A short itinerary with a 500-meter elevation gain that leads to the Hermitage of Sant'Alberto di Butrio. In the first part of the ascent, you pass through Oramala and its castle. After reaching Poggio del Re, the route continues with gentle ups and downs. This hike through the hills of Oltrepò Pavese, starting from the village of Varzi, takes us to a very special place: the Hermitage of Sant'Alberto di Butrio. The village of Sant'Alberto di Butrio is named after the priest Alberto, who, having given away all his wealth to the poor, retired as a hermit in the mountains. Alberto built a small church there, placing it under the protection of the Virgin. Other men inspired by faith gathered around him, and thus the Abbey was born, governed by the rules of Saint Benedict. Gregory VII mentioned it in a letter to the monks in 1074, the year in which the founder and first abbot, Sant'Alberto, likely died. The Abbey, especially due to large donations from the Malaspina family and other lords, quickly became very wealthy. In 1158, the Abbot, now rich and powerful, purchased the County of Pizzocorno from Obizzo Malaspina. The Abbey became a destination for illustrious figures, and tradition says that Frederick Barbarossa stayed there and that the English King Edward II is buried there. In the 16th century, Pope Leo X merged it with the Abbey of Saint Bartholomew in Pavia. This led to a decline in the Abbey’s importance, and it was suppressed by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1810. The Hermitage of Sant'Alberto di Butrio, dedicated to the hermit abbot who founded the Abbey, is considered a jewel of medieval architecture. Nearby, the village of San Ponzo is of great interest. Completely built in local stone, it still retains the authenticity of its medieval layout. Not far away are the caves of San Ponzo, where the saint hermit from the Roman period lived. Near the caves, there is a spring of miraculous water and a resting area for visitors. Before reaching the hermitage, you will encounter the Castle of Oramala, which became the favored residence of the Malaspina court and hosted many well-known troubadours of Occitan Provençal culture. The castle, now a private residence, is currently closed to the public.  

Ancient castles, amusement parks and interactive museums. Discover what Lombardy offers for children. First stop, Milan.

A short distance from the village of San Ponzo, a hamlet of Ponte Nizza, entirely built from local stone, lie the San Ponzo Caves, where the Roman-era hermit saint once lived. Near the caves, there is a spring of miraculous water and a rest area for visitors. The cave can be reached via a consortium road of about 3 km and is visited by pilgrims who collect the drops of water seeping from the cave, believed to be miraculous. From the Church of San Ponzo, the path continues along forest trails toward the caves where the hermit lived, one of the most important fossil sites in the Oltrepò Pavese. Walking through centuries-old chestnut forests, visitors reach the point where the sandstone, carved by natural elements, has formed the caves where the body of San Ponzo was discovered. A small chapel has also been built here. After visiting the cave, the itinerary continues through oak and hornbeam forests, leading toward Mount Vallassa, reaching a natural terrace with a stunning view over the Staffora Valley and the high Apennines. Mount Vallassa Located at the border between Val Curone and the Staffora Valley, the mountain stands at an altitude of about 756 meters above sea level. Mount Vallassa is a popular destination for hikers and nature lovers. From its summit, visitors can enjoy a spectacular view of the Staffora Valley, stretching out at the mountain’s foot. Mount Vallassa is also an important geological site, containing numerous sedimentary rock formations dating back to the Jurassic period. These rocks have been studied by geologists and paleontologists for many years due to the presence of numerous fossils of plants and animals that lived in the region during that era. A Climber’s Paradise Helmet and carabiners in hand—climbers from all over northern Italy come to this valley. On the southern slope of Mount Vallassa, there are a series of stratified rocky ledges known as the Balze di Guardamonte, which serve as a year-round climbing area. The via ferrata routes vary in difficulty, catering to both beginners and experienced climbers. However, they should not be underestimated—they require good physical and technical preparation, as well as appropriate equipment. Beyond climbing, the Balze di Guardamonte are also a popular destination for hikers and trekking enthusiasts. (SOURCE: WWW.STARTOLTREPO.IT)

A dish from the Pavia Apennines featuring Deco Brallo potato gnocchi and Menconico black truffle.

A traditional pasta dish from the town of Canneto Pavese

The beautiful spring festival dedicated to the wise farmer Bertoldo

The botanic garden of Pietra Corva is located in the village of Romagnese (in the province of Pavia, Italy). Its setting is at the foot of Monte Pietra di Corvo, at 930 m, in the mountain region of Oltrepò Pavese ("Land beyond the Po River") which belongs to the Northern Apennines. It was founded by Dr. Antonio Ridella and it covers 3 hectare of land. The flora of this garden belongs mostly to the montane, subalpine and alpine zones of the Alps. Nevertheless it is also possible to see numerous species belonging to the Apennines, the Pyrenees and other mountain ranges worldwide. Here you may find some outstanding communities of particular genuses (Primula, Saxifraga, Gentiana, Iris, etc.). 

Iseo, Garda, Como. Boat trips on the Lombardy lakes offer an alternative point of view. From the lakes to the villages that surround them.

A journey in the small villages along Lake Maggiore to discover the tradition of ceramics

Discovering the wonders of Mantua and surroundings

Between scenic historic gardens, large forests and lakeside villages, the province of Varese is a treasure trove of arboreal jewels.

May enchants Lombardy, with opportunities to explore the outdoors, festivals and art and flower events