Attractions and Places To See around Stradella - Top 20

Torre de' Negri is an Italian municipality in the province of Pavia in Lombardy. General information Population: Approximately 330 inhabitants. Area: 4.01 km². Altitude: 73 meters above sea level. Mayor: Mara Riboni. Borders: Belgioioso, Corteolona e Genzone, Costa de' Nobili and Spessa. Official website: Comune di Torre de' Negri Historical notes Origins: Historically mentioned around 1250 as Domus Scanatorum or Torre degli Scanati. Negri family: It became the property of the Negri family from 1361, transforming into a fiefdom in 1697 and obtaining the title of counts in 1706. Modern history: Suppressed and united with the municipality of Belgioioso in 1929, it was re-established as an autonomous municipality in 1947

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 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.

Unfortunately, this church of St. James on the Via Francigena was closed.

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/

The current urban structure is the result of the Po floods that often hit the city in the past; the most serious occurred in 1786. Today it is an agricultural centre and poplars are grown there. The parish church dedicated to Sant'Antonio Abate was built in 1394 by order of Umbertino Negri. The patron saint is celebrated on 17 January.

The Via Francigena passes through the municipality of Linarolo, which belonged to the Order of the Knights Templar. The passage of pilgrims is confirmed by the existence, in the past, of a hospital for the Romans, mentioned by the Duke of Milan Gian Galeazzo Visconti in his Itinerary for pilgrims on the way to Rome, dated 1400. The woods and the proximity of the river were the ideal setting for nature walks and the re-enactment of an evocative history. The city is located in an area that was very popular in the Middle Ages, where the Strada Regina passed, via San Leonardo and Ospedaletto. The road connected Piacenza with Pavia along the Po and was the continuation of the Via Emilia (Rimini-Piacenza).

The current urban layout is the effect of the floods of the Po that have often hit the town in the past; the most serious occurred in 1786. Today it is an agricultural center and poplar cultivation is practiced there. The parish church dedicated to Sant’Antonio Abate was built in 1394 by order of Umbertino Negri. The patron saint is celebrated on January 17. https://www.viefrancigene.org/it/resource/poi/torre-de-negri/