Attractions and Places To See around Belgioioso - Top 20

The Castello di Cigognola (often searched as Cicognola) and its famous Belvedere are one of the most iconic historical and scenic complexes in the Oltrepò Pavese. Located at an altitude of 309 meters in the municipality of Cigognola (Pavia), the complex strategically overlooks the outlet of the Valle Scuropasso into the plains. On clear days, the public Belvedere offers an extraordinary view that stretches from Pavia to Milan, even revealing the entire Alpine chain and Monte Rosa.

The Monument to the Washerwoman is a famous bronze sculpture located in Pavia, positioned on the riverbank in the characteristic Borgo Ticino district. The work is located at the entrance of Via Milazzo, immediately to the left after crossing the famous Ponte Coperto.

The Sanctuary of Santa Maria del Novello (also known as Santuario del Novello) is a fascinating religious building located in Travacò Siccomario, in the province of Pavia. This small country church stands in a suggestive and isolated position within the floodplain area, just a few steps from the main left bank of the Po River. Origins: The original structure dates back to the late 1500s (or early 1600s according to some local sources). It was commissioned by the Bonacossa family and built over a previous country oratory, of which it still preserves the original fresco of the Madonna inside. Protection from floods: According to popular tradition, the building was erected at that precise spot to invoke divine protection against floods.

The patronage of this shrine, dedicated to the Madonna, refers to the town of Loreto. This is one of the great and important Marian pilgrimage sites in Europe, along with Lourdes in the French Pyrenees and Fatima in Portugal. Unlike the other two places mentioned, however, Loreto is not known for apparitions of the Mother of God. Here, pilgrims can find something very tangible: Mary's childhood home in Nazareth (Israel). Her parents—not mentioned by name in the biblical writings of the New Testament—are mentioned in apocryphal traditions: Saint Anne and Saint Joachim are thus the grandparents of Jesus Christ (their common feast day in the calendar of saints is July 26). Crusaders likely dismantled the venerated building in Nazareth and brought it to Europe when the era of the Christian kingdoms in the Holy Land came to an end towards the end of the 13th century. But this very sober assumption is countered by a much more interesting legend: According to this, four angels carried out the translation and flew the house over the Mediterranean.

A memorial to the laundresses. Thanks to Willem VS for his excellent descriptions!

The Chiesuolo della Madonna di Loreto was built in three successive phases: The rural aedicule from the 15th century with an image of the Virgin of Loreto. The ancient oratory in brick from the 17th century, also dedicated to the Madonna di Loreto. The current church, dating from 1781. Architecture: The church has a single nave with a protiro (covered entrance) and is built of exposed brickwork. Inside there are frescoes and an altarpiece with the Madonna di Loreto. Significance: The Chiesuolo is also called ‘Il Chiesuolo’ and is dedicated to the Madonna of Loreto. It is an important historical testimony and a place of devotion. https://www.lombardiabeniculturali.it/architetture/schede/PV240-01108/

According to legend, some pilgrims wanted to attend midnight mass in the city on Christmas Eve in 999, but due to the thick fog their boats could not cross the river. Suddenly, a man dressed in red arrived and promised that he would immediately build a bridge in exchange for the first soul to cross the bridge. The man in red was the devil, and only the Archangel Michael, who had come from the nearby church, recognized him. Michael pretended to agree to the deal, but once the bridge was built, a goat crossed it first. The bridge is therefore also known as the Ponte del Diavolo ("Devil's Bridge").

The covered bridge has its origins in Roman times. The current one was constructed in the 14th century and covered in 1583. Upstream of the bridge you can still see pillars of the original bridge, reconstructed after the Second World War. A memorial stone on the bridge tells that Albert Einstein stayed in Pavia for several months and loved the place.