Garlasco

Welcome to Garlasco, the "Las Vegas of Lomellina"

Hi everyone! Today we take you to discover Garlasco, an Italian municipality located in the province of Pavia in Lombardy. With its 9,445 inhabitants, Garlasco is one of the largest cities in Lomellina. But, do you know what nickname the inhabitants of Garlasco have given to their town? "Las Vegas of Lomellina" or "Las Vegas of Lombardy". Why? Well, you just need to visit the city to find out!

Physical geography of Garlasco

Garlasco is located in central-eastern Lomellina, not far from the edge of the terrace of the alluvial valley of the Ticino river. The terrain is flat and crossed by artificial irrigation canals that allow the cultivation of rice and other cereals and fodder. Unfortunately, in winter, fog is often present, while in summer the area is subject to mugginess with overlying haze.

Garlasco: the Las Vegas of Lomellina

History of Garlasco

Garlasco has a millennial history, probably of pre-Roman origin. Since the 10th century, Garlasco has been mentioned in historical documents. In 981, Emperor Otto II of Saxony donated Garlasco to the Basilica of the Most Holy Savior of Pavia. In the 12th century, Garlasco passed under the dominion of Pavia and was the seat of the podesteria. It was only in 1436 that the palatine count Guarnerio Castiglioni was invested in Garlasco by Filippo Maria Visconti and the fiefdom remained with his descendants, divided into several lines. Only Alessandro Castiglioni in 1761 reunited power in his hands and his nephew Alfonso Gaetano in 1774 was given the title of Count of Garlasco. But feudalism was abolished in 1797.

Symbols of Garlasco

The coat of arms of Garlasco, recognized by decree of the head of government on April 19, 1933, is a rampant golden lion on a red and white background. The flag, granted by DPR on October 29, 1986, is a troncated white and red drape.

What to visit in Garlasco

If you visit Garlasco, you can't miss the Sanctuary of the Madonna della Bozzola, a destination for religious pilgrimages. The parish church of Santa Maria Assunta is another must-see. Located in the central square of the Republic, it houses masterpieces of sacred art and an 18th century pipe organ. But, as we said at the beginning, Garlasco is known above all for its rich offer of recreational activities. You can spend an evening at the cinema or theater, or have fun in one of the many night clubs, bars or restaurants. And if you need a little relaxation, you can go to the public park or to the gardens of Villa Castiglioni.

Conclusions

We hope that our tour of Garlasco has made you want to visit this magnificent Lombard city. With its millennial history, its beautiful monuments, and endless recreational activities, Garlasco is a destination not to be missed for anyone who wants to discover the best of Lomellina. Come and discover the "Las Vegas of Lombardy"!

Matteo Ferrari
Updated Friday, Feb 4, 2022