Although living in the province of Pavia, I had never happened to Vigevano. But a short time ago, a friend of mine invited me to lunch in this fabulous, simply beautiful city. It was going to be the wonderful sunny day with the fresh snow that looked like it was made of tiny diamonds. The visit was a wonderful adventure, with a bit of effort to find a parking lot clear of snow.
The square is beautiful, although it was not possible to see the wonderful drawings made with the black and white pebbles of the Ticino River.
Ludovico (Maria Sforza) the Moro, Duke of Milan, was born in Vigevano in 1452 and had this place built full of harmony and colors in 1492. He had the houses and shops demolished in the center of the city to make room for the Piazza Ducale which he thought as an entrance to his castle.
Although later the part that leads to its palace was replaced by the facade of the Duomo, however very beautiful but more baroque than the rest of the square.
It is said that both Leonardo da Vinci and Bramante were among those who designed the square. It is true that at that time the two artists were in Milan but nothing documented about their participation in the project never turned out.
Anyway, the square is really beautiful, the arcades supported by 84 columns, are beautifully decorated with frescoes since the beginning of the last century. It's a succession of shops, bars and restaurants, and the square remains the central point of the city. The Cathedral on one side, the Bramante tower that stands out behind on the other side, the Sforzesco castle that can be seen on the south side of the square, make a visit to Vigevano a day full of wonder.