Botticelli on the medal and guided visits: Piacenza highlights its

A connection between sport and heritage

The Placentia Half Marathon presents itself as an event that foregrounds Piacenza's monuments. The 2026 edition pairs athletic competition with cultural activities designed to showcase the city's historical assets and offer participants a discovery-oriented experience.

The medal honoring Botticelli's Tondo

For the first time, the official medal reproduces Botticelli's Tondo, the fifteenth-century masterpiece on display in the Sala del Tondo at Palazzo Farnese. The medal aims to turn the memory of the race into a lasting tribute to the city's Renaissance art.

Technical shirt and course depiction

The event's technical shirt, provided by the technical sponsor, highlights Piacenza's skyline and the full 21.097 km route. The garment functions as a wearable map, guiding participants through the historic sites crossed by the half marathon.

Guided walks through the historic center

A 5 km cultural walk is included in the side program, aimed at visitors and residents and conducted by certified guides. The route provides historical and architectural insights into the city's principal landmarks, using clear but accurate interpretative language.

• Basilica of San Francesco
• The Cathedral
• Palazzo Farnese and the Sala del Tondo
• San Sisto

Open-top panoramic bus on the route

A new feature of the edition is an open-top panoramic bus that allows participants to view the entire half marathon circuit from a privileged perspective. Organized with municipal support and local partners, the tour includes historical commentary and contextual information about the sites along the way.

Museum discounts and agreements

Participants in the event's activities will receive a discount card valid for one year at the Civic Museums of Palazzo Farnese, facilitating continued visits to the city's collections after the race weekend.

How this format promotes monuments

Combining sporting and cultural initiatives encourages deeper engagement with monumental sites and strengthens the bond between citizens, visitors and historic places. Every component — from the medal to guided walks, the panoramic bus to museum concessions — is intended to highlight Piacenza's heritage.

Practical information

• Main dates: cultural events and guided visits take place during the race days in May 2026 (check the official program for details).
• Key locations: Piacenza historic center and Palazzo Farnese.
• Participation: some activities are free; others require registration or have limited priority access.
• Contacts: official website www.placentiahalfmarathon.it • [email protected]

Joining the initiatives means more than running: it means moving through and learning about the monuments that tell the city's artistic and urban story.