Fidenza harbors an ancient and mysterious soul. Before it became a quiet town on the Via Emilia, it was Borgo San Donnino, a stopping point for pilgrims, merchants and travelers heading to Rome along the Via Francigena. Here, every stone seems to tell a story, but not always clearly: it often speaks through symbols, enigmatic figures and hidden messages.
Our route will begin among the traces of the medieval and Roman city: we will pass under the Visconti tower, over the remains of the ancient Roman bridge, following in the footsteps of those who crossed this place centuries ago, suspended between faith, fear and hope.
In front of the façade of San Donnino Cathedral, we will enter the most fascinating heart of the mystery. Benedetto Antelami's sculptures transform the cathedral into a veritable book of stone, populated by saints, symbolic animals, unsettling figures and scenes rich in meaning. But what did those images really want to convey to the pilgrims? Were they mere decorations or messages to be deciphered?
Inside, in the dim light of the church and the crypt, we will discover the story of St. Donnino, his relics and the cult that arose around his figure. Between legend and devotion, the story of the saint is intertwined with the city's deepest memory.
We will conclude the tour by walking along a stretch of the Via Francigena to Piazza del Comune, the ancient heart of Roman Fidentia and later the medieval civic center, dominated by the Gothic-Lombard Palazzo Comunale.
A tour for those who want to see Fidenza beyond the surface: not only art and history, but also symbols, legends, unanswered questions and secrets carved in stone.
Meeting point: at the Visconti Tower, Piazza Grandi, 43036 Fidenza PR, Italy
Tour duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
All our guided visits are led by licensed tour guides
Please arrive 10 minutes before the start of the tour. The tours start right on time.
