Montechiaro
From the forest covering one of the first hills it appears the tower of the Montechiaro castle, an ancient defensive fortress along the important road connecting Piacenza and Genoa. The majestic tower at the center of the courtyard built in the 11th century represents the most ancient part of the whole structure. The building belonged to the Malaspina family, and for three centuries (since 1324) it was owned by the Anguissola family, that in 1652 sold it to the Morando family, nobles from Genoa. The road leading to the castle - which is a private property and, therefore, not accessible - is bordered by a double line of old cypresses and by three imposing oaks, one of them is also included among the monumental species protected by the Emilia-Romagna Region.
