Attractions and Places To See around Barbianello - 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.

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

Montalto Pavese stands in a dominant position on the first hills above Casteggio, the beautiful castle (one of the best preserved in the region) with its Italian garden and its wine production.

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.

The Statua della Lavandaia in Pavia is one of the symbols of the city. This beautiful sculpture, created by local artist Giovanni Scapolla in 1981, recalls the time when the banks of the Ticino River were populated by women who washed clothes in the river. Giovanni Scapolla was inspired by his mother, a famous washerwoman named 'Sciura Teresina', who always wore a traditional 'caplina' on her head. Names of the washerwomen: The washerwomen often had nicknames related to physical characteristics. The most famous was 'Angiuleta', but there were others such as 'Marieta dai pe tort' (with crooked feet) and 'Gianina la culona' (the plump one). Method: The women worked all day on the riverbank. The clothes were soaked overnight in large concrete containers and then washed by the river using a wooden board (‘a scägn’). Men and children collected the washed clothes and delivered them throughout the city. It was hard and unprofitable work, with only one or two lira each. Singing and entertainment: To pass the time, the washerwomen often sang. One of their favorite songs was “La donna è mobile” from Verdi's opera Rigoletto. They even adapted the text: 'La dona l'è UN MOBIL da met in sala, l'om l'è un asin da met in stala', referring to the fact that men walked around all day while the women stood still to to wash.