Abbazia di Sant’Alberto da Butrio, near Ponte Nizza, was founded by hermit saint Alberto of Butrio in the 11th century on the summit of a limestone outcrop and soon became a Benedictine closed order. A painting inside shows the miracle performed by the saint in the presence of the Pope and three cardinals with which he proved that he had not committed the sin of breaking his fast as accused. In the surrounding area, the historic Pieve church of San Ponzo has a surviving attractive medieval plan with a beautiful church. It is for this reason that Ponte Nizza is a religious tourism destination.

A few kilometres away from Voghera near the Staffora stream, you come across the town of Rivanazzano Terme. The site is known as a well equipped spa town. Its bromide and iodide salt and sulphurous waters are popular for their high concentrations of elements which are indispensable for the healthy functioning of the body. Rivananzzano Terme's waters are especially suitable for respiratory, musculoskeletal and superficial vascular system cure, prevention and rehabilitation. They have also been found to be effective in curing rhinogenic deafness and skin conditions. Studies have been carried out on the beneficial effects of the waters on children in whom inhalation cures can prevent the respiratory conditions typical of the winter months.

Branzi, in the heart of Val Brembana, is where time follows a different rhythm, to the sound of rivers and the rustle of the woods. The village nestles among the mountains where it is the ideal destination for walks, hikes and snowshoeing for all tastes.   Branzi combines the beauty of natural landscapes with its picturesque centre, where the houses with their slate roofs, the quiet squares and stone bridges create views straight off a picture postcard. Along the route of the Borleggia river, with its bridges and cobbled streets, you can follow trails to take you into woods, the Branzi waterfall, and historic wards, with panoramic views over the surrounding mountains.  Every walk offers stunning views and, in the winter, is a perfect opportunity for a snowshoe outing immersed in the silence of the snow-covered woods. And the village has even more colour to offer at sunset. Branzi is also home to taste and tradition: it is here that the cheese of the same name, used in many local recipes - including polenta taragna  - is made. It is still possible to purchase typical local dairy produce, including yoghurt, cream, and other valley specialities. The village is definitely the perfect stop for combining your discovery of the mountains with the pleasure of fine dining. The area around Branzi takes in some enchanting panoramic views, including Lake Carona, where nature and silence blend together to offer a regenerating experience and the village of Cornello dei Tasso, where history and tradition come together in a setting that combines cultural discover and unique landscapes.  

A new network of hiking trails in Oltrepò Pavese.

Autumn in Lombardy is alight with festivals, feasts and fairs that bring together local traditions, cultures and flavours

Discover the places and flavours of Lombardy and pick the perfect venue for your wedding

A green way towards the Appennines

Discover the Big Bench of Varzi, one of the most scenic spots in the Oltrepò Pavese area. Located in the hamlet of Santa Cristina, it offers a spectacular view of rolling hills, woods, and medieval castles – a perfect destination for those who love photography, nature, and breathtaking landscapes. From this panoramic viewpoint, you can admire the historic castles of Pietragavina and Oramala, true gems of the area. Tradition tells that these fortresses were once allied to defend the valley from enemies coming from the Piacenza territory, a bond that still connects history and legend today. The Big Bench of Varzi is part of the Big Bench Community Project (BBCP), an initiative created by artist Chris Bangle to celebrate Italian landscapes and offer visitors a new perspective on local beauty. More information is available on the official website: bigbenchcommunityproject.org

Lombard vineyards and wineries are eager to welcome tourists and visitors to enjoy the last phases of the harvest. 

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.