Bosnasco

Welcome to Bosnasco, a small municipality in the Oltrepò Pavese

Hello, everyone! Today we will talk about Bosnasco, a municipality in the province of Pavia in Lombardy, located in the hills of the Oltrepò Pavese, on the border with the province of Piacenza. With its 636 inhabitants, including the main inhabited nucleus of Cardazzo with about 370 inhabitants, Bosnasco is a quiet and welcoming municipality, perfect for those looking for a break from urban chaos. But let's discover more about this small town.

History: territorial disputes and feudal lords

The history of Bosnasco dates back to the 12th century, when the territory was contested between Piacenza and Pavia. Finally, thanks to the decision of the arbitration, the municipality was assigned to Pavia, which had just obtained dominion over the Oltrepò Pavese. Subsequently, Bosnasco fell under the supremacy of the Beccaria family and, together with the fraction of Cardazzo, became part of the Arena Po fiefdom, belonging to the Beccaria family of Arena Po. However, at the beginning of the 15th century, due to the contrast with the Visconti family, the main center of the fiefdom was confiscated. Despite this, Bosnasco remained under the control of the Beccaria family of Arena Po until their extinction in 1695. At that point, Bosnasco passed down to the Busca family, subsequently to the Bellisomi family, and finally to the Corsi di Nizza family just before the end of feudalism in 1797.

Furthermore, Bosnasco was the main center of a small community called Sparano, known since the 9th century when the area belonged to the Bobbio monastery. The court of Sparano was a part of the great domusculta of Auliano di Monte Acuto, managed by eight Massaio (local administrators) of the monastery and dedicated to producing grain, vineyards, fine wines, and grazing for livestock. With the suppression of the municipality, which occurred in 1818, Bosnasco and Sparano were united.

Bosnasco, the peaceful beauty of Oltrepò Pavese.

Symbols: the coat of arms and flag of Bosnasco

The coat of arms and flag of Bosnasco were granted by decree of the President of the Republic on December 4th, 1954. The flag is a banner divided into red and yellow, the colors of the city.

Society: the population of Bosnasco

According to ISTAT data from 2021, Bosnasco has about 636 inhabitants, a figure that makes the municipality a perfect destination for those seeking tranquility and a slow pace of life. The population has been decreasing steadily compared to previous years, but the local community is very active and committed to keeping the social and cultural life of the municipality alive.

Demographic evolution: the decrease in population

The population of Bosnasco has decreased steadily in recent years. In 2001, the municipality had 740 inhabitants, but in 2021 the figure has dropped to 636. However, the local community is active, and on the municipality's Facebook page, you can find photos of the various events organized in the fractions of Bosnasco.

Administration: the Oltrepò Pavese Mountain Community

Bosnasco was part of the Oltrepò Pavese Mountain Community until 2009, when it was abolished. The Mountain Community was an association created to promote tourism and sustainable agriculture on the hills of the Oltrepò Pavese. In addition to Bosnasco, other municipalities such as Varzi, Santa Maria della Versa, and Zavattarello were part of the Mountain Community.

Conclusion

Here is a brief overview of Bosnasco, a small municipality in the Oltrepò Pavese that will conquer you with its rustic charm and natural beauty. Have you ever visited this municipality? Let us know in the comments!

Matteo Ferrari
Updated Wednesday, Jul 27, 2022