San Ponzo Semola
Welcome to San Ponzo Semola
Hello friends, today I will talk to you about the hamlet of San Ponzo Semola, located south of the inhabited center of the municipality of Ponte Nizza, in Lombardy.
History
San Ponzo was donated by the kings Hugh of Provence and Lothair II of Italy to the bishop of Pavia in 943, along with the nearby Cecima. It was the seat of an important parish of the diocese of Tortona, on which many neighboring villages depended. With Cecima in 1164, it passed under the Pavese dominion, constituting a sort of "exclave" in the midst of Malaspina's lands. However, San Ponzo always remained independent and remained under the lordship of the bishop of Pavia. In the sixteenth century, it was sub-infeudated to the Sforza of the Santa Fiora branch, feudal lords of Varzi. Within the Principality of Pavia, it constituted a separate jurisdiction with Cecima. In 1863 it took the name of San Ponzo Semola. This hamlet was annexed to the municipality of Ponte Nizza in 1928 and the part of the town located on the right of the Staffora river is currently the municipal headquarters.
Places of interest
The Grotta di San Ponzo is definitely the most interesting place in this hamlet. It is located in via Fiume and represents one of the most fascinating karst phenomena of the Ligurian Apennines. Inside the cave, you can admire beautiful stalactites and stalagmites!
Infrastructure and transportation
The San Ponzo Semola Train Station stood along the Voghera-Varzi railway and was active between 1931 and 1966. This station represented an important reference point for travelers who had to reach the hamlet.
Notes
San Ponzo Semola was an important religious and historical center over the centuries, always maintaining its independence. Today, although it is a small hamlet of the municipality of Ponte Nizza, it still represents a precious little gem!
Other projects
San Ponzo Semola is certainly a hamlet worth visiting. If you pass by, be sure to visit the Grotta di San Ponzo!
