Calendasco on the Po: Via Francigena and Roman traces

Calendasco connects the Via Francigena with the Po and visible traces of a long history. The route leads from the river crossing at the Guado di Sigerico through the town; the Po embankments are suitable for walks, running and longer cycling tours. Roman landscape features, an ancient harbour, and architectural and art history add to the picture. When choosing a destination, you can first decide whether you want to focus on the pilgrimage route, the river landscape or the cultural heritage.

Via Francigena and river crossing

The Via Francigena leads from the Po at the Guado di Sigerico through Calendasco. On the route, pilgrims cross from Corte Sant’Andrea on the Lombard bank to Soprarivo and then continue through Calendasco. The order is important when planning your stages: river crossing, Soprarivo, then the route through Calendasco. Check the crossing separately before making it a fixed part of your plans. This lets you treat the pilgrimage route as a focus in its own right while also accounting for the river crossing in your stage planning.

Po embankments and historic landscape

You can walk and run along the Po embankments in Calendasco; they are also suitable for longer cycling tours. This gives you a clear distinction when planning your day: a walk or run has a different focus from a longer cycling tour. The history of the surrounding area offers another point of interest. Centuriation refers to a Roman system of land surveying and organisation; a large section of it is still visible in Calendasco. Part of the ancient consular road can also be seen. These traces draw attention to the historical shaping of the landscape and add another theme to activities by the river.

Harbour, castle and art

The ancient harbour on the Po was of Roman origin and made Calendasco an important hub on the Via Francigena. Castello di Calendasco is a trapezoidal brick-built fortification surrounded by a moat. The public section was open on special occasions, while the other section is a private residence. If you would like to visit the castle, check in advance whether a visit is currently possible. The paintings in the Chiesa di Santa Maria date from between 1500 and 1600. Thus, the history of pilgrimage, fortress architecture and sacred art stand alongside one another as distinct aspects of the town.

Fiera del Po e del Pesce fritto

The Fiera del Po e del Pesce fritto is part of local tradition. It traditionally takes place in Calendasco at the end of March; the exact dates vary from one edition to another. This means that the timing of your trip can also influence your choice of focus: the fair offers a seasonal occasion, while the pilgrimage route, embankments and historic traces appeal to other interests.

Calendasco as a holiday apartment destination

The main trade-off when planning your trip is between spending active time on the Po embankments and focusing on cultural history; the Via Francigena also connects Calendasco with a specific pilgrimage stage. If you are looking for a holiday apartment in Calendasco, you can use these interests as a guide when choosing your destination. For a specific accommodation, its location should suit your own daily plans. If you are travelling at the end of March, include the date of the Fiera del Po e del Pesce fritto in your plans.

Discover more destinations: Chiaravalle, Monticelli D'ongina, Castel San Giovanni, Ferriere, Agazzano, Gropparello, Folignano, Travo.

For the broader travel overview: Piacenza.