The municipality of Pieve del Cairo lies at the borders of Lomellina, separated from Piedmont by the waters of the Po River. A town with ancient agricultural traditions, it has been affected by the crises that have troubled agriculture, leading to the progressive depopulation of the municipality.
The ancient settlement of Cairo, of Celtic-Ligurian origin, arose at the confluence of the Tanaro River into the Po, along the road that connected "Julia Derthona" (Tortona) to Tromello and Novara, leading toward Switzerland. This road, initially drafted during the Punic Wars, was extended to the Simplon Pass by Emperor Septimius Severus in 210 AD.

Source: Municipality of Pieve del Cairo

THE BECCARIA CASTLE OF PIEVE DEL CAIRO (13th - 18th century)
One of the largest in the province of Pavia, Beccaria Castle, which still carries the name of one of the first families who lived there, stands out in the Lomellina and Pavia landscapes for its massive size. It is an example of great historical and architectural interest because, through the layering of styles, from the original remains of the 12th century to Visconti constructions, from Baroque innovations to Neoclassical features, it represents a magnificent example of architectural languages that have harmoniously fused over the centuries, within the rich context of the Lomellina countryside.

Source and photo: FAI Fondo Ambiente Italiano