Santa Giuletta
Welcome to Santa Giuletta: a charming place where history meets nature
Santa Giuletta is a small Italian municipality located in the province of Pavia in Lombardy, with a population of approximately 1558 inhabitants. The town is situated in the Oltrepò Pavese, an area that extends from the Padan plain to the Liguarian Apennines, and is characterized by a particular geology that gives rise to unique natural phenomena.
An unique geographic location
Santa Giuletta is located in the heart of Oltrepò Pavese, along the Verzate stream. The area is characterized by the presence of numerous hills and peaks that offer stunning panoramic views, as well as several valleys, such as Redavalle and Santa Giuletta itself. The plain below also hosts springs of salty and warm water, while on the hills, sulphurous waters can be found. The highest point of the municipality is Mount Zavo, where sandstone was extracted to build some of the most important monuments in Pavia, such as San Michele Maggiore, San Pietro in ciel d'oro, and the Certosa di Pavia.
The history of Santa Giuletta
The area of Santa Giuletta has been inhabited since the Ligurian and Gallic era, but it reached its maximum importance during the Roman era. Over the centuries, the town came under the control of the monastery of San Pietro in ciel d'oro in Pavia, and then became a feud of Broni in the 13th century.
The toponym "Santa Giuletta" appears for the first time in a document from the 10th century, and the current town nucleus is the result of the merger between the historic "Castle" and "Villa". The church of Santa Giuletta, dedicated to the homonymous saint, dates back to the High Middle Ages, but probably originates from a previous church of the Saints Quirico and Giulitta, which arose in the eastern part of the parish of Casteggio. This road, the "Romera", crossed Santa Giuletta and was for a long time the pilgrimage route from southern France to Rome.
Things to do in Santa Giuletta
Santa Giuletta is a charming place where nature blends with history. The town offers many opportunities for excursions and walks among the hills, where you can admire suggestive views of the surrounding landscape. Mount Zavo, Mount Campone, and Val Sorda are just some of the destinations worth a visit.
In addition, the town offers numerous events and manifestations throughout the year. Among these, the "Festa in paese", which takes place every June and includes music, food, and entertainment for the whole family. In winter, instead, you can participate in the traditional Sant'Andrea Fair.
For those who love good food, Santa Giuletta offers many local specialties to taste, such as salami and cheese from the area, bruschetta with flavored oil, and typical desserts of the tradition.
How to get to Santa Giuletta
Santa Giuletta is easily accessible by both car and train. By car, you can take the A7 Milan-Genoa highway and exit at the Casei Gerola toll booth, then continue on the SS10 state road towards Santa Giuletta. By train, instead, you can reach Pavia with regional trains and then take a bus to Santa Giuletta.
In any case, once you arrive in Santa Giuletta, you will be fascinated by its landscapes and its millennial history that can be breathed in every corner of the town.
