- Religious Tourism
- Art & Culture
Duomo di Vigevano
It delimits the eastern side of the Piazza Ducale, with its grandiose Baroque façade
The construction of the Cathedral of Saint Ambrose – or the Duomo di Vigevano – began in 1532 after it was commissioned by the Sforza Family.
However, it is very probable that the cathedral was built on an existing religious structure dating back to before 1000.
In reality, the work was only completed towards the end of the 1600s, with the construction of a completely unique concave façade which represents a magnificent example of Baroque style.
The Bramante Tower stands above the Duomo, overlooking the splendid Piazza Ducale.
The cathedral holds a number of notable works of art. Paintings by Magni and Gatti date back to the 1500s, while the main altar was designed and built by Alessandro Sanquirico and the large pipe organ, which dominates the entire structure, is the work of the Serassi family from Bergamo.
A short distance from the centre, on high ground overlooking the Ticino valley, stands the Castello Sforzesco, which was commissioned by Ludovico Sforza in 1486. Built as a hunting residence and summer retreat, is was visited by Leonardo da Vinci, who designed a system of irrigation channels and water mills for the complex.
