This town is located in the middle of Pianura Padana, between Fiorenzuola d’Arda and Fidenza, along the Via Emilia, the road built by the Romans. During the Middle Ages, the Via Emilia became an important part of the Via Francigena, the road crossed by pilgrims. Ancient traces of the Via Francigena can still be seen today.
Alseno is well known for the Cistercian Abbey of Chiaravalle della Colomba located in this area. Founded in 1136 by the abbot Bernardo di Clairvaux, this abbey is a testament to the most noteworthy presence of Cistercian monks in this region as well as being an amazing medieval monument.
Early summer is the best period for a visit, when the whole town is involved in hosting the event "Infiorata" right in the Chiaravalle della Colomba Abbey.
In ancient times this place was named ''Senum'' probably because of its sinuous location, from which “Senum” and “Alseno” are derived. The town became an ancient Landi fief; that’s the reason why the building upon a hill in the middle of the town is named Landi’s castle.
The first documentation about this Castle dates back to 1186, when its construction was commissioned by Siclerio dell'Andito (Landi) and Savino Vicedomino, members of the old municipal aristocracy. Apart from a short period of time, the Landi family kept the fortress, and was feudalized, in 1405 by the Visconti.
In the 18th century, the Landi family turned the building into a residential palace. In the 19th century the building, no longer Landi’s residential palace and in bad condition, became the property of the Sforza Fogliani family. Today the castle is a nursery school.
Cold cuts have always been very important to traditional cooking here. Coppa, salame and pancetta are three delicious Piacenza PDOs, but the less known “mariola” and “goletta” should also be considered and tasted. The typical humidity of the "Bassa" is then used to pack the Culaccia, the Piacenza version of Culatello.
Among the cheeses caciottine, Provolone Val Padana PDO and Grana Padano PDO stand out. The area belongs to the paths of Trail of Wines and Tastes of the Piacenza Hills.
The real place to have fun is il Colle, near Colle San Giuseppe, a pool and a club: an oasis of relaxation and good cooking during the day, a disco and much more by night.
For the Corpus Domini celebration, during the first Sunday of June, it’s possible to admire in the Cistercian Abbey of Chiaravalle della Colomba, the magnificent floral carpet, also known as «infiorata», created by the monks with the help of young people of the town. In this way a millenarian tradition is perpetuated.
The tourism itinerary through the region around Alseno must include the medieval castle of Castelnuovo Fogliani (4 km), which still has the air of a noble residence. This castle town, called Montebello during antiquity, is located at the beginning of the Ongina valley. The interior of the castle is full of refined sitting rooms, among which is the one decorated with frescoes by Giuseppe Natali and various valuable paintings.
