Torre Pallavicina
Welcome to Torre Pallavicina
Hello everyone! Today I'm going to talk to you about Torre Pallavicina, a municipality with only 1097 inhabitants in the beautiful Lombardy region. The village is located in the eastern plain of Bergamo, on the border with the provinces of Brescia and Cremona, and is just 38 kilometers southeast of Bergamo.
The history of Torre Pallavicina
The history of Torre Pallavicina dates back to Roman times, when this area was affected by settlements that presumably belonged to the "vicus Florianus". After the arrival of the Franks, the Holy Roman Empire was established, whose Regents ruled the destiny of the village throughout the Middle Ages.
In 1070, the lordship of the "Barbò" arrived in Torre Pallavicina, and the village experienced a period of great notoriety. During this period, in fact, numerous fortified buildings were erected to defend against factional struggles between the Guelfs and Ghibellines. It was during this period that Tristano Sforza, son of Francesco Sforza, erected a tower on the territories of the lordship to protect the border from Cremona and Brescia. Shortly thereafter, a palace was also built, with a dual function: defensive and residential. Galeazzo I Pallavicino married Elisabetta Sforza, a natural daughter of Tristano Sforza, and acquired possession of the village, which became known as "Torre Pallavicina".
During the period of the Republic of Venice and the Duchy of Milan, Torre Pallavicina became a free zone called "Calciana", where taxes were not paid and there was its own administration. Despite the strict laws prohibiting smuggling, this was one of the main sources of livelihood for the inhabitants.
Over time, the village underwent various changes of dominion until its annexation to the department of Bergamo, in the period of the Cisalpine Republic, which revoked all the privileges of the village. In the 20th century, the agricultural sector of the village experienced a crisis which, not compensated by industrial evolution, relegated its economy to a marginal role.
What to see in Torre Pallavicina
Despite being a small village, Torre Pallavicina has several attractions that are worth a visit. The Pallavicino tower and palace are two very suggestive and well-preserved historical buildings. The old village is characterized by narrow and steep alleys that lead to small squares behind the houses.
The irrigation canal built by Galeazzo I Pallavicino, which runs through the village, is another point of interest. In the past, it was used to irrigate the fields, but today it has become a perfect place for walks and picnics.
The village today
Today, most of the inhabitants of Torre Pallavicina are employed in the service and artisan sectors. Agriculture, which was once the main source of livelihood, is now reduced to a few crops.
Despite this, the village presents itself as a quiet and welcoming place, where life flows at the pace of the countryside. The people are friendly and always ready to welcome visitors.
Conclusions
In summary, Torre Pallavicina is a small village in Lombardy with a very interesting history and several points of interest that are worth a visit. Don't be discouraged by the size of the village because you will be surprised by the beauties that await you here. Come and visit us and we will welcome you with open arms!
