Southern Lombardy Voyage Tips and guide

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Southern Lombardy is a northern region of Italy that includes the provinces of Cremona, Lodi, Mantova and Pavia. Geographically, it contains the part of the valley of the River Po, Italy's largest river, immediately north of the river, which to a large extent forms the border between Lombardy and Emilia Romagna.

• 45.3666679.6833331 Crema – a charming town, with one of the best medieval historic centres in the county
• 45.13333310.0247222 Cremona – has a monumental historic centre on the Po river, among the most notable in Lombardy, and the birthplace of the Stradivarius violin
• 44.9666679.33 Golferenzo – a picturesque medieval village nestled near the hillsides of the Oltrepò Pavese, surrounded by vineyards
• 45.3166679.54 Lodi – its monumental centre is noteworthy
• 45.15638910.7911115 Mantua – a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Gonzaga family made it one of the most refined courts of Renaissance Europe and their Ducal Palace is one of the largest royal palaces of the ruling houses.
• 45.29805610.4756 Castel Goffredo; and 45.410.57 Castiglione delle Stiviere – the birthplace of the International Red Cross
• 45.1852819.1558 Pavia – its monuments have been built out of reddish ochre bricks: the castle, the churches, the covered bridge, the palaces
• 45.2166679.3666679 Villanterio –
• 45.3166678.86666710 Vigevano – its Piazza Ducale is a splendid Renaissance work dominated by the soaring keep of its castle; it is a a city of art that preserves and offers important monuments of its illustrious past
• 44.99259.00916711 Voghera – the soberly elegant historic centre of the city is enclosed within the hexagonal circle of avenues that run along the route of the ancient walls

• 44.99259.009171 Oltrepò Pavese – a distrift with more than 4000 wineries, an many castles
• 45.3033339.4186112 Lodi Vecchio – about 7 km from Lodi, the ancient Laus Pompeia was located near today's Lodi Vecchio; the village was located on the confluence of the roads that from Placentia (Piacenza) and Acerrae (Pizzighettone) led to Mediolanum (Milan), and at the crossing point with the road that from Ticinum (Pavia) continued to Brixia (Brescia).

The province of Pavia consists of a flat part in the valley of the rivers Po and Ticino and a hilly part, called the Oltrepò Pavese. The latter part, although hardly known abroad, is in fact the largest wine producing region of Lombardy and has its own typical regional wines like Bonarda, Buttafuoco, Sangue di Giuda. The province offers some important sights of which the abbey of Certosa di Pavia is the most important. The city of Pavia itself is a nice, calm, relaxing historical city, with several interesting sights (tomb of Augustine, Boethius).

The Abbey of Certosa di Pavia 8 km north of Pavia is one of the largest monasteries in Italy. The Certosa is renowned for the exuberance of its architecture, and for its collection of artworks.

The Piazza Ducale of Vigevano is among the most beautiful Renaissance squares in Italy.

The hills and wineries of the Oltrepò is the largest wine producing area of Lombardy, but probably also the least known one of all Italy. All wine is produced for local use, Milanese clients and for use in the spumantes of other regions (Berlucchi). The area however is worth discovering and reminds one of Tuscany: smooth hills, vineyards, magnificent views, castles, medieval cities.

The International Museum of the Red Cross in Castiglione delle Stiviere exhibits the origins and evolution of this international humanitarian organisation and documents the Risorgimento roots of modern Italy.

Pavia is a safe town