by a dog.

How to get to Bobbio
From Piacenza after the exit from the A1, take the ring road to the stadium, then we arrive at the junction of Gallena, located on the southern outskirts of the city where the highway begins to Val Trebbia (SS45), which directs south-west (45 km).
From Milan, Piacenza reached from the A1 or through the Via Emilia, take the SS45 in direction Bobbio - Genoa.
Across the road from Genoa VaI Trebbia that touches the towns of Bargagli, Torriglia, Montebruno, Rovegno, Gorreto (km. 68 from Otto).
From Chiavari and the Italian Riviera, through Rezzoaglio and Val d'Aveto (90km from Bobbio).
From Voghera through Varzi, Step Peniche (57 km).