Lomellina and Oltrepò Pavese

<< Lombardy

The Province of Pavia includes the historic regions of Lomellina and Oltrepò Pavese. Lomellina is the northwestern part of the province, and it is part of the Po Valley. This is an agricultural area, and the main center here is Vigevano. The Oltrepò Pavese is located south of the Po river and its largest town is Voghera. From north to south, this area includes the plain near the Po river, a hilly region, and finally a section of the Apennine mountains.

Vigevano

Vigevano is the second largest city in the Province of Pavia, and the main center of the historical region of Lomellina. Founded in the Early Middle Ages, it was contested for centuries between Pavia and Milan. After a period as a free comune, Vigevano was conquered by Milan and remained the most important city in the area. Now it is mainly an agricultural center featuring some historic attractions.

Sforza Castle of Vigevano

The Sforza Castle of Vigevano (Castello Sforzesco di Vigevano) is a fortified complex in the center of Vigevano. Built in various phases during the Late Middle Ages, it was transformed into the residence of the ruling Sforza family in the 15th century. The castle features a tall civic tower and a series of connected historic palaces and fortifications. The complex houses the art gallery Pinacoteca Casimiro Ottone, the International Footwear Museum (Museo Internazionale della Calzatura), which hosts a collection of historic footwear, and the National Archaeological Museum of Lomellina (Museo Archeologico Nazionale della Lomellina), featuring various local archaeological findings.

Vigevano Cathedral

Also known as: Cathedral of Sant’Ambrogio

The Vigevano Cathedral (Duomo di Vigevano) is the main church in the city, erected between the 16th and 17th century. The church features a concave facade and various Mannerist frescoes, artworks, and decorations. Adjacent to the church is the Museo del Tesoro del Duomo di Vigevano, a collection of historic pieces of religious art, tapestries, and many other artworks. The cathedral faces the large Piazza Ducale, the main square of Vigevano.

Palestro

Palestro is a small town in the Province of Pavia, near Vercelli. The settlement is best known for the Battle of Palestro, in which the Sardinian and French army defeated the Austrians in 1859, during the Second Italian War of Independence.

Ossuary of Palestro

The Ossuary of Palestro (Ossario di Palestro) is a large war memorial erected near Palestro at the end of the 19th century to commemorate the Battle of Palestro that was fought here in 1859. Both the exterior and interior of the monument are richly decorated.

Voghera

Voghera is a city located south of Pavia, and the most important town in the Oltrepò Pavese. A city of ancient origins, it rose to prominence in the Late Middle Ages as a center of local trade. Ruled for centuries by Milan, it was taken by the Kingdom of Sardinia in 1743, and it became part of Lombardy after the unification of Italy.

Duomo of Voghera

The Duomo of Voghera is the main religious site in the city. This Renaissance chruch was built starting in the 17th century to replace a previous building. The church features a large dome and it houses a few interesting artworks and relics.

Visconti Castle of Voghera

The Visconti Castle of Voghera (Castello Visconteo di Voghera) is a medieval castle erected during the 14th century in Voghera. The castle was later reworked and used as a residential palace and then as a prison. Now restored, the castle features a few ancient frescoes and some halls can be visited.

Caserma Vittorio Emanuele II

The Caserma Vittorio Emanuele II is a former military complex erected in Voghera during the 19th century. Now part of the building hosts the Giuseppe Beccari Historical Museum of Voghera (Museo Storico di Voghera Giuseppe Beccari), a museum of military history that features some important pieces, and the Natural History Museum of Voghera (Museo di Scienze Naturali di Voghera), which hosts collections of zoology, paleontology, mineralogy, and botany.

Montesegale

Montesegale is a small hamlet in the Province of Pavia, located among the hills of the Oltrepò Pavese.

Montesegale Castle

The Montesegale Castle is a large fortification located on a hill in Montesegale. Originally erected in the Late Middle Ages, it was reworked and restored various times and it features buildings of different eras surrounded by imposing walls.