Piazza Ducale is the main square of Vigevano, located in the historical center of the city. Piazza Ducale is one of the first Renaissance-style squares in Italy and is among the best examples of Lombard architecture of the 15th century. SHORT HISTORY OF PIAZZA DUCALE The area on which the square currently stands was characterized by a wide road surrounded by buildings with porticos, the result of the 14th-century expansion of the village. The Sforzesco Castle, located in an elevated position in the immediate vicinity, was accessed via a ramp or a stairway placed in correspondence with the current Bramante Tower (Torre del Bramante). Piazza Ducale was built between 1492 and 1494 at the behest of Ludovico Maria Sforza, also known as Ludovico il Moro (the Moor), as an antechamber of the castle. Under the direction of the ducal architect Ambrogio da Corte, some of the buildings located in the area were demolished and some of them had their facades aligned. The southern side of Piazza Ducale was interrupted by a wide ramp, in correspondence with the tower, connecting the square to the castle. The western side of the square was divided into two parts joined by a triumphal Read more [...]
All Places in Vigevano
Cathedral of Sant’Ambrogio
The Cathedral of Sant’Ambrogio, dedicated to Saint Ambrose, is the Cathedral of Vigevano, located in the wonderful Piazza Ducale. Due to its beauty, the concave facade of the Cathedral of Vigevano is considered one of the most refined examples of Baroque architecture not only in Lombardy, but throughout Italy. SHORT HISTORY OF THE CATHEDRAL OF SANT’AMBROGIO According to a document of 963, a primitive church dedicated to Sant’Ambrogio already existed in Vigevano at that time. The ancient church was rebuilt in the second half of the 14th century. The diocese of Vigevano was created by Pope Clement VII on March 16, 1530, at the request of Francesco II Sforza, Duke of Milan. In 1532, the construction of the new cathedral began at the behest of the same Francesco II Sforza, based on a project by the architect Antonio da Lonate. Of the previous church, the apse and some fragments of the decorative arches in Gothic-Lombard style were preserved. After Francesco II Sforza died in 1535, the works continued to be financed by the faithful, the Municipality and by various bishops of the city. The construction reached the roof level in 1553. Under the guidance of bishop Giorgio Odescalchi, the Read more [...]
I Mulini B&B
I Mulini B&B is a bed and breakfast in Vigevano, located about 250 meters away from Castello Sforzesco and about 500 meters away from Piazza Ducale. I Mulini B&B offers self-catering apartments with free WiFi access. The air-conditioned studio comes with a flat-screen TV and a bathroom equipped with free toiletries and a hairdryer. The kitchenette has a microwave. HOW TO GET TO I MULINI B&B I Mulini B&B is located about 750 meters away from the Vigevano railway station, in Via dei Mulini, 11. To easily find the B&B, use the map below.
Locanda San Bernardo
Locanda San Bernardo is a guesthouse in Vigevano, located in the historical center of the town, about 350 meters away from Piazza Ducale and the Sforzesco Castle. With antique furnishings, the rooms include a flat-screen TV and air conditioning. Each private bathroom comes with a hairdryer, free toiletries, and a bathtub or shower. The guesthouse offers free WiFi throughout the property and free private parking An Italian-style breakfast is available daily and includes homemade cakes, coffee and milk, jams, toasts, yoghurt and cereals. HOW TO GET TO LOCANDA SAN BERNARDO Locanda San Bernardo is located about 1.1 kilometers away from the Vigevano railway station, in Corso Novara, 2. To easily find the guesthouse, use the map below.
Hotel del Parco
Hotel del Parco is a 4-Star hotel in Vigevano, located in a quiet area, in the northeastern part of the town. The hotel’s rooms are spacious and soundproofed. They all come with satellite TV, minibar, air conditioning and free wired internet connection. Free Wi-Fi connection is provided in all public areas. The wellness facilities include a fitness area and the Duca’s Club, which offers a Turkish bath, a Finnish sauna, a hot tub, massages and beauty treatments. Trattoria Podazzera restaurant serves traditional cuisine for lunch and dinner. Outdoor dining is possible on the old porch of the restaurant. HOW TO GET TO HOTEL DEL PARCO Hotel del Parco is located about 2.9 kilometers away from the Vigevano railway station, in Corso Milano, 95. To easily find the hotel, use the map below.
Castello Sforzesco
Buy tickets & tours:VivaTicket Castello Sforzesco is a castle in Vigevano, located in an elevated position in the historical center of the town, near Piazza Ducale and the Cathedral of Sant’Ambrogio. The castle covers an area of about 70,000 square meters, being one of the largest fortified complexes in Europe. Castello Sforzesco houses Pinacoteca Casimiro Ottone, the National Archaeological Museum of Lomellina (Museo Archeologico Nazionale della Lomellina) and the Pietro Bertolini International Footwear Museum (Museo Internazionale della Calzatura Pietro Bertolini). SHORT HISTORY OF CASTELLO SFORZESCO The primitive castle of Vigevano, built in the 7th century, consisted of a small wooden structure. Before the 10th century, the structure was replaced by a building with brick walls and was separated from the town by a moat. Luchino Visconti, podestà (chief magistrate) of Vigevano between 1319 and 1337, decided to transform the village into a defensive stronghold. With this in mind, in 1341, he built a defensive fortress, located at a certain distance from the ancient castle, on the eastern limit of the village. At the same time, the work of transforming the old castle into a ducal residence began. The new structure had a quadrangular plan formed by crenellated walls, with Read more [...]
Church of San Pietro Martire
The Church of San Pietro Martire is a church in Vigevano, located near the southern wall of Castello Sforzesco, in the historical center of the town. The church is also dedicated to San Cristoforo (Saint Christopher). SHORT HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SAN PIETRO MARTIRE At the beginning of the 13th century, on the site of the current Church of San Pietro Martire, there was a small chapel dedicated to San Domenico (Saint Dominic). Later, the chapel was replaced by a larger structure, completed around 1363. The current church, dedicated to Saint Peter the Martyr, was built starting with 1445 and consecrated in 1480. The annexed convent of the Dominican friars and the bell tower, with its imposing octagonal structure leaning against the right side of the apse, date back to the same period. In 1840, the interior of the church was modified in Neo-Gothic style. ARCHITECTURE OF THE CHURCH OF SAN PIETRO MARTIRE The facade of the church, in pure Lombard Gothic style, is divided into three parts corresponding to the naves, and surmounted in the central part by three pinnacles. The central part of the facade is divided by four buttresses and has a sloping roof Read more [...]
