Flowers, Fruits and Side Dishes

A Springtime of Flowers, Nurseries, and Flavours from the Bassa Piacentina

Flowers, Fruits and Side Dishes is the spring market that enlivens the spaces of Palazzo Costa Picasso every April, in the hamlet of Soarza, Villanova sull'Arda, in the province of Piacenza. For an entire weekend, the palace and its gardens transform into a rural market bustling with exhibitors from various areas of Emilia-Romagna and neighbouring territories, featuring a selection of crafts, plants, flowers, and seasonal products.

Crafts, Nurseries, and Local Products

The heart of the event is the direct interaction between the public and those who work the land or create with their own hands. Along the exhibition paths, you will find:

• Nursery owners and floriculturists with ornamental plants, seasonal flowers, and species for vegetable gardens and flowerbeds;
• Artisans and creatives with handmade objects, the result of manual craftsmanship and a true short supply chain;
• Local producers with regional food specialties, including DOP and DOC gastronomic excellences.

Culture, Art, and Nature

The event is more than just a market: at Palazzo Costa Picasso, the FAI Group of Monticelli d'Ongina offers guided tours of the historic residence, while the nearby "Giuseppe Verdi Agricultural Entrepreneur" Museum opens its doors to visitors, recounting the great composer's connection to the countryside of this area. The programme is completed by photographic exhibitions, nature-themed meetings, workshops for children, and excursions dedicated to discovering the nature of the Bassa region.

Eating and Experiencing the Village

Throughout the weekend, Osteria Pizzavacca is open for lunch and dinner, with the option to dine in the palace's outdoor spaces, enjoying traditional Piacenza dishes, cured meats, and local specialties. The event, with free entry by donation and ample free parking, is a perfect opportunity for a day trip into the countryside between Piacenza and the Po River.

Organizers

Flowers, Fruits and Side Dishes was born from the collaboration between the association Ortocolto APS and the Azienda Agricola Pisaroni - Cascina Pizzavacca, local entities committed to promoting agriculture, craftsmanship, and rural culture in Villanova sull'Arda and the entire province of Piacenza.