BOBBIO: WHERE HISTORY AND LEGEND MEET ON THE TREBBIA

Bobbio, one of Italy's most charming villages, is more than just a destination, but a true journey through time. Located in the heart of the Trebbia Valley, this Piacenza gem boasts a unique monumental heritage, where the power of medieval history blends with the captivating charm of local legends.

The Hunchback Bridge (or Devil's Bridge): The Suspended Icon

The Ponte Vecchio , universally known as the Hunchback Bridge (or Devil's Bridge), is the iconic image of Bobbio. It's not just a feat of engineering, it's pure scenography, an architecture that defies convention.

• The Irregular Structure: With its 11 unequal arches at different heights, the bridge forms a wavy, sinuous profile, hence its nickname "Hunchback." This peculiarity makes it extraordinarily photogenic, especially at sunset, when its silhouettes are reflected in the clear waters of the Trebbia River.
• The Legend: The bridge's allure is amplified by the popular tale that it was built in a single night by the Devil himself, in exchange for the soul of the first person to cross it. An evocative myth that adds a touch of medieval mystery to your visit.
• Living History: Although its origins are uncertain (probably Roman), its construction above is linked to the 7th century and the work of the monks of San Colombano, testifying to its vital importance as a connecting route.

The Abbey of San Colombano: The Cradle of European Knowledge

The history of Bobbio is inseparable from its spiritual and cultural center: the Abbey of San Colombano . Founded in 614 by the Irish monk Saint Colombano , it quickly became one of the most important monastic and cultural centers of the Early Middle Ages.

• A Monumental Complex: The vast complex includes the Basilica of San Colombano (rebuilt in the 15th century), which houses the sarcophagus of the Saint, and a splendid Crypt with 12th-century floor mosaics.
• The Famous Scriptorium: For centuries, the Abbey was home to a renowned scriptorium and one of the richest libraries in Europe, a true beacon of knowledge. Today, part of its premises house the Abbey Museum and the City Museum , offering an immersive journey through the religious and civic history of the village.

The Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta and the Malaspina Castle

In addition to its two main symbols, Bobbio enchants with other architecture that tells of centuries of spiritual and military power.

• The Co-Cathedral: The Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta , built in the 11th century in Romanesque style, dominates the town's main square. Inside, its beauty is revealed through the modern decorations in the naves and the valuable 18th-century fresco of the Ascension of the Virgin in the main chapel. Its two imposing towers define the skyline .
• Malaspina-Dal Verme Castle: Perched on the hill overlooking the village, Malaspina-Dal Verme Castle is a mighty 14th-century medieval fortress. It consists of an imposing central keep and two towers, which still retain their intact defensive walls. From the battlements, visitors enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of the historic center and the Trebbia Valley, a privileged vantage point on Bobbio's history.

Bobbio is a place where every stone has a story, and every monument is a doorway to a glorious past, ready to be explored and admired.

BOBBIO: LEGENDS, CINEMA, AND MYSTERIES AGAINST THE TREBBIA VALLEY

Bobbio is much more than one of the "Most Beautiful Villages in Italy." It's a natural stage where medieval history, great cinema, and folk legends blend together, creating a unique atmosphere. Get ready to discover the curiosities that make this village a treasure trove of mystery and wonder.

The Hunchback Bridge between Devils and Geniuses of the Renaissance

The Gobbo Bridge , with its fascinating irregular structure, is the true celebrity of the village, but it hides secrets that go beyond engineering.

• The Prank of Saint Columbanus: The nickname Devil's Bridge comes from the legend that tells how Saint Columbanus dog cross the bridge first , leaving the Devil furious and empty-handed.
• The Mystery of the Mona Lisa: According to a controversial but fascinating theory supported by some scholars, the mountainous backdrop and bridge glimpsed in Leonardo da Vinci are none other than the landscapes of Bobbio and its Ponte Gobbo (Hunchback Bridge). The debate is ongoing, but the idea that the Mona Lisa admired (or was portrayed with) this view adds an incredible layer of Renaissance charm to the place.

Bobbio: An Oscar-Winning Village

The Trebbia Valley and Bobbio are inextricably linked to the world of cinema, thanks to one of its greatest masters.

• Marco Bellocchio's Homeland: Bobbio is the hometown of the famous director Marco Bellocchio . The village and its rugged landscapes served as the setting and inspiration for many of his most important works, such as the masterpiece “Fists in the Pocket” (1965) and the subsequent Sisters Never and Holidays in… .
• The Village-Set: Walking through the streets of the historic center and reaching places like the cemetery outside the village, you'll literally find yourself in the key locations of Italian auteur cinema. This cinematic vocation is celebrated every year with the Bobbio Film Festival , a prestigious event that brings international directors and actors to the walls of the ancient Abbey.

The Hemingway River and the Dream Microclimate

• The Most Beautiful Valley in the World: Trebbia River , which flows under the Ponte Gobbo, was described by writer Ernest Hemingway as "the most beautiful valley in the world ." The river is known for its clear waters and wild beauty, ideal for relaxation and water sports.
• The Fashion Influence: Even fashion has been touched by Bobbio's charm: it is said that “greige”, an iconic colour for the Giorgio Armani fashion house , was inspired by the shades of the wet sand of the Trebbia.
• An International Heritage: The Abbey of Saint Columbanus , founded by an Irish monk, was a beacon of culture in the Early Middle Ages, with a library and scriptorium among the most important in Europe. This foreign origin made Bobbio, for centuries, a crucial meeting point of cultures, far beyond Italy's borders.

THE PRIDE OF BOBBIO: BETWEEN MASTERS OF CINEMA AND LEGENDS OF THE 20TH CENTURY

Bobbio, though a jewel nestled in the Trebbia Valley, is more than just ancient history and legends. It's also a cradle of talents who have left an indelible mark, especially in the world of cinema and Italian culture, bringing the town's name to international stages.

Marco Bellocchio: The Maestro and His Roots

The most famous and authoritative name linked to Bobbio is undoubtedly that of Marco Bellocchio , one of the greatest and most lucid directors of contemporary Italian cinema.

• Born in the Borgo, Raised in Cinema: Bellocchio was born in Bobbio (November 9, 1939). His roots here aren't just a biographical fact, but the beating heart of his cinematography, a landscape of the soul that emerges in many of his works.
• Fists in the Pocket and Bobbio: It was in Bobbio, at the age of just twenty-six, that he shot his dazzling debut: “Fists in the Pocket” (1965) . This masterpiece, which anticipated the tensions of 1968, used the settings of the Bobbio province – including the famous Ponte Gobbo and the old cemetery – as a powerful and claustrophobic backdrop to tell the story of family drama and rebellion.
• The Village-Cultural Set: The bond has never been broken. Bellocchio has returned firmly to his roots with the "Fare Cinema" and the eponymous Bobbio Film Festival . Every summer, the village transforms into a filmmaking hotbed, where young talents study and make short films under the guidance of the Maestro, demonstrating how Bobbio remains a hub of high-level cultural production . More recent films such as Sorelle Mai and Sangue del mio sangue continue to explore the imagination and history of this land.

Other Names Born on the Banks of the Trebbia

In addition to the great director, Bobbio and its immediate surroundings have produced other figures worthy of mention, especially in the fields of sport and business.

• Gigi Rizzi (1946-2017): If Bellocchio brought Bobbio to auteur cinema, Rizzi brought it to the international jet set. Although not known for his artistic or scientific achievements, he became famous in the 1960s as a symbol of La Dolce Vita , renowned for his relationship with film icon Brigitte Bardot . A bon vivant who, unexpectedly, connected the small Emilian village with the society circles of Saint-Tropez.
• Historical and Sporting Figures: Local history recalls figures such as the industrialists Vittorio Malacalza and Luigi Malaspina , and, going beyond just celebrities, the Bobbio family also produced personalities linked to sport and culture such as the footballer Giancarlo Cella .

Bobbio is therefore a small town with great stories: the centuries-old ones that begin with San Colombano and the more recent ones, framed by the river and staged by one of its most illustrious sons.