Broni
Discovering Broni, a town in Lombardy
Hello everyone! Today I want to talk to you about Broni, a town located in the Province of Pavia, Lombardy. With its 9605 inhabitants, Broni is a very welcoming and charming place, nestled in the hills of the Oltrepò Pavese. It is located on the State Road 10 Padana Inferiore, one of the main communication routes that cross this part of the region.
The history of Broni
Broni has a very ancient history, which dates back to the Roman era. In the past, in fact, the site of today's Broni was probably the Roman locality of Comillomagus or Cameliomagus, inhabited by the Celtic-Ligurian tribe of the Anamari. In the early Middle Ages, the village of Broni began to develop and become a place of some importance. Under the imperial jurisdiction of Frederick Barbarossa, it was the seat of a podesteria or team, which extended to many of the surrounding towns. Over the centuries, Broni experienced moments of great splendor, but also of serious difficulties, such as the destruction carried out by the League of Guelf Cities in 1216 and by Giovanni Acuto in 1272.
A prominent figure in the history of Broni is Contardo d'Este, a prince on his way to Santiago de Compostela, who arrived in Broni in 1249. Falling seriously ill, he died in Broni, where he is still buried, becoming the patron saint of the city.
The feud of Broni
Over the centuries, Broni became an important center of Pavia power and was the seat of a lordship. In 1290 it fell under the direct lordship of the Beccaria family, which then had predominance in the city. However, the history of the feud of Broni is rather complex, because the territory was often divided among different branches of the Beccaria family. In 1406, thanks to the intrigues of the Beccarias, the Bronese feud was increased by the confiscation of the large fiefs of the Sannazzaros, lords of the Scuropasso valley. This led to the incorporation of places like Cigognola and Pietra de 'Giorgi.
Tourist attractions
Today, Broni is a very interesting place to visit. Among its tourist attractions, I recommend not to miss the Church of Santo Stefano, which dates back to the 10th century and is located in Piazza Martiri della Libertà. Inside, you can admire splendid works of art, including a wooden crucifix from the 17th century and an 18th-century pipe organ.
Another destination not to be missed is the castle of Broni, which stands on the hill of San Pietro and was built in the 13th century to defend the feud from enemies. Today, the castle is open to the public and offers a spectacular view of the surrounding countryside.
Finally, I recommend taking a walk along the Staffora river, which crosses the territory of Broni and offers enchanting landscapes.
What to eat in Broni
Obviously, we cannot talk about Broni without mentioning its cuisine, which boasts some truly delicious specialties. Among the typical dishes, I recommend trying the potato gnocchi, the piccapietre (a kind of polenta with pork), the cotechino with lentils, and the rice cake.
Conclusions
In summary, Broni is a very characteristic town in the Province of Pavia, which offers many tourist attractions and gastronomic delights. If you are looking for a quiet and charming place to spend a few days, Broni could be the ideal destination for you!
