Villanterio

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).