Museo Archeologico della Val Tidone

About the museum

The museum houses the archaeological finds discovered in the valley of the Tidone stream, in the Piacenza Apennines. It is set up in the basements of the Rocca Dal Verme in Pianello Val Tidone, whose oldest nucleus dates from the 14th century, and is run by the volunteers of the Associazione Archeologica Pandora, founded in 1990 to work with the heritage authority (Soprintendenza) on the research, protection and promotion of the archaeological heritage of the Val Tidone and the Val d'Arda. In 2009 it obtained recognition as a quality museum of the Emilia-Romagna Region.

The route is divided into three rooms, each devoted to a period. The first presents fossils of the Pliocene and the prehistory and protohistory of the valley, with the Bronze and Iron Age site of the Piana di San Martino, near Roccapulzana, and the trade of Ligurians, Etruscans and Celts. The second room is devoted to the Roman age, with finds from vici (Roman settlements) and rustic villas, objects of everyday life and insights into religion, trade, banquets and body care.

The third room, the largest, houses materials from the Piana di San Martino and evidence of the Gothic, Lombard and medieval periods; it also serves as a space for lectures and workshops. The museum offers educational activities for schools and families, and guided visits.

Highlights

• Finds from prehistory to the Middle Ages in the basements of the Rocca Dal Verme
• Bronze and Iron Age site of the Piana di San Martino
• Roman-age room with materials from vici and rustic villas
• Finds of the Gothic and Lombard periods
• Educational workshops for schools and families

Permanent exhibition

• Percorso archeologico in tre sale – From the Pliocene to the Middle Ages: fossils, prehistory and protohistory, the Roman age, and the Gothic, Lombard and medieval periods of the Val Tidone.

Operated by

Comune di Pianello Val Tidone; gestione: Associazione Archeologica Pandora

Visitors per year

approx. 1,000

Admission & discounts

Free admission: Free admission on the occasion of events sponsored by the Comune, the Notte dei Musei (Museums Night), the Giornate Europee del Patrimonio (European Heritage Days), Famiglie al Museo and the Giornata dei Piccoli Musei (Small Museums Day).

Members of the Associazione Archeologica Pandora enter free with a valid membership card. 20% discount on the full-price ticket for holders of the “I Tesori Archeologici di Piacenza e delle sue Valli” card.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The first two rooms can be reached by a platform lift, to make access easier for people with mobility difficulties. There is an equipped toilet, reachable from the third room.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

Educational service aimed mainly at children and young people of school age, with workshops and the event “Famiglie al Museo”; family discount on the ticket.

Getting there & parking

The museum entrance is in Piazza Umberto I, on the eastern side of the Rocca Dal Verme. By car from Piacenza, take the Via Emilia Pavese via Castel San Giovanni and Borgonovo (about 35 km) or via San Nicolò (about 32 km); from Milan, the SS 412 to Castel San Giovanni.

Amenities & dining

The ticket office is at the entrance, where staff provide information about the visit.

Events & venue rental

The third room also serves as a conference space.

Plan your visit