The Castle’s magic in Oltrepò Pavese

The Oltrepò has numerous castles full of charm and magic. Here are others to admire in the first hilly area of ​​the Oltrepo Pavese.

Rocca di Montalino / Montalino Fortress

It is located on a hill southwest of the city of Stradella , which is very easy to reach by taking the A21 Piacenza motorway, taking the exit at Broni-Stradella.

The Rocca di Montalino has a very ancient history: according to some documents, it dates back to the 10th century and had a defensive function, while in 1740 it was transformed to make it suitable for a civilian residence and is, today, privately owned.

Images taken from the official website of the Municipality of Stradella and from Regione Lombardia Beni Culturali

It has a polygonal plan with an irregular quadrilateral courtyard.
The upper floor is characterized by a sixteenth-century loggia.

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Castello di Castana / Castana Castle

Castana Castle is located between the Versa Valley and the Scuropasso Valley.
This ancient manor, once surrounded by a moat, seems to date back to before the year 1000.

It was rebuilt in 1700 and transformed, as a country house, into a stately home by the then owners (the Pallavicini Trivulzio family).

Immagini tratte da Regione Lombardia Beni Culturali

Nowdays it includes houses, a courtyard, a chapel, reception rooms, stables, warehouses, mews and even a large lateral terrace. Sadly it cannot be visited, because it’s privately ownership.

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Castello Belcredi di Montalto Pavese / Belcredi di Montalto Pavese Castle

Let’s move a little further south, to Montalto Pavese, in the lower part of the Oltrepò Pavese Mountain Community.

Its very well preserved 16th century castle is known as the “ Manor ”. More than a castle, it is an imposing stately home of large size.

Images from Wikipedia

The current construction began in 1593 under Filippo Belcredi; it is made of stone and exposed brick and is surrounded by two gardens: one Italian style, with regular avenues and geometric patterns, the other English style, with groves of larches, oaks and chestnuts.

It can be admired from the outside but cannot be visited, as it is private property.

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Castello di Oliva Gessi / Oliva Gessi’s castle

This castle on the top of the small town of Oliva Gessi has a quadrilateral layout, with a central courtyard. It is surrounded on three sides by high walls.

Images taken from Lombardy Region Cultural Heritage and Villages and Castles

The castle is now privately owned and for several years the Antica Corte has hosted lyric-symphonic concerts of the 
Ultrapadum Festival.

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Castello di Mornico Losana / Mornico Losana’s Castle

Since the 11th century, the Mornico Losana Castle has stood imposingly on the hill of the ancient village of Mornico Losana which was part of the fiefdom of Montalto .

It dominates the vineyards of Mornico Losana, Montalto Pavese and Montescano, with its elegant walls and its tall crenellated tower .

Images taken from the Mornico Losana Castle website

Remodeled over the centuries, it is a fairytale castle, with a splendid view and gardens shaded by large trees.
An ideal and truly suggestive location for wedding receptions and events in general.

Not far away, there is the Big Bench 198. Those who decide to take a trip to Mornico Losana, in addition to visiting the village and admiring the castle, can therefore also enjoy the view from this iconic Giant Bench.

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Castello di Pietra de’ Giorgi / Pietra de’ Giorgi’s Castle

At about 300 m above sea level, in a dominant position over the village of Pietra de’ Giorgi and the Scurpoasso Valley, stands the Pietra de’ Giorgi’s Castle. It dates back to the 15th century, but was built on a fortress – among the oldest in the Oltrepò Pavese – which dates back to 1012. It has a beautiful quadrangular tower crowned by Ghibelline battlements.

Images from Donna Vagabonda’s Blog

This fortress is half privately owned and the other half houses the Town Hall.

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Castello di Cigognola / Cigognola’s Castle

To conclude this virtual tour, the magnificent Cigognola Castle, that can be found not too far from Broni (and close to the entrance to the A21 motorway, Broni-Stradella).Due to its strategic position towards the nearby Emilia-Romagna, in the Middle Ages it was the object of many disputes.

In the 19th century, the Arnaboldi-Gazzaniga family renovated the castle in neo-Gothic style, adding Ghibelline battlements, decorations on the portals and coats of arms. From a defensive function, it then became an elegant aristocratic residence.

Images from Donna Vagabonda’s Blog

An access staircase, a polygonal courtyard inside, a high crenellated tower, a wall and an embankment make the Cigognola Castle a fairytale place.
Today the castle is part of the Moratti family’s winery.

Camera around your neck and backpack on your shoulders: here’s your next trip to the hills in Oltrepo!