Montalto Pavese: a village full of treasures to discover

Montalto Pavese is the ‘queen of the Oltrepò Pavese’, due to the dominating position of the grandiose castle at the top of the hills above Casteggio. A village rich in treasures to discover.

Cover photo from Comunità Montana dell’Oltrepò Pavese website

The particularities of Montalto Pavese

The village is famous for its imposing castle with garden towering 350 m above sea level and for its wine production, but it also has many other surprises in store.

Montalto Pavese is included in the circuit of theNationalAssociation of Wine Towns.
It is one of the most representative places for Riesling along with many other villages such as Calvignano, Castana, Casteggio, Mornico Losana, Oliva Gessi, Rocca de’ Giorgi.

The municipality is part of the lower belt of the Oltrepò Pavese mountain community. The area, and in particular the locality of Belvedere, is ideal for paragliding, an experience that can be enjoyed from the top of a hill subject to strong winds between the Scuropasso and Ghiaie valleys.

The village is also known as the birthplace of Gaspare Antonino Pietro Gatti (Luigi), the maître d’hôtel of the Titanic’ s luxury restaurant who unfortunately did not survive the dramatic shipwreck.

Finally, Montalto Pavese is the birthplace of Paolo Repossi, author of several novels set in the countryside, in the hills and villages of the Oltrepò Pavese.

History

In Roman times, Montalto Pavese was a pagus (rural district), as evidenced by some archaeological finds.
The first historical reference dates back to 962, when Emperor Otto I donated part of the territory to the Pavese monastery of Santa Maria delle Cacce. Montaltum first appeared with the name Monte Alto in 1034.

In 1164, the village came under the rule of Pavia, which ceded it to the Belcredi family. In 1470, the fief became a county and the fortress was completed with a crenellated tower by Galeazzo Maria Sforza. Later, in 1617, the earldom was sold to the Taverna family, Counts of Landriano. In 1658, the Belcredi regained the fief and retained it until the end of the feudal period.

The fief, which later became a marquisate, also included Oliva Gessi, Mornico Losana, Torricella Verzate, Lirio and Montù Berchielli (in the municipality of Rocca de’ Giorgi); the hamlets of Finigeto and Villa Illibardi are also mentioned among the settlements.

Montalto Pavese is the name it was given after the unification of Italy.

What to see in Montalto Pavese

Key attractions include:

• Belcredi Castle, whose construction began in 1593 by order of Filippo Belcredi.
  It is one of the best-preserved castles in Lombardy. It is an imposing and elaborate palace with a U-shaped floor plan, built of stone and exposed red brick. The building is over 120 m long and about 15 m high.
  Montalto Castle also has a large square tower visible from afar and is further embellished by two beautiful gardens on the north and south sides: one in Italian style with regular avenues, hedges forming geometric patterns, statues, fountains and steps, the other in English style, shaded by larch, oak and chestnut trees.
  On the huge terrace, one can admire the hills of the surrounding villages in all their beauty.
  As the mansion is privately owned, it is not open to the public except for special events such as those organised by the FAI.
• ⛪Parish church of St Antoninus Martyr, with frescoes and a marble bas-relief of the Annunciation (15th century).
• 🐝MuseodelleApi, located in Palazzo Cristina, guides visitors through the world of bees, through an educational and sensory journey dedicated to beekeeping techniques in the 20th century.
• Grand BankNo 161 yellow, installed in 2021 on the Costa del Vento in Belvedere, overlooking the sunset and surrounded by an area ideal for trekking and paragliding.

Food & Wine & Tourism

Image of the wines from Finigeto Winery – Image of the Riesling Valley from the Marchesi di Montalto website

• RistoranteItalia: a historic restaurant that prepares ravioli, pisarei, pappardelle, desserts and even coffee from its own roaster! – Piazza Vittorio Veneto, 22
• Agriturismo Cella di Montalto, also educational farm – Località Cella, 17
• Agriturismo La Colombina, with a rural atmosphere and typical cuisine – Località La Colombina, 1
• Azienda AgricolaFinigeto farm producing wine and extra virgin olive oil -LocalitàCella, 27
• Marchesi di Montalto winery producing sparkling wines, riesling, riesling grappa, white macerates and other wines – Frazione Costa Gallotti
• La Piotta founded in 1985, certified organic since 2005, produces riesling and other wines – Cascina Piotta, 2
• Cà del Gé: vineyards and a large tasting room to taste riesling and other wines from the winery – Cà del Gé
  
  What else is there to do in Montalto Pavese?
  
• E-Bike Travel Montalto Pavese Franchise network for the rental and sale of e-bikes – Piazza Vittorio Veneto, 11. Tel. 383 870 274
• Aero Club Lombardia Giocodelvolo flying school – Frazione Costa Gallotti, 2. Tel. 348 4107103

Video from the Game of Flight website

Local products

• Renowned winesand grappas from wineries in Montalto Pavese and surroundings
• Honey and apiculture products
• Traditional cheeses and cured meats, valued for their good taste and their connection to the area.

Annual festivals

• Summer festival (last weekend of June)
• Courtyards of Flavours (third weekend in July): local wine and culinary delights are tasted in the village courtyards
• Feast of the Mother of Jesus (second Sunday in October)
• St Martin’s Fair (11 November or next Sunday), with mulled wine galore

Nearby

If you go a few kilometres further, you can also visit:

Casteggio – the ancient Roman Clastidium
Calvignano – village with the remains of a medieval castle and Grand Bank No 149
Corvino San Quirico – with the parish church of San Quirico and the castle
Borgoratto Mormorolo – with the parish church of Saints Cornelio and Cipriano and the first self-service wine distributor in the Oltrepò Pavese area, founded by the Saviotti family, whose food and wine baskets have always promoted the excellence of the area
Mornico Losana – with a castle and a beautiful outdoor swimming pool for the warm months of the year

There is so much to see, visit, drink, eat and do in and around Montalto Pavese.
Get up at sunrise and return late at night for a fantastic day full of adrenaline, good food, nature walks or, why not – all of the above.