The municipality of Pieve del Cairo lies at the borders of Lomellina, separated from Piedmont by the waters of the Po River. A town with ancient agricultural traditions, it has been affected by the crises that have troubled agriculture, leading to the progressive depopulation of the municipality.The ancient settlement of Cairo, of Celtic-Ligurian origin, arose at the confluence of the Tanaro River into the Po, along the road that connected "Julia Derthona" (Tortona) to Tromello and Novara, leading toward Switzerland. This road, initially drafted during the Punic Wars, was extended to the Simplon Pass by Emperor Septimius Severus in 210 AD. Source: Municipality of Pieve del Cairo THE BECCARIA CASTLE OF PIEVE DEL CAIRO (13th - 18th century)One of the largest in the province of Pavia, Beccaria Castle, which still carries the name of one of the first families who lived there, stands out in the Lomellina and Pavia landscapes for its massive size. It is an example of great historical and architectural interest because, through the layering of styles, from the original remains of the 12th century to Visconti constructions, from Baroque innovations to Neoclassical features, it represents a magnificent example of architectural languages that have harmoniously fused over the centuries, within the rich context of the Lomellina countryside. Source and photo: FAI Fondo Ambiente Italiano

Montalto Pavese has a very fine sixteenth century castle, one of the best conserved in the region. The castle's beautiful furniture from a range of periods bears witness to the historical events it has witnessed and it is set into a beautiful scenario.   Photo: Gianni Santolin

O Oliva Gessi is a small municipality with 162 inhabitants, located in the hills of the Oltrepò Pavese, between Casteggio and Montalto Pavese, near the Rile San Zeno and Verzate streams. The second part of its name comes from the gypsum deposits, historically exploited and situated in the locality of Gessi. Oliva Gessi is home to the M. Defilippi Theatre, which, with its 100 seats in relation to its 175 inhabitants, can be considered one of the largest in Europe. The local parish church is dedicated to Saint Martin of Tours. Inside, there is a statue of Luigi Versiglia, a Salesian bishop and martyr who was killed in China in 1930 and canonized in 2000 by Pope John Paul II. In front of the church entrance, the "Path of the Martyrs" (Salita dei Martiri) was erected in honor of Saint Luigi Versiglia and Saint Callistus Caravario. In the center of Oliva, there stands a castle that the Isimbardi family transformed into a noble residence in the first half of the 19th century. THE CASTLE The castle has a quadrilateral layout, with a central courtyard and a large carriage entrance on the eastern side. A high wall encloses the castle on three sides, and the existence of a tower is hypothesized due to a protrusion on the northern side. These structures have undergone several modifications over time, eventually forming the quadrilateral complex that still stands at the highest point of the small village. Today, the castle is privately owned.Since 1999, the Antica Corte has hosted opera and symphonic concerts as part of the Ultrapadum Festival. BIRTHPLACE OF SAINT LUIGI VERSIGLIA Personal belongings, memorabilia from his life in China, photographs, documents, and other artifacts are carefully preserved for both religious pilgrims and general visitors. SOURCE: www.borghiecastelli.eu PHOTO: Piermaria Greppi Scotti  

In the early twentieth century a vineyard site was identified in the area which rises from Rocca de' Giorgi in the direction of Montecalvo Versiggia which has turned out to be the best zone for Pinot Noir and sparkling wine grape growing.

A stop along the Voghera-Varzi railway, which was active between 1931 and 1966 and has now been converted into a cycling and pedestrian path

Town of Art, Nature, and Imagination

The fifteenth century Inverno e Monteleone castle complex was founded by the Knights Hospitaller at the time of the Crusades. It was built on a rectangular plan with a central courtyard, towers at the corners, moat and ravelin. Two of the towers have square bases and the other two are cylindrical, an unusual choice in the Pavia area. Much altered over the centuries it maintained its importance at length and, up to recent times, its bell marked the rhythms of the day from the tallest tower.

Santa Giuletta Originally inhabited by Ligurian and Gallic tribes, later home to a Roman settlement, Santa Giuletta boasts an ancient winemaking tradition. Documents dating back to around the year 1000 describe it as one of the most vineyard-rich hill territories in Northern Italy. In 1879, researchers from the Botanical Garden of Pavia discovered one of the earliest outbreaks of downy mildew (Plasmopara viticola), a fungus of American origin that nearly wiped out Italy’s vineyards. Once part of the Feud of Broni (13th century), the area later came under the control of different noble families: the Beccarla in the 15th century, the Trotti and the Isimbardi in the 18th century. During the Kingdom of Savoy, it served as a district capital and, in more recent history, played a significant role in the Italian Resistance during World War II. What to See Santa Giuletta is home to several noteworthy landmarks: The Castle, located in the hamlet of the same name, sits atop a hill. Of the original 12th-century structure, only the underground cellars remain—once used as grim prisons. Today, the complex appears as an 18th-century neoclassical villa, extensively restored and currently undergoing further renovation under new ownership. The Castle Parish Church, also closed for restoration, was built in the 13th century and dedicated to Saint Julitta, a Greek martyr. It contains beautiful paintings in the Caravaggesque style. The Two Towers, one known as Sarolli-Griziotti, embody both romantic and Renaissance elements. A scenic road winds up from the town center on Via Emilia to the Castello hamlet, offering breathtaking views of the vast Po Valley on one side and the rolling hills and layered peaks of the Apennines on the other. Along this route, travelers pass historic vineyards and stunning organic wineries. Near the Castello hamlet, the Isimbardi-Vismara Castle and Parish Church stand out, with olive trees and thriving caper bushes growing on their southern slopes. The Doll and Toy Museum Once, the dolls of Santa Giuletta were famous worldwide. In the 1950s, newspapers ran extensive articles about this small town, entirely dedicated to designing and producing dolls with all their accessories. Nearly every household was involved in this craft, and around twenty factories employed about a thousand workers, not to mention the widespread network of subcontractors and home-based artisans across the region. It was a true local industry. Initially, the dolls were made of papier-mâché through a highly elaborate process and were primarily decorative pieces for newlyweds’ living rooms and sofas. Later, plastic replaced traditional materials, leading to innovations such as walking and talking dolls, followed by plush toys and other playthings. Today, this once-thriving industry has all but disappeared. To preserve this rich heritage, the Municipality of Santa Giuletta has curated a collection of dolls, toys, photographs, molds, tools, labels, and catalogs from the 1930s to the 1980s, now housed in a museum. The museum’s purpose extends beyond tourism to include cultural, historical, and educational initiatives. Over the years, workshops focused on artistic craftsmanship have been held, including one dedicated to doll-making. A new municipal library has been established alongside the museum, designed for exhibitions and research on dolls and local history. A highlight of the museum is its artisan workshop, where traditional papier-mâché dolls, modeled after pre-WWII designs, will be recreated. SOURCE: Municipality of Santa Giuletta

Its fortified village appearance is owed to the Belcredi family, who built a castle there to defend themselves from attacks by the Piacentini. It served as an outpost for the main castle of Montalto, the fief to which Mornico belonged. Over the centuries, it suffered several assaults and was assigned by the Sforza to various Piacenza families. Under Spanish rule, it returned to the Belcredi, who kept possession until the first half of the 19th century, transforming the fortified village into a manor house. The Castle, very evocative, now appears as a splendid residential palace and is used as a venue for events. It stands on the top of the hill and dates back to 1190. Given its position, it undoubtedly had a strategic function and served as an observation post against enemies coming from the valley below. Many noble families took possession of the manor over the centuries, including the Visconti, Sforza, Strozzi, Taverna, and Belcredi. The building visible today was entirely rebuilt in the 16th century. Only the perimeter foundations of the underground area remain from the medieval period.A crenellated tower rises to its full height, with its current appearance dating back to the late 19th century, while the loggia was added in the 1940s.Notable are the artworks inside, including several 18th-century paintings and a grand marble staircase dominating the entrance hall. At the entrance to the village, you can find a beautiful swimming pool surrounded by greenery, offering an exceptional view of the Oltrepò Pavese hills. Also noteworthy is the nearby chapel, which preserves a precious altarpiece and 18th-century paintings, as well as ancient liturgical books. (Source: www.borghiecastelli.eu)

Broni, before becoming a winemaking center, was a stronghold of the Beccaria family, lords of Pavia, and has a long and eventful history. From the hill, you can admire a splendid panorama — on clear days, it is even possible to see as far as Milan. The Basilica of Saint Peter the Apostle preserves a remarkable collection of handwritten volumes and ancient sacred vestments. Broni is home to the most important wine-producing company in the entire Oltrepò Pavese area and in Northwestern Italy. During the 2016 harvest alone, more than 429,000 quintals of grapes were processed. Between the end of August and the first week of September, one of the oldest local events takes place — the traditional Grape Festival, a celebration of the area’s most prized product: wine. A walk up to San Contardo Hill is also worthwhile. The path is marked by the twelve Stations of the Cross, created in 1996 in polychrome ceramic by the sculptor from Pavia, Angelo Grilli. At the top of the hill stands a small chapel dedicated to the patron saint, surrounded by blooming bushes of gentian and lavender.

P A town in the eastern Oltrepò, whose name originates from the chestnut groves that likely characterized the surrounding hills. Known in ancient times as castrum castanae (literally, the fortified center of chestnuts), Castana was already mentioned in Roman times as ad Castanem in the regional map compiled by the 19th-century historian Severino Capsoni. Located 25 kilometers from the provincial capital, Castana is a small rural town nestled between the Val Versa and the Valle Scuropasso, at just under 300 meters above sea level. In the center of the town are the remains of a medieval castle, built on a hill that dominates the valley, making Castana an important strategic hub. The castle was probably built by the Pavia monks of San Bartolomeo in Strada. The village experienced alternating fortunes over the centuries. In the 1200s, when Castana was just a fortified settlement surrounded by a few houses with straw roofs (as evidenced by a historical document from that period), it was devastated by fighting between the Cremonese and Piacentini forces, who were in conflict with the Marquis of Monferrato, who had sought refuge behind its walls. During the fighting, the castle was set on fire. In 1531, Castana was part of the Broni fiefdom, ruled by the Beccaria family. Upon their extinction, it passed to the Borromeo family and later to the Arrigoni and Pallavicino families. The transition from a medieval village to a renowned wine-producing center was not immediate, but it is certain that today Castana is much better known for its fine wines than for its, albeit interesting, historical and artistic aspects. From its vineyards come excellent red wines such as Barbera, Bonarda, Buttafuoco, Rosso Oltrepò, and Sangue di Giuda. THINGS TO SEE A destination for those seeking good wine and refreshment, especially in the summer, Castana boasts, in addition to the ancient fortress (which was rebuilt in the 1700s and later transformed into a noble palace by the then owners, the Pallavicini Trivulzio family), a parish church. Built in the 19th century, the Church of St. Andrew, now with three naves (the original design had just one), houses valuable paintings and recalls a curious tilted bell tower, which was later demolished for safety reasons and replaced with a "straight" one. SOURCE: UNIONE DI COMUNI LOMBARDA PRIMA COLLINA  

Cigognola is visible from a long way away. The castle's tower dominates the valley and from the top of the hill it seems to be welcoming visitors. On especially clear days you can see the Alpine mountain valleys and the Mt. Rosa massif. The town boasts one of the most beautiful castles in the Oltrepò Pavese area, built by the Sannazzaro family around the 12th century to guard the Scuropasso Valley and the trade routes of the nearby plain. Having lost its defensive function, the Castle of Cigognola was gradually transformed into an elegant aristocratic residence and, at the beginning of the 19th century, extensively restored and remodeled in Neo-Gothic style. In keeping with the Romantic revival of the Middle Ages, the imposing square tower and Ghibelline battlements were erected, while the portals were adorned with coats of arms and elegant terracotta decorations. Some external portions of the ancient fortress remained almost unchanged. The valuable furnishings date back to the early 20th century; later, the castle became home to a literary salon frequented by renowned poets and intellectuals. For a refreshing walk amid lush greenery, the Park of Remembrance (Parco delle Rimembranze) is worth visiting. Shaded by centuries-old horse chestnuts and cedars of Lebanon, it offers sweeping views stretching as far as the Alpine arc and Mount Rosa. At the heart of the park stands the monument dedicated to the Fallen of the two World Wars.