Rivanazzano Terme in the heart of Oltrepò Pavese

In the hills of Oltrepò Pavese, Rivanazzano Terme is a mix of history, relaxation and culture made up of beneficial thermal waters and a fascinating past.

Cover image taken from the in-lombardia website

A plunge into history

Rivanazzano’s origins date back to Neolithictimes, with archaeological finds testifying to the presence of human settlements since ancient times.
Recent excavations have also brought to light the remains of Roman villas at Cascina Boarezza and Cascina Isola Felice. 🏛️

In the 12th century, the village of Ripa located closer to the Staffora river became an important strategic point.
In 1164, Frederick Barbarossa assigned the territory to the Malaspina family and in 1191 his son Henry VI included it among Pavia’s dominions.
The locality just further on, Nazzano, became a fortified outpost under Gian Galeazzo Visconti.
In 1609, the feud passed to the Mezzabarba family of Pavia, who united the two villages in 1613.
The Lombard section of the Via del Sale, on which mules transported the ‘precious white gold’, passes through Rivanazzano. 🫏

Thanks to its water springs rich in sulphur and iodine, Rivanazzano is also known and appreciated as a spa resort, which is why, by referendum in 2009, the municipality took the name Rivanazzano Terme.

What to see in Rivanazzano Terme

Strolling through Rivanazzano means immersing oneself in a village that preserves the charm of the past, amidst historic palazzos, churches and mediaeval testimonies:

• Teatro Comunale, former multi-purpose hall of the Società Operaia e Contadina di Mutuo Soccorso, a meeting place for the people of Rivanazzo
• the central 12th-century Pentagonal Watchtower, which was part of an ancient fortress
• Quirici Oratory Chapel (18th century), located in the Villa Corolli Quirici.
• The old town hall, in Gothic style, with pointed arch porticoes
• San Germano parish church, with works by Paolo Borroni and a historic Serassi organ.

The charm of Nazzano

The village of Nazzano, a short walk from the centre of Rivanazzano Terme, stands on a panoramic hill. Here you can admire:

• Nazzano Castle (11th century) built by the Malaspina family.
• Villa San Pietro
• Church of Our Lady of the Mount

The Castle and Noble Villas

🏰The Malaspina Castle served as a sentinel over the Staffora Valley. Clearly visible at the top of the hill even from a distance, it is built of brick, has a main body with a rectangular plan and a high crenellated tower with a square plan.

Villa San Pietro is an 18th-century residence right next to the castle.

Outside Rivanazzano Terme, in the direction of Voghera, there is an old mansion – Villa Maria – that among its many rooms (as many as 27) has also hosted illustrious personalities such as the painter Renato Guttuso 👨‍🎨.

The power of thermal waters

⛲The Rivanazzano spa, with its sulphurous and salso-bromo-iodine waters, is perfect for relaxation and body care.

Events and traditions

Rivanazzano Terme celebrates with various events throughout the year:

• San Germano, first Sunday in August.
• Our Lady of Mount Carmel, 15 August.
• April Fair, second Sunday of the month.
• Infiorata and Feast of the Holy Trinity, between May and June.
• The Night of the Witches, in Nazzano, on the Saturday closest to 24 June.
• Le Temps Retrouvé, summer antiques market.
• Autumn Fair, October.
• Christmas Market

🍽️Sapori authentic: typical products

The Rivanazzano Terme area offers food and wine excellences such as:

• Local cheeses (Stafforella, Casanova, Stafforino, Molana, tomino, caprino).
• Honey
• Oltrepò Pavese wines.

This ‘menu’ of very ancient origin deserves a separate mention.

The Seven De.Co. Dinners, a Christmas tradition with seven lean courses, was eaten on 23 December and was accompanied by the typical bread of the area, the miccone:

1. Anchovy, pepper and beetroot salad
2. Pumpkin pie
3. Lean-filled onions
4. Headbands of the Child with the garlic (of the lasagne)
5. Cod with sultanas
6. Cheese with mustard
7. Giasò pears (frozen pears) with cooked chestnuts

ℹ️Informazioni useful

For those wishing to visit Rivanazzano Terme, here are some useful references:

• Terme di Rivanazzano, corso Repubblica 2 – www.termedirivanazzano.it
• Albergo Selvatico, via Silvio Pellico 19 – www.albergoselvatico.com
• B&B Spirito Libero Country House, via Arno 10 – www.bbspiritolibero.it

With its history, spas and flavours that trace ancient traditions, Rivanazzano Terme is an unmissable destination for those who want to discover all the beauty of theOltrepò Pavese.