Bobbio, the Irish village in the Trebbia Valley

The name Bobbio derives from Bovium, linked to the Boielis stream descending from Mount Penice, and has Celtic-Ligurian roots tied to the Boi tribe. The area was inhabited since the Neolithic era and saw the arrival of the Romans in 14 BC. In 614, the Irish monk Columbanus founded the Benedictine monastery thanks to the donation of King Agilulf and Queen Theodelinda, gaining control of the strategic salt road to Genoa. In 774, Bobbio became an imperial monastery under the Franks, while in the 9th century the proto-Romanesque basilica was built. The creation of an autonomous diocese in 1014 elevated the village to an episcopal city. After centuries of disputes among communes, the Visconti, and the Dal Verme family, Bobbio entered the Savoy State in the 18th century, marking the beginning of its modern history.

What to see in Bobbio Bobbio lies in the upper Trebbia Valley, between the Ponte Gobbo and the bell towers of the Cathedral and the Basilica of San Colombano. The village’s history begins with the Irish monk Columbanus, who founded the first nucleus of the Benedictine abbey, a major cultural center of the early Middle Ages with schools, a scriptorium, and a library. Around the monastery, relocated in the 9th century by Abbot Agilulf, the village grew into the valley’s economic hub. Of the proto-Romanesque basilica remain the tower, floor mosaics, the crypt, and fragments of the apse. Between 1456 and 1522, the current basilica was built, decorated with frescoes by Bernardino Lanzani and a wooden choir from 1488. The crypt houses the sarcophagus of Saint Columbanus and mosaics depicting the seasons and agricultural life.

The village also preserves the Cathedral, enlarged in the 15th century, the Episcopal Palace, and noble palaces along Porta Nuova and Porta Alcarina. Overlooking the town are the Malaspina-Dal Verme Castle and Bobbio’s symbol, the Ponte Vecchio or Gobbo, a Romanesque bridge with eleven irregular arches. Completing the heritage are the Sanctuary of the Madonna dell’Aiuto and the Monastery of San Francesco, with its 15th-century cloister and Baroque church.

Events in Bobbio Bobbio hosts events throughout the year. On Easter Monday, Largo Rio Grande offers tastings of local products. At the end of June, Irlanda in Musica fills Piazza San Colombano with Celtic music, while early summer sees La Freccia Azzurra, a children’s literature festival in the abbey cloister. June also features the Feast of San Giovanni with an organic products fair. In August, the Bobbio Film Festival, founded by Marco Bellocchio, awards the Gobbo d’Oro. October brings the Grape Festival, Mushroom and Truffle Fair, and chestnut feasts; November features the Medieval Festival; December offers the Snail Festival, Christmas Market, and Nativity exhibitions until January 6.

What to see around Bobbio The surroundings of Bobbio offer natural landscapes and picturesque villages. The Trebbia Valley, described by Hemingway as “the most beautiful valley in the world,” is ideal for trekking and riverside walks. Mount Penice provides breathtaking views and is a favorite for nature lovers and cyclists. Nearby villages such as Travo and Caminata preserve ancient churches, mills, and medieval architecture. Historical sites like the Malaspina-Dal Verme Castle and small sanctuaries enrich the area. In autumn, mushroom and truffle fairs complete the gastronomic and cultural experience.

cover photo credits:leoks