Corvino San Quirico is a small municipality located in the heart of the Oltrepò Pavese, in the province of Pavia. With a population of fewer than 1,000 inhabitants, this village sits on a hill overlooking the surrounding plain, offering breathtaking views of the Lombard countryside. The town is known for its characteristic rural landscape, dotted with vineyards that produce some of the region's finest wines. Viticulture is one of the main economic resources of the area, and the local wineries are a point of reference for wine lovers. Named Corvino until May 20, 1871, it became Corvino San Quirico, taking the name of the patron saint of the parish church (Quirico was the son of Giulietta, who, along with him, was martyred in Greece in the 4th century AD). The toponym "Corvino" may reflect either a Latin or medieval personal name, Corvino. Scholars in the past interpreted it as a reference to M. Valerius Messala Corvino, who is believed to have had possessions in the area. Since 936, it was owned by the Monastery of San Salvatore in Pavia, having been donated by Emperor Otto. It later became part of the Casteggio fief, which was dismantled in 1470 and assigned to the Arcimboldi family. In 1504, it passed to the Mezzabarba family, who obtained the countship title in 1602. The territory of the municipality is nearly identical to that of the parish (with the exception of the Casa Chiodi hamlet). It is populated by various groups of houses stretching from the plain to the hilltops of Oltrepò Pavese. Source: Comune di Corvino San Quirico Photo: Edoardo Vaccaroli  

The municipality of Casei Gerola is located in the plains of the Oltrepò Pavese, on the border with the province of Alessandria, along the Curone stream, a few kilometers from its confluence with the Po River. In the surrounding area, the Parco Le Folaghe offers an ideal natural environment for hiking and outdoor activities. MONUMENTS AND PLACES OF INTEREST Insigne Collegiata San Giovanni Battista Church of San Sebastiano Sanctuary of Madonna delle Grazie di Sant'Agostino Church of San Guglielmo Castle Palazzotto del Carmagnola INSIGNE COLLEGIATA SAN GIOVANNI BATTISTA: A MASTERPIECE OF ARCHITECTURE AND GOTIC ART The Insigne Collegiata San Giovanni Battista, one of the main examples of Gothic Lombard architecture in the region, was built between the 14th and 15th centuries and, in 1573, received the title of Insigne Collegiata. The facade, simple and imposing, features a gabled structure in brick, enhanced by two lateral buttresses. The 15th-century terracotta portal adds an elegant touch to the entrance. However, it is inside the church where its true beauty is revealed, with a series of highly valuable frescoes adorning its walls. A particularly important element is the Cappella Bottigella, built in 1450 at the will of the Bottigella family and decorated between 1462 and 1468. This sacred space, the heart of the church, houses a cycle of frescoes attributed to the Master of Casei, an anonymous artist who captured sacred scenes such as the Annunciation, the Deposition, the Coronation of the Virgin, the Eternal Father, and saints Mark and Luke. Above the polychrome terracotta altar, which unfortunately retains only part of the original structure, there is a fine terracotta anchor, probably made by craftsmen from the Certosa di Pavia. Among the most valuable works is the polychrome terracotta altarpiece, which depicts the commissioner Giovanni Matteo Bottigella, adding immense historical and artistic value to the chapel. Another Renaissance treasure is the Triptych of San Martino, located above the door leading to the Bottigella Chapel. Traditionally attributed to Cesare da Sesto, the triptych represents one of the most significant Renaissance masterpieces of the Oltrepò Pavese, with three paintings that capture attention for their perfection and beauty. Finally, in the right nave, there is a large fresco of the Battle of Lepanto, dated to the end of the 16th century, which completes the artistic journey of this extraordinary place of worship, making the Insigne Collegiata San Giovanni Battista a true treasure chest of artistic and historical gems.

Bressana Bottarone (Barsàna Butaron in Oltrepò Pavese dialect) is an Italian municipality with 3,552 inhabitants in the province of Pavia, Lombardy. It is located in the plain of Oltrepò Pavese, on the right bank of the Po River, near the confluence with the Coppa stream.It borders to the north with Cava Manara and Bastida Pancarana, to the east with Rea, Verrua Po, Pinarolo Po, and Robecco Pavese, and to the south with Casatisma and Castelletto di Branduzzo.The municipality is made up of three residential areas: Bressana, Argine, and Bottarone. In 1937, the Town Hall was built, providing a scenic backdrop to the long square, which has recently been renovated, transforming it into a pedestrian zone and a lively gathering point for the entire community. Along the Po River embankment, there is the locality of Cascina Bella, a group of farmhouses that until the 1950s were the center of the agricultural economy of the village. Bressana Bottarone is a very active municipality in terms of cultural, social, and community initiatives. It boasts a Public Library with multi-purpose spaces for adults and a youth room, containing approximately 7,000 volumes. Source: Municipality of Bressana Bottarone

Cecima stands atop a plateau ridge, recognizable by its ancient church rising among the trees. The village has preserved its original medieval appearance, characterized by numerous architectural testimonies. The settlement is traversed by a maze of narrow alleys that intertwine, creating picturesque glimpses. The internal streets are paved with pebbles from the Staffora stream, the same material used for the exposed stone walls of many buildings. Of particular artistic interest are the bastions of the ancient walls, of which only a few ruins remain. Visible traces include the Porta Soprana, demolished in 1936, the now-filled moat, and the castle that once stood at the southwestern end of the village. In the square of the churchyard stands the Parish Church of Saints Martin and Lazarus, rebuilt near the previous 12th-century church, which collapsed due to minor landslides in the early 15th century. It was reconstructed in 1460 in a beautiful late Gothic Lombard style through the patronage of Cardinal Jacopo Ammannati Piccolomini, Bishop of Pavia. However, due to similar geological issues, structural damage appeared over time, leading the Superintendence to order its demolition for safety reasons. The façade, however, was entirely preserved and, thanks to careful restoration work, remains visible in all its splendor today. Inside the church, visitors can admire a precious 15th-century wooden polyptych. The church stands on a magnificent open space, acting as a natural balcony that, with a 200-meter drop, offers a breathtaking panoramic view of Mount Penice, Mount Boglelio, and the Staffora stream. Within the municipal territory lies part of the vast Guardamonte Castelliere, a pre-Roman settlement discovered in 1951 on the ridge between Val Curone and Val Staffora. This significant urban structure has yielded numerous archaeological finds, including artifacts and household items. Photo: Alessandro Vecchi - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0  

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A small, authentic village in the province of Pavia, dominated by a castle and with a passion for art and archery.

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