Piacenza, Verdi’s homeland
Even if Giuseppe Verdi was born in Roncole di Busseto, the great musician had a strong and close relationship with the town of Piacenza and its land. Actually it was defined ” Verdi’s land”.
His family was a descendent from Piacenza since six generations; his mother, Luigia Uttini, came from Saliceto di Cadeo.
In 1848 he settled down in the estate S.Agata, in the town of Villanova sull’Arda, on the bank of Piacenza’s land in the Ongina’s area. This is the place where between 1851 and the 1883 G. Verdi composed some of his most great masterpieces: Rigoletto, Trovatore, La Traviata, Aida, Otello.
In his estate he spent some of his free time gardening. He booked some flowers and plants to taking care of.
Verdi the governor
Verdi wasn’t only interested to music: he became the governor of the town of Villanova, between 1870 and 18880 and the member of the provicial council between 1889 and 1890. He funded the entire building of the Villanova’s hospital, opened in 1888.
Before his death he decided to give some of his agricultural fundraisings to the same hospital, and some others to the the child care center of Cortemaggiore.
Additionally, he decided that every year on the 10th of November, one hundred of poor people of Villanova must receive 20 lire per person.
Download here the brochure with the Verdi’s route
