Codevilla, from Roman times to today

A fascinating corner of Oltrepò Pavese

Between the foothills of the Oltrepò Pavese and the Po Valley, Codevilla stands out for its rich historical and cultural heritage. Situated between the rivers Luria and Corbetto, the village preserves traces of its Roman and medieval past.
According to tradition, in the hamlet of Casareggio there was a hunting lodge of the Lombard king Alboino and meetings took place on his estate between the king and the peasant Bertoldo, a legendary figure in popular literature.

Other hamlets in the municipality of Codevilla are Pontazzo, Piana, Rasei, Garlazzolo with its sulphurous springs and Mondondone, whose fortress has unfortunately been destroyed.

Cover image taken from the municipality’s Codevilla website

A dip into history

Codevilla’s origins date back to Roman times, as a strategic settlement on the road connecting Clastidium (Casteggio – PV) to Dertona, the Latin name for the ancient city of Tortona, a very important Roman colony in Piedmont.
The first documented mention dates back to 482 with the name Lutae, derived from the Latin lutum (mud).
The settlement probably served as an outpost of the castle of Mondondone.

How did the current name Codevilla originate? The ancient village was destroyed at the hands of the Swabian Empire and was probably rebuilt at a site not far from the first Lutae settlement, higher up, al ‘cò dla vila’, i.e. in a higher part of the village. The name Codevilla appeared in official documents from the 12th century onwards.
In 1164, Frederick Barbarossa donated the village to the monastery of the senator of Pavia.

In the following centuries, the village passed into the hands of several noble families, including the Visconti, Beccaria and Rovida families.

Images taken from the website of the municipality of Codevilla

Prominent personalities from Codevilla

Codevilla was the birthplace of important figures in Italian history, including Maria Giudice, a trade unionist, journalist, feminist and activist for the emancipation of women through economic freedom. She was the first female secretary of the Voghera Chamber of Labour and mother of the writer and actress Goliarda Sapienza.

Another prominent personality born in Codevilla is Maria Maddalena Rossi, a chemistry graduate from the University of Pavia, politician and anti-fascist, elected to the Constituent Assembly in 1946.
Her valuable private art collection, donated to the municipality, includes works by artists such as Guttuso, Sassu, Mafai and Rotella.

What to see in Codevilla

The village offers a number of attractions:

• Casa Lodi, a 17th-century mansion that has remained almost unchanged
• Tenuta Montelio, one of the oldest wineries in Oltrepò Pavese, with a historic underground cellar and 13th-century ice cellar
• Art Nouveau PalazzoRovida

Traditions and holy places

Of the religious buildings, the following stand out:

• the shrine of the Nativity of Mary with medieval frescoes
• the church of San Rocco, with a small temple depicting the Madonna and Child, dating from the end of the 15th century
• the parish church of San Bernardo Abate, dating from the 16th century, with a Baroque façade and a valuable Serassi organ

Landscape and nature

🏔️Gli Nature lovers can climb to the giant orange and white bench No 139, located on Monte della Guardia di Mondondone, from where there are spectacular views of the Alps and Monte Rosa and the surrounding vineyards that produce excellent Oltrepò Pavese wines.

Map taken from the website of the municipality of Codevilla

The area is also characterised by calcareous sediments and fossils that testify to the ancient presence of the sea.

Events and gastronomy

Codevilla is also known for its annual events, including:

• Agostissimo Codevillese (August)
• Patronal feast of St Bernard (20 August)
• Used and swap fair, every last weekend of the month (except July and August)

From an oenological and gastronomic point of view, the village offers high-quality wine production with wineries such as Montelio, Torrevilla, La Genisia and La Rochetta di Mondondone.

Codevilla enchants with its past, art, nature and wine tradition. An area worth visiting.