Palestro

Palestro is a village in the province of Pavia, nestled in the Lomellina plain along the banks of the Sesia river, full of surprises for visitors with its extraordinary historical, cultural and spiritual heritage.

Celebrated throughout Europe as the site of one of the most decisive battles of the Italian Risorgimento, Palestro proudly preserves its identity: that of a community that never forgets, that honours its fallen and welcomes pilgrims with the same quiet generosity with which its fields embrace the waters of the irrigation canals.

Whether you are a military history enthusiast, a pilgrim walking the Via Francigena, or simply a traveller in search of authentic villages off the beaten track, Palestro has something special to offer.

The Battle of Palestro (30–31 May 1859): Where Italy Was Born

The name of Palestro is inseparably linked to the Second Italian War of Independence. On the 30th and 31st of May 1859, the Piedmontese troops — supported by the famous Hunters of the Alps corps led by Giuseppe Garibaldi — engaged and defeated the forces of the Austrian Empire in what historians regard as the first great offensive success of the military campaign that would lead to the Unification of Italy.

The Battle of Palestro was no minor episode: it represented the reconquest of Lomellina, which had been overrun by the Austrians, and paved the way for the subsequent victories at Magenta and Solferino. It was here that the French contingent of Napoleon III's Zouaves fought side by side with the Savoy forces, earning the honorary citizenship of Palestro — a symbolic gesture that still today bears witness to the international nature of that struggle for freedom.

For those visiting Palestro with a historical interest, it is possible to retrace the sites of the battle, read the commemorative plaques and understand, through the landscape that remains wide and open to this day, the military strategy of that decisive engagement.

The Ossuary and the Commemorative Ceremony: Living Memory Every Last Sunday of May

At the heart of Palestro's collective memory stands the Ossuary, the funerary monument housing the remains of those who fell in the 1859 battle. This is no simple memorial: it is a place of genuine reflection, where every year, on the last Sunday of May, the entire community of Palestro gathers for a moving civil and religious ceremony.

The ceremony is attended by civil, military and religious authorities, together with citizens of all ages, in a gesture that goes beyond historical commemoration to become an affirmation of peace and respect for the fallen of every era and every nation. This continuity between past and present is one of the most touching aspects of life in Palestro, a village that has never stopped coming to terms with history.

Practical tip: If you plan your visit to coincide with the commemorative ceremony, you will have the opportunity to experience Palestro at its most authentic and communal.

The Parish Church of San Martino di Tours: A Thousand Years of Faith in Lombard Gothic Style

The spiritual roots of Palestro reach back to the year 1006, when a religious building dedicated to Saint Martin of Tours is first documented. Over the centuries, the original church underwent significant transformations: extensions in the sixteenth century and major restoration works throughout the nineteenth century progressively shaped the building we can admire today.

The façade of the present Parish Church of Palestro is built in the Lombard Gothic style, with its characteristic terracotta decorative motifs that engage in a dialogue with the architectural tradition of the Po Valley. The interior, a layering of different eras and devotions, preserves artworks and sacred furnishings that reward careful attention.

The church is more than a monument: it is the beating heart of Palestro's religious life, a point of reference for the community and, as we shall see, an essential stop for pilgrims walking the Via Francigena.

Palestro and the Via Francigena: A Pilgrim's Stop, Stamp and Hospitality

Palestro lies along the route of the Via Francigena, the ancient pilgrimage path that runs from England through the Alps to Rome, crossing some of the most silent and historically rich plains in Italy. For pilgrims walking the Lombardy section, Palestro offers a stop for rest and spiritual reflection.

The Pilgrim's Credential Stamp

The Parish Priest of Palestro is the official keeper of the pilgrim's credential stamp (the document that records the stages completed along the Via Francigena). The stamp can be requested directly at the parish during the priest's available hours.

Should the Parish Priest be unavailable, the passage can be certified at the B&B Ospitaliere La Torre Merlata, an accommodation in the village that offers hospitality to pilgrims. A practical solution ensuring that travellers do not miss out on the valuable attestation of their passage through Palestro.

Useful information for pilgrims: It is always advisable to contact the parish or the B&B Ospitaliere La Torre Merlata in advance to check availability and plan your stop accordingly.

The Landscape Around Palestro: Rice Fields, Canals and Lomellina Nature

Surrounding Palestro is the typical landscape of Lomellina, that stretch of the Po plain between the Po, the Ticino and the Sesia rivers which in spring transforms into a mirror of water dotted with rice fields. The roads crossing this territory are ideal for cycling and nature walks, uncovering an ecosystem that is home to herons, egrets and numerous species of water birds.

The rural landscape around Palestro, largely unchanged in its essential features, allows one to vividly imagine how the battlefield must have looked in May 1859: an open plain dominated by sky and horizon, where every troop movement was visible for miles around.

How to Get to Palestro

Palestro is located in the province of Pavia, in north-west Lombardy, and is easily reachable:

By car: from the A26 motorway (Genoa–Gravellona Toce), exit at Robbio, then take the SP596 towards Palestro. Approximately 70 km from Milan.

By train: the nearest station is Robbio (Mortara–Vercelli line), with onward road connection.

By bicycle: the area is criss-crossed by cycle paths and quiet country roads, ideal for cycling excursions through the Lomellina countryside.

Frequently Asked Questions about Palestro (FAQ)

When does the commemoration of the Battle of Palestro take place?

The commemorative ceremony takes place every year on the last Sunday of May, around the anniversary of the battle of 30–31 May 1859. It is attended by the local population and civil, military and religious authorities.

Where can I get the Via Francigena stamp in Palestro?

The pilgrim's credential stamp is available from the Parish Priest of Palestro. If he is unavailable, it can be obtained at the B&B Ospitaliere La Torre Merlata.

When was the Church of San Martino di Tours in Palestro built?

The first religious building dedicated to Saint Martin of Tours is documented in Palestro as early as 1006. The current structure, with its Lombard Gothic façade, is the result of sixteenth-century extensions and nineteenth-century restoration works.

Is Palestro on the Via Francigena route?

Yes, Palestro lies along the Via Francigena in its Lombardy section. It is a recognised stop for pilgrims walking towards Rome.