|
The area of Oltrepò is a
sea of undulation hills. Various shade
of green blend and harmonize: they
are the leaves of the vines, the beech
trees and the oak trees, of the density
of the underbrush in the forests or of
the soft meadows of aromatic medicinal
herbs.
The Oltrepò is the colour of the earth.
The clay that turns terracotta red in
the houses made of brick and in the
color of the roof tiles. the gray and
ochre color in the stone houses and the
delicate sandstone of the portals and
the architectural elements on thousand
year old churches and ancient
buildings.
The Oltrepò is a small triangle of
Lombardia wedged between Piemonte and
Emilia Romagna, almost licking the coast
of Liguria, held back only by the
Apennine range.
In antiquity, this was a land conquered
by the Gallic and the Ligurians; they
formed the first settlements of
Clastidium and Litubium, presently
Casteggio and Retorbido.
The Romanization of the territory
contribuided in providing a specific
geographic order and opened up important
connecting roads in the area.
Fortresses and castles tell the medioval
story.
The tower of Oramala, where the
Malaspina family gave refuge to poets
and troubadores, the castle of
Zavattarello where Jacopo dal Verme
founded one of the most important
military schools of Europe at the and of
the 1300s, the castles of Montesegale,
Stefanago, Torre degli Alberi, Rocca de
Giorgi, at one time defensive ramparts
and later hunting lodges.
The oltrepò is a land of "history,
battles and love stories". |
The
Oltrepò is art and culture.
At the Certosa Cantù of Casteggio the
Archaelogical Museum Holds traces of the
most remote past, the ancient churches
of San Zaccaria and Montaldino are
example of Romanesque architecture and
sculpture, the hermitage of Sant'Alberto
di Butrio holds valuable fresco cycles.
The rigor
of neoclassical forms of the 1700s can
still be found in the curches and
buildings of the major city centers.
Paolo Borroni, who was from Voghera and
among the favorite portait printers of
the noble families from Milan, left
important works in the churches of his
city.
The Oltrepò is a land of flavours and
good libation.
Infact the most important product of the
area is wine as is confirmed in the
landscape covered with vineyards as far
as the eye can see and by the
prestigious wine cellars.
A thousand year old tradition results in
the production of notable wines such as
Bonarda, Pinot Nero, Riesling, Moscato,
the quality of which is recognized
worldwide.
More niche wines, for their limited
production, are the prestigious
Buttafuoco and Barbacarlo.
The traditional cousine of the area
prides itself on perseiving ancient
recips which are repeated accor ding
to the passage of seasons, rivisited for
their purity by the able hands of chefs.
Ravioli filled with stewed meat, rich
risottos with mushrooms, aromatic herbs,
fragrant truffles, appetizing cheesesand
flavorful processed meats, above all the
renowed Varzi salame.
The Otrepò
is well being.
The mild climate of the hills, the
enjoyable walks, the ability to mountain
bike or to take a ride on horseback and
priceless presence of the thermal waters,
used at the Salice Terme and Rivanazzano
Spas make thi area a true wellness
destination.
|
