Highlights
- Po river crossing
- Piacenza Piazza Cavalli
- Palazzo Gotico
- Piacenza Cathedral
Stage conditions
| Section | Po Valley (Italy) |
|---|---|
| Water on route | Abundant |
| Shade | Minimal |
Practical notes
Getting there and away
Santa Cristina e Bissone, Chignolo Po and Orio Litta all have stations on the Trenord Pavia–Codogno line, so you can join anywhere along the first half. Piacenza is a major junction on the Milan–Bologna line with regional, Intercity, Frecciabianca and a daily pair of Frecciarossa trains, plus lines to Cremona and Alessandria; Milan is under an hour. The Po itself has no bridge on the route: the crossing from Corte Sant'Andrea to Soprarivo is by the pilgrim ferry, which you must book (see safety), or by the official variant along the north embankment.
What the season does
Best months are April to June and September to October; the stage data drops July and August. The plain is flat and exposed with minimal shade, and the last third follows the Po embankment and the Trebbia, hot in summer and foggy in winter. The ferry runs daily in a fixed afternoon window, so your day is timed by it rather than the weather. Spring high water can make the river crossing and the riverside tracks wet; the source stage page also notes the Trebbia bridge approach is always busy.
Safety on this stage
Two things. First, the ferry: the crossing of the Po at Corte Sant'Andrea, the Guado di Sigerico, is a boat run by Danilo Parisi from the Circolo Biffolus, daily from 16:00 to 17:00, booked by phone on 0523 771607; the source stage page says to call at least two days ahead, and if it cannot run there is an official variant along the north bank. Second, traffic: at Ponte Trebbia (about km 15.5) take great care on the ramp up to the SS10 Via Emilia Pavese, which is always heavily trafficked. The rest is flat and exposed.
Water and food
Water is marked abundant, and the source stage page confirms fountains in every inhabited centre: Miradolo Terme, Chignolo Po, Lambrinia and Orio Litta on the Lombard side, then Calendasco and the hamlets on the Emilian side. The embankment stretches between are open and shadeless, so carry a bottle and refill at each village. Because the ferry is timed, you may wait on the bank at Corte Sant'Andrea; bring water and something to eat for that. Piacenza has everything.
Where pilgrims sleep
Our directory has no listing yet at Piacenza. The source stage page lists two pilgrim addresses in the city, the Convento Santa Maria di Campagna and the Ostello Don Zermani, and the Emilia-Romagna regional route site adds the Ostello Papa Giovanni XXIII. On the Emilian bank at Calendasco, the Hospitium Peregrinorum attached to the Circolo Biffolus takes pilgrims who cross late. Before the river, Orio Litta has the Ostello Grangia Benedettina. Carry your credential and telephone ahead for the convent.
Sources: Wikipedia (it) — Ferrovia Pavia-Codogno · Wikipedia — Piacenza railway station · Camminando sulla Via Francigena — IT15 Santa Cristina – Orio Litta · Camminando sulla Via Francigena — IT16 Orio Litta – Piacenza (Transitum Padi) · Comune di Calendasco — Taxi per i pellegrini (guado del Po) · Cammini Emilia-Romagna — Piacenza – Fiorenzuola d'Arda, dove dormire
Common questions
How long is the Santa Cristina e Bissone to Piacenza stage?
It is 22.0 km (13.7 mi) and takes about 5.5 hours of walking, from Santa Cristina e Bissone to Piacenza.
How hard is Santa Cristina e Bissone to Piacenza?
It is rated easy with 30 m of ascent and 30 m of descent over mixed terrain.
Is there water on the Santa Cristina e Bissone to Piacenza stage?
Water is abundant along this stage.
How do I get to Santa Cristina e Bissone and away from Piacenza?
Santa Cristina e Bissone, Chignolo Po and Orio Litta all have stations on the Trenord Pavia–Codogno line, so you can join anywhere along the first half. Piacenza is a major junction on the Milan–Bologna line with regional, Intercity, Frecciabianca and a daily pair of Frecciarossa trains, plus lines to Cremona and Alessandria; Milan is under an hour. The Po itself has no bridge on the route: the crossing from Corte Sant'Andrea to Soprarivo is by the pilgrim ferry, which you must book (see safety), or by the official variant along the north embankment.
Where do pilgrims sleep in Piacenza?
Our directory has no listing yet at Piacenza. The source stage page lists two pilgrim addresses in the city, the Convento Santa Maria di Campagna and the Ostello Don Zermani, and the Emilia-Romagna regional route site adds the Ostello Papa Giovanni XXIII. On the Emilian bank at Calendasco, the Hospitium Peregrinorum attached to the Circolo Biffolus takes pilgrims who cross late.
Walk this stage
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