22. Bobbio to Eremo di San Michele and back variant

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The pilgrimage can continue to the place of meditation of Saint Columban where he isolated himself as during Lent in 615, a few months before his death perhaps also in this remote place on 23 November 615.

The overall itinerary of 16km to the hermitage and back to Bobbio is of medium difficulty with a total climb and descent of 1000m. Despite its brevity, the route in the undergrowth is a continuous ascent and descent between the hills of Piacenza.

5 points of interest

Castello Malaspina Dal Verme
Historical
Castle Malaspina dal Verme
Built in 1304 by Corradino Malaspina, next to the Basilica of St. Peter, this castle was designed to be a military fortress. In 1341, it became the property of the Visconti family. In 1436, it was transferred to the Dal Verme family, who transformed the castle into a prestigious residence. In the 17th century, the castle was bought by the Della Cella family who kept it until 1956, when it was sold to the state.
Cultural
Mazzolini Collection Museum
The municipal museum, housed in the former refectory of the abbey, offers an educational tour of the history of the city and the life of Saint Columban. The abbey also houses the Mazzolini Collection Museum, which displays works by 20th century Italian artists, including De Chirico, Carrà and Fontana.
Historical
Cathedral Santa Maria Assunta
Die Kathedrale im romanischen Stil wurde um 1073 erbaut. Von den beiden Türmen, die die Fassade einrahmen, sollte der linke, höhere Turm als Festung dienen, während der rechte (einst gleich hoch wie der andere) als Glockenturm genutzt wurde; nur die unteren Teile der Türme sind original. Der Innenraum im byzantinischen Stil stammt aus dem Jahr 1896.
St Columban
Testimonium
The Testimonium is a certificate issued to every pilgrim who has completed at least the last 143 kilometres between the Basilica of Sant'Eustagio in Milan and the tomb of Saint Columban. To obtain it, the pilgrim presents his credential or passport with stamps and dates of the stages completed on his journey.

Address where to obtain the Testimonium:
Amici di San Colombano
Pazzia Duomo 7
29022 Bobbio

Please let us know in advance:
Association: +39 (0) 523 936 619
Antonella: +339 187 8806

abbonamenti@latrebbia.it
St Columban
Hermitage of St Michael
A remote place where Columban liked to retire to pray and fast as during Lent in 615 and where he may have died on 23 November of the same year.

Description

In Piazza San Colombano, head south, leaving the church on your left:

Take the first narrow street on the left (signposted "no entry"), Contrada di San Nicola, which then crosses Contrada dell'Ospedale. Turn left into this street, which continues into Largo Rio Grande and ends up in Piazza Duomo in front of the cathedral. At the end of the arcades that extend along the side of the square, follow the pedestrian path (Contrada di Porta Aggaza) which, after two successive changes of direction, leads to a large road (Via Sopramura). Cross it by the pedestrian crossing to go down the small road towards the Ponte Vecchio or Ponte Gobbo. Cross the historic bridge of Bobbio. At the end of the bridge, turn right and go up the main road until you cross the next bridge.
Immediately after the bridge, take the marked path on the left (Via degli Abati CAI 159). At the next fork in the road, take the path on the right which leads to a road junction. Continue along the small path that climbs towards Casina Pre and intersects the road again to go into the forest (red and white CAI markings) and cross Casa Bellochi above. When you leave the houses, continue for 100m on the road until you reach the first stone path on the right.
Take this signposted path which, after 50m, changes direction and climbs for 1.5km to a tarmac road which continues to the right for 300m before finding a path again which descends towards the village of Coli and the main square (Piazza Moro) in front of the church. Take the swimming pool road (CAI Pontremoli markings) to the next crossroads where you leave the Via degli Abati which goes towards Pontremoli.
Turn right onto the path that passes to the left of the sports facilities and then descends into the woods. At the next fork in the road, following the signs, turn left to reach and cross the Curiasca stream. The marked path gradually climbs upwards through two hairpin bends.
At the second bend, go down the path marked "Eremo di San Michele" to the left to reach your destination. The return to Bobbio is by the opposite route.

Departure : Abbey of San Colombano, Piazza San Colombano, 29022 Bobbio
Arrival : Eremo di S. Michele, 29020 Coli
Towns crossed : Emilia-Romagna