Bobbio (Trebbia Valley)

Bobbio is one of the Most Beautiful Villages in Italy (I Borghi più Belli d'Italia), a small town of extraordinary historical importance set in the Trebbia valley, about 65 km from the Podere. It's further than most of our recommendations, but worth every minute of the drive — the road follows the Trebbia river through increasingly beautiful scenery.

The symbol of Bobbio is the Ponte Gobbo (also called Ponte del Diavolo — the Devil's Bridge), an 11-arch Roman bridge with an unmistakable irregular profile that zigzags across the Trebbia. Legend says the devil built it in one night in exchange for the soul of the first person to cross — but Saint Colombanus tricked him by sending a dog. The bridge is spectacular at any time, but especially at sunset with the mountains behind it.

The town's true treasure is the Abbey of San Colombano, founded in 614 by the Irish monk Saint Colombanus and for centuries one of the most important cultural centres in Europe. The abbey's famous scriptorium produced manuscripts that shaped Western culture, including some of the oldest surviving Latin texts. The crypt houses Saint Colombanus's tomb. The mosaic floor in the abbey church (12th century) depicting the months of the year and the battle of virtues and vices is remarkable.

The old town is a pleasure to walk through: cobbled streets, medieval houses, small squares, a few good restaurants and the remains of the Malaspina castle above. In summer, the Trebbia offers beautiful pebbly beaches for swimming just outside town.

Tip: allow a full day for Bobbio. On the way there or back, stop at Rivalta Castle or along the Trebbia for a swim. The town hosts a film festival in summer (Bobbio Film Festival, founded by Marco Bellocchio who was born here) and a medieval fair.