Magnificent and Mysterious Castles in the Oltrepò Pavese

The Oltrepò Pavese is a vast territory rich in castles , some of which are excellently preserved and open to the public.

Let’s start a short panoramic tour on the trail of magnificent and mysterious castles in the Oltrepo Pavese?

Castello di Nazzano

From the top of the beautiful square-plan crenellated tower that dominates the Staffora torrent valley, Nazzano Castle is clearly visible from a great distance.

Image from Wikipedia and Donna Vagabonda

The fortress – probably built around the year 1000, has undergone several restorations over the centuries.
Since the beginning of the 20th century it has been used as a residential residence for the Roverato Marquises.

Castello di Godiasco – Rocca di Montalfeo / Godiasco Castle – Montalfeo Fortress

This castle boasts a main hall with a coffered ceiling and frescoed walls, as well as other large rooms with vaulted ceilings supported by columns. The tower also has rooms structured in this way.

Another noteworthy feature of the Rocca di Montalfeo is the beautiful Italian garden.

Images taken from the Facebook page of La Rocca di Montalfeo

Godiasco Castle – currently owned by the Faravelli family – is open only for private events, such as conferences and ceremonies/weddings.

Castello di Montesegale / Montesegale Castle , Valle Staffora

Today the castle that dominates the village of Montesegale is owned by the Jannuzzelli family who has brought it back to its former glory. The construction probably dates back to the 11th century.

Images from altavaltrebbia.net

It is protected by a fortified wall with towers. In one wing of the castle there is a Museum of Contemporary Art which hosts exhibitions and, in the amphitheatre, classical music concerts are held.

Castello Malaspina di Varzi / Malaspina Castle

The Malaspina family owned the Varzi Castle since 1164, when they received it from Emperor Frederick Barbarossa, along with the lands between Rivanazzano and Varzi.
Over the centuries it has undergone various interventions.

The current structure has three cores: the oldest dates back to the 13th century, the second building is from the 15th century and the third, central one, is from the 1700s and is still being renovated.

The tower was built to facilitate communication between the village of Varzi and the Oramala Castle (fortified fortress in Val di Nizza), but it was also used as a prison for those accused of witchcraft: this is why it is known as the “ Witches’ Tower ”.

Images from Wikipedia

In the year 1839, the Malaspina family joined the Odetti family of Marcorengo through marriage.

The Odetti family, the current owners of the castle, deserves credit for being able to enhance this beautiful building, its thousand-year history and with it, has given voice and prominence to the entire surrounding area: in fact, it has transformed this beautiful castle into a true cultural project dedicated to public and private events.

The gardens and halls serve as a stage for concerts and events and also host wedding receptions.

Castello di Pietragavina / Pietragavina Castle

From the hill overlooking one of the medieval villages of Oltrepò Pavese, Pietragavina , stands this stone fortress, almost 900 m. above sea level, on the right side of the Staffora Valley.
It was part of the Malaspina fiefs and had a defensive function.

Images from Wikipedia and Quatarob Pavia

It has a semicircular structure, is equipped with bastions, a main tower with internal staircase, battlements and small loopholes. The main body has an atrium, a large living room with fireplace and other rooms that overlook a large garden of about 1000 square meters in which there is an ancient well .

Since it is used as a private residence, it is not possible to visit it but it is worth photographing the castle, enjoying the view and walking through the streets of the village.

Castello dal Verme / Dal Verme Castle, a Zavattarello

A fortress that probably dates back to the 10th century, built on the top of the village of Zavattarello , on the border with Emilia Romagna.

The Castello dal Verme is spread over approximately 40 rooms. It also has a stable, a watchtower – the only one of the four original towers that remains – and imposing walls that have protected it from numerous attacks over the centuries.

Images taken from Zavattarello Online

It also features a complex system of walkways open to the public along the walls , from which you can enjoy unmissable views.

Today, this wonderful castle lends itself to numerous cultural events and fairy-tale historical reenactments . The top floor of the castle hosts an Art Museum .
Interesting guided tours are also organised: consult the official portal directly .

Verde’s Castle and Park

In the hamlet of Valverde in the Comune di Colli Verdi, on a hill between Val di Nizza and Val Tidone, there once existed a fortification (probably a castle).

Today only a tower remains, but it is located inside a public municipal park that hosts the Butterfly Garden : the itinerary – with the collaboration of the Department of Ecology of the University of Pavia – leads to a kilometer of immersion in the kingdom of very rare butterfly specimens.
This Nature Reserve attracts tourists from all over Europe who dedicate themselves to butterfly watching .

Images from the article Castello Verde di Valverde

The remains of the Verde Castle, the Varzi Castle and the Oramala Fortress run along the 
Malaspinian Path , a path between the fiefdoms that belonged to the noble Malaspina family.

If you are wondering what to see in Oltrepo Pavese, these are truly enchanting places to admire, photograph, remember.

Which will be the next castles that ViviOltrepò will tell you about ?