from Travels of the late Charles Thompson esq., Vol. I, 1744

From Cremona we had fifteen Miles to Piacenza, or Placentia, fo call'd from its pleafant Situation, in a fruitful Plain, about half a Mile from the Po. It is a Bifhop's See, and has an ancient Cathedral, the Infide of which is well adorn'd. The Streets are broad, the Buildings regular, and the Squares fpacious; particularly that which has an Equeftrian Statue of Alexander I, Duke of Parma and Piacenza, in the Middle of it. We fee here a Fountain, which is much admir'd for its Antiquity, fuppofed to have been erected by Augustus Caesar. Here is alfo a Palace belonging to the Dukes of Parma. The City is wall'd round, has a ftrong Citadel, and other Fortifications. It is not populous; and its Trade confifts chiefly in Cheefe, being furrounded with the richeft Paftures, water'd with numerous Rivulets.