Vigevano
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By Dion Protani
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Latest update: 30 December 2023
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The city of Vigevano is located within the Province of Pavia and has a population of 60,109 inhabitants. Standing at an elevation of 116 metres above sea level, it lies 35 kilometres south west of Milan, the regional capital of Lombardy.
Vigevano is best known for its beautiful square: the Piazza Ducale which is one of the most famous in the whole country. |
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Around Piazza Ducale
All of the city's main sights are around or very close to Piazza Ducale; they include the Castello Sforzesco, the 16th century Vigevano Cathedral and the Torre del Bramante. Vigevano is also a renowned centre for the shoe-making industry and you can explore this legacy at the city's shoe-making museum (Museo Internazionale della Calzatura).
The immense Castello Sforzesco dominates the town centre and occupies the area just to the south of Piazza Ducale. During the 13th and 14th centuries it was home to the noble Visconti family before the Sforzas moved in. The castle's name is usually ascribed to the Sforza family (Sforzesco being the derivative) but at other times is known as the Castello Visconti-Sforza.
The immense Castello Sforzesco dominates the town centre and occupies the area just to the south of Piazza Ducale. During the 13th and 14th centuries it was home to the noble Visconti family before the Sforzas moved in. The castle's name is usually ascribed to the Sforza family (Sforzesco being the derivative) but at other times is known as the Castello Visconti-Sforza.
Exploring the castle grounds
Within the expansive grounds of the castle are the aforementioned Shoe Museum and another museum called the Leonardiana which exhibits work by Leonardo da Vinci who is said to have frequented the town. One of the most interesting areas of the castle is the Strada Coperta, the "covered road" which connected it to the nearby Rocca Vecchia fortress.
High enough for horses and their riders to pass through, it allowed the higher echelons of society access between the important areas of the town without being accosted by the common peasantry.
From the adjacent Piazza Ducale the castle's Torre del Bramante climbs skywards as a symbol of the town's power and success. It takes its name from the architect Donato Bramante whose most famous work was carried out on St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. Whilst the tower dominates the skyline at the western end of Piazza Ducale, the opposite end is taken up by the Baroque facade of the 17th century Vigevano Cathedral.
High enough for horses and their riders to pass through, it allowed the higher echelons of society access between the important areas of the town without being accosted by the common peasantry.
From the adjacent Piazza Ducale the castle's Torre del Bramante climbs skywards as a symbol of the town's power and success. It takes its name from the architect Donato Bramante whose most famous work was carried out on St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. Whilst the tower dominates the skyline at the western end of Piazza Ducale, the opposite end is taken up by the Baroque facade of the 17th century Vigevano Cathedral.
Beyond Vigevano
Vigevano is a provincial town with a substantial population of around 60,000 but the sights described above are all within a relatively small area and therefore easy to get around. The further away you move from Piazza Ducale, the less interesting the sights become.
The town's train station is situated half a kilometre south east of Piazza Ducale, a walk of just over five minutes. From there you can reach Milan in around 40 minutes. Neighbouring cities such as Vercelli, Novara (both in Piedmont) and Pavia are reachable by train in around an hour or so but do require a change along the way. With a car it's easier to get around and see the best sights in the area such as the Certosa di Pavia (40 minutes) and the little towns close to Vigevano such as Morimondo (20 minutes) and Cassinetta di Lugagnano (30 minutes).
The town's train station is situated half a kilometre south east of Piazza Ducale, a walk of just over five minutes. From there you can reach Milan in around 40 minutes. Neighbouring cities such as Vercelli, Novara (both in Piedmont) and Pavia are reachable by train in around an hour or so but do require a change along the way. With a car it's easier to get around and see the best sights in the area such as the Certosa di Pavia (40 minutes) and the little towns close to Vigevano such as Morimondo (20 minutes) and Cassinetta di Lugagnano (30 minutes).
Comune di Vigevano
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Province: Pavia
Region: Lombardy Population: 62,201 (source: ISTAT 1 January 2023) Size: 82 km² Elevation: 116 metres Highlights: Piazza Ducale, Castello Sforzesco, Vigevano Cathedral Close by: Morimondo, Pavia, Busto Arsizio, Milan, Lodi, Novara Recommended accommodation: Hotel del Parco |
