Villanterio is located in the eastern Basso Pavese, spanning both banks of the southern Lambro river, on the border with the province of Lodi.   The origins of Villanterio date back to Roman times, but it was during the Middle Ages that the village gained strategic importance. Dominated for centuries by various noble families, including the Visconti and Sforza, it still preserves traces of its past in its historic buildings. Among them, the Castle of Villanterio stands out, once a defensive fortress and now transformed into a private residence. Palazzo Rizzi was built between 1540 and 1547 by Giovanni Angelo Rizzi, chamber secretary of Duke Francesco II Sforza of Milan and chancellor of the Milanese secret council. In 1538, he acquired the feudal jurisdiction of Villanterio from Emperor Charles V's imperial chamber. At that time, the old castle was divided among several noble families, so Rizzi bought all the small portions of the castle from the various nobles. The main floor of the palace was internally divided into a large hall and five consecutive rooms. All the rooms were covered by lunette vaults adorned with frescoes, with an extraordinary pictorial cycle that also extended along the walls. The last of the Rizzi family left the palace to Count Galeazzo Attendolo Bolognini (1667). From that moment, the palace began to decline and was downgraded to a residence for tenant farmers. In 1876, the Municipality of Villanterio purchased it from the Bolognini family to use it as an elementary school, municipal offices, and accommodation for the town clerk. (Source: FAI - Fondo Ambiente Italiano).

The municipality of Casei Gerola is located in the plains of the Oltrepò Pavese, on the border with the province of Alessandria, along the Curone stream, a few kilometers from its confluence with the Po River. In the surrounding area, the Parco Le Folaghe offers an ideal natural environment for hiking and outdoor activities. MONUMENTS AND PLACES OF INTEREST Insigne Collegiata San Giovanni Battista Church of San Sebastiano Sanctuary of Madonna delle Grazie di Sant'Agostino Church of San Guglielmo Castle Palazzotto del Carmagnola INSIGNE COLLEGIATA SAN GIOVANNI BATTISTA: A MASTERPIECE OF ARCHITECTURE AND GOTIC ART The Insigne Collegiata San Giovanni Battista, one of the main examples of Gothic Lombard architecture in the region, was built between the 14th and 15th centuries and, in 1573, received the title of Insigne Collegiata. The facade, simple and imposing, features a gabled structure in brick, enhanced by two lateral buttresses. The 15th-century terracotta portal adds an elegant touch to the entrance. However, it is inside the church where its true beauty is revealed, with a series of highly valuable frescoes adorning its walls. A particularly important element is the Cappella Bottigella, built in 1450 at the will of the Bottigella family and decorated between 1462 and 1468. This sacred space, the heart of the church, houses a cycle of frescoes attributed to the Master of Casei, an anonymous artist who captured sacred scenes such as the Annunciation, the Deposition, the Coronation of the Virgin, the Eternal Father, and saints Mark and Luke. Above the polychrome terracotta altar, which unfortunately retains only part of the original structure, there is a fine terracotta anchor, probably made by craftsmen from the Certosa di Pavia. Among the most valuable works is the polychrome terracotta altarpiece, which depicts the commissioner Giovanni Matteo Bottigella, adding immense historical and artistic value to the chapel. Another Renaissance treasure is the Triptych of San Martino, located above the door leading to the Bottigella Chapel. Traditionally attributed to Cesare da Sesto, the triptych represents one of the most significant Renaissance masterpieces of the Oltrepò Pavese, with three paintings that capture attention for their perfection and beauty. Finally, in the right nave, there is a large fresco of the Battle of Lepanto, dated to the end of the 16th century, which completes the artistic journey of this extraordinary place of worship, making the Insigne Collegiata San Giovanni Battista a true treasure chest of artistic and historical gems.

Cecima stands atop a plateau ridge, recognizable by its ancient church rising among the trees. The village has preserved its original medieval appearance, characterized by numerous architectural testimonies. The settlement is traversed by a maze of narrow alleys that intertwine, creating picturesque glimpses. The internal streets are paved with pebbles from the Staffora stream, the same material used for the exposed stone walls of many buildings. Of particular artistic interest are the bastions of the ancient walls, of which only a few ruins remain. Visible traces include the Porta Soprana, demolished in 1936, the now-filled moat, and the castle that once stood at the southwestern end of the village. In the square of the churchyard stands the Parish Church of Saints Martin and Lazarus, rebuilt near the previous 12th-century church, which collapsed due to minor landslides in the early 15th century. It was reconstructed in 1460 in a beautiful late Gothic Lombard style through the patronage of Cardinal Jacopo Ammannati Piccolomini, Bishop of Pavia. However, due to similar geological issues, structural damage appeared over time, leading the Superintendence to order its demolition for safety reasons. The façade, however, was entirely preserved and, thanks to careful restoration work, remains visible in all its splendor today. Inside the church, visitors can admire a precious 15th-century wooden polyptych. The church stands on a magnificent open space, acting as a natural balcony that, with a 200-meter drop, offers a breathtaking panoramic view of Mount Penice, Mount Boglelio, and the Staffora stream. Within the municipal territory lies part of the vast Guardamonte Castelliere, a pre-Roman settlement discovered in 1951 on the ridge between Val Curone and Val Staffora. This significant urban structure has yielded numerous archaeological finds, including artifacts and household items. Photo: Alessandro Vecchi - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0  

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The 2024 edition of the Italian Gravel Championship will take place in Golferenzo, a charming village perched atop a hill, part of the "Most Beautiful Villages in Italy," nestled among the hills and vineyards of Oltrepò Pavese. The Italian Gravel Championship is the highest national expression of the recent two-wheeled discipline, and for the summer of 2024, it will award its prestigious tricolor jerseys in the heart of Oltrepò Pavese, in Golferenzo. The event is scheduled for Sunday, June 30, for the race that will award the green-white-red title, open to both professional and amateur gravel riders. Among towers that rise towards the sky, castles, and valleys with breathtaking views, Golferenzo overlooks the vast and lush vineyards of the Valle Versa, a wine-producing area known for wines such as Riesling and Pinot. The route will pass through the territories of Rovescala, Bosnasco, Zenevredo, Stradella, Montescano, Montù Beccaria, Santa Maria della Versa, and Golferenzo. On the gravel roads that define the pristine territory of Oltrepò Pavese, the best gravel riders in Italy will compete on a route that allows Gravel to showcase its full potential: the courses that combine paved sections with stretches of gravel and dirt are the most suited for this type of event, which in Oltrepò Pavese is the norm. If we add the spectacular views that can be enjoyed in this area... The cyclists will have to endure the challenging 42 km course with 600 meters of elevation, but being surrounded by the charm of the vineyards and hills will help them recover their energy more quickly.

The Sentiero delle Fontane hiking trail is in the upper Val di Nizza. It is a 7 km route through the hills of the Oltrepò Pavese to show you the richness of the area, which is crossed by natural springs.   This valley, which is one of Lombardy’s most important wine-growing areas, is set in countryside that extends from the hills of the Ligurian Apennines to the Prealps. Spring turns the orange hues of autumn into lush expanses of green, splashed with flowers, and these panoramic views are dotted with picturesque villages to explore.  One of these is Poggio Ferrato, a mediaeval village 600 metres above sea level, and well known for its Autumn Festival, dedicated to local flavours and which attracts large numbers of visitors in October. This peaceful hill village is surrounded by vineyards, as well as being the starting point for the Sentiero delle Fontane trail. This begins at the Votive Chapel in Via delle Vigne, and continues, following the signs, past six active springs, through oak and beech woods, and past the old stone houses of Carasco, an early castle belonging to noble Lombard family, the Malaspina. Val di Nizza has plenty of hiking routes to enjoy on a sunny day, also setting out from the municipalities near Poggio Ferrato, such as Fortunago, but it is also dotted by characteristic mediaeval villages to visit in case of bad weather. They include Zavattarello, with Castello Dal Verme, an old stronghold that stands at the top of the village, and Varzi, with its little cobbled streets and panoramic views, which add to the nature experience with a dive into the history of Pavia.     

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