Cergnago
Welcome to Cergnago!
Cergnago is a beautiful town located in the center of Lomellina, in the province of Pavia. With a population of 680 inhabitants, Cergnago is a quiet and welcoming place where you can spend moments of peace and serenity. In this article, we will talk about the history of the town, its monuments, and places of interest. We will also provide some information on transportation and the demographic evolution of the municipality.
The history of Cergnago
The name of Cergnago first appears in the tenth century as "Cirniaco". Belonging to the County of Lomello, in the twelfth century it was annexed to the territory of Pavia with a diploma from Frederick Barbarossa. In 1250, it is mentioned as "Cergnagum" in the list of Pavia's lands and subsequently became part of the Mortara team. In the eighteenth century, Cergnago came under the Lomellini di Carmagnola, and then fell under the control of the House of Savoy in 1743.
On the other hand, the Abbey of Erbamara was an ancient monastery founded in 1170 by Uberto de' Olevano, which belonged to the Congregation of Vallombrosa. The abbey constituted a lordship and an autonomous municipality that survived the decline of the monastery and was merged with Cergnago in the early nineteenth century. The municipality of Cergnago has not yet adopted a coat of arms or a standard.
The monuments of Cergnago
In the center of the town is the Palazzo Plezza, an imposing building located on a small hill. The original nucleus of the palace dates back to what is still called the "castle". Near the palace is the Church of Sant'Elena, built around the mid-seventeenth century after the previous Romanesque church was burned down by French troops in 1658. The Church of Sant'Elena is in the Baroque style and inside it preserves the main altar and six chapels that were once under the patronage of the local nobility.
On the main street is the Church of SS. Francesco and Giovanni Battista, dating back to the fourteenth century. On the state road to Mortara is the Church of the Madonna of Santo Stefano, very old and once under the patronage of the Olevano family. Inside the Church of the Madonna of Santo Stefano, there are two side altars dedicated to St. Rocco and St. Anne and a main altar with a painting of the "Madonna and Child".
The society of Cergnago
The demographic evolution of Cergnago has seen the growth of the population from 1861 until 1921, when it reached its historical peak with 1,135 inhabitants. After a brief period of stability, there has been a constant decrease up to the present day. Nevertheless, Cergnago is a place where neighborhood relationships are still very strong among its citizens.
Infrastructure and transportation
Cergnago does not have its own railway station, but from 1884 to 1933 it was served by the Mortara-Ottobiano-Pieve del Cairo tramway. Today, the municipality is nonetheless well connected thanks to the bus service, which connects the town to neighboring locations.
Conclusions
Cergnago is a jewel of Lomellina. With its millenary history, its Baroque monuments, and its important traditions, the town represents a tourist attraction capable of satisfying even the most demanding travelers. Come and visit Cergnago, you will be welcomed by a hospitable people and by a unique cultural heritage.
