What to see and what to do in Oltrepo'Pavese

The Civic Accordion Museum was inaugurated in 1999 at the headquarters of Palazzo Garibaldi in Stradella. The Museum welcomes several specimens of accordion starting from the most rudimentary to the most modern preserved in shop windows and pedestals. The rooms also host certificates, testimonies and historical documents hanging on the walls such as the events of Dallapè and some fascist advertisements.

The Civic Natural Museum “F. Lombardi” was founded in 1979 with the intent of collecting archaeological materials and fossils found in the River Po'. Subsequently, his task was to give an exhaustive picture of the Oltrepadano naturalistic environment.

The Historical Museum of Voghera holds documents, weapons, memorabilia, uniforms and medals from the Napoleonic era to the present day. The Museum also houses the Beretta 34 gun that was used to kill Benito Mussolini and Claretta Petacci on 28 April 1945 in Dongo. The library and the attached archive keep letters from soldiers and officers from the front. There is also a painting with works by local painters among which Mario Maserati stands out.

The Museum of Natural Sciences was founded in 1971 from the will of a group of friends passionate about paleontology and mineralogy. During the Eighties the Museum became civic, donating its materials to the Municipality of Voghera. An exhibition path dedicated to botany and zoology has recently been inaugurated with windows that display the material found.

The Castle dates back to the 14th century, but it is assumed to have an even older origin. The current appearance is the result of a series of restorations that have had over the years. Currently, there are only a few ruins left, and its degree of maintenance is not very good. The building, today, is privately owned.

The castle takes its name from the hamlet in which it is located. It was built between the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries. It has a simple and linear structure, with a square plan, and at the corners of the square towers. Today it is clearly visible and is in excellent condition, except for the two towers that have been damaged over the centuries.

Branduzzo Castle is located in the homonymous municipality. In 1200 the structure was owned by the Botta family. Subsequently, it passed into the hands of different owners. According to some scholars, Bramantino worked in the castle, but there is no document that testifies to this fact. Currently, the castle is in a state of degradation and needs immediate restoration.

The Castle of Cigognola was built in the twelfth century with the intent to defend and control the traffic of nearby Via Emilia. It later became the home of the noble local families, reporting changes that turned it into a wine-growing promotion center. The Castle was recently restored by the current owners Letizia and Gianmarco Moratti.

The Ossuary of the Battle of Montebello is located in the area of the ancient cemetery. It was built on 20 May 1882 to remember the remains of the fallen of the three armies struggling with each other. In 1902 it was renovated by Egidio Pozzi as it was damaged and needed work. Today it is in excellent condition and every year the commemoration takes place.

The Castle of Montesegale was built in the twelfth century on the pre-existing remains of an eleventh century tower. The fortress consists of a set of buildings from different eras and impressive square towers. Indoors, today is home to the Museum of Contemporary Art of the country.

The Castle of Mornico is mentioned for the first time in a notarial act of 1350. It was home to the noble Belcredi family, who in the 18th century transformed it into a very elegant palace. After several renovations, the structure has assumed a Gothic aspect that it still maintains today.

The Dal Verme castle also known by the name Zavattarello, dates back to the tenth century and was erected by the Monastery of Bobbio. Over the centuries, it was the scene of many disputes. During World War II, the castle was damaged by a fire. In 1975, Count Giuseppe Dal Verme's family donated the castle to the Municipality of Zavattarello, which took care of restorations and maintenance, turning it into a hub of tourist and cultural attraction.

The Castle of Montu' was built in the twelfth century under the Belcredi family. It has an L-shaped structure and has been restored only lately, to readjust it to a private home.

It is located on a hill, elevated from the rest of the country and to the neighboring buildings. We talked about this building before the year 1000 of the Middle Ages. The castle stands out for its impressive crenellated tower, which is also the only testimony of the 'strong city'. Today the whole complex is used as private cockpits.

The Civic Tower of Stradella was built by Gian Galeazzo Visconti who had previously also wanted the fortress of the city. The Tower, from the Middle Ages, has Ghibelline battlements. It supports the new bell tower built after the sinking of the previous one in 1834.

The Visconti Castle was built around the 8th century. This construction is important for the fact that, over the years, it has been used with various functions, such as prison. Today, after many restorations, it is used by the Municipality for various events.

In the Historical Archives there are important documents that present the entire history of the community. In addition, the archive also contains testimonials from citizens. Those who want to know more about the history of this city can visit it freely. Admission is free.

Palazzo Dattili dates back to the Middle Ages and is famous because Napoleon Bonaparte stayed there after the battle of Casteggio-Montebello. Its structure is linear, with a neoclassical style and does not stand out compared to the other buildings in the area. Today it has the function of private property residence.

Historical news of the Castello dal Verme has been reported starting from the tenth century AD when it was part of the monastery of Bobbio. It is a fortress that dominates the town of Zavattarello in the province of Pavia. In 1390, the bishop of the Monastery gave the fortress to Captain Jacopo dal Verme who maintained the property until 1975. The castle has walls of about four meters thick, and consists of about forty rooms divided on several levels communicating through internal stairs.