Val di Nizza
Visiting Val di Nizza: a dive into the history of the territory
Val di Nizza is a town in the province of Pavia, located in the upper hills of Oltrepò Pavese, surrounded by unspoiled nature and dotted with places of great historical interest.
History
The history of the Val di Nizza territory is characterized by the ancient "Corte di Sant'Albano", the monastic parish of San Paolo di Nizza of the Abbey of San Colombano and the ancient castle of Oramala, one of the most important fortresses of the Malaspina family. In 1014, with the creation of the Diocese of Piacenza-Bobbio, the territory became the fiefdom of the bishop of Bobbio, later passing into the hands of the Malaspina family. In the 17th century, the entire current municipality, along with other adjacent lands, was included in the Marchesato di Godiasco, managed in a consortial system by the Malaspina family. In 1743, with the Treaty of Worms, the town passed to the Kingdom of Sardinia and became part of the Province of Bobbio. In 1859, with the creation of the new Province of Pavia, Val di Nizza became part of it.
Symbols
The coat of arms and the banner of Val di Nizza were granted by the President of the Republic decree on October 28, 1982. The banner is a white cloth.
Society
In recent decades, Val di Nizza has experienced a decrease in population, from 1020 inhabitants in 1921 to 575 in 2020.
Monuments and places of interest
Val di Nizza is rich in monuments and places of interest that tell its millenary history.
Religious architecture
The church of San Paolo Apostolo is the church of the Val di Nizza territory and has been a possession of the monastery of Bobbio since 794. The church is in Romanesque style and houses beautiful works of art.
Castle of Oramala
The Castle of Oramala is an ancient Malaspina castle from the 15th century. It was restored in the '90s and is visitable by appointment.
Trails and nature
Val di Nizza is crossed by the Nizza stream and its tributaries and offers trails for excursions immersed in nature.
Events
The town of Val di Nizza is famous for the Festa della Trebbiatura, which takes place every year in June. During the festival, you can admire ancient crafts and all the processes related to threshing.
Cuisine
Val di Nizza cuisine is strongly linked to the products of the territory and to the peasant tradition. Among the typical dishes, we find the salame di Varzi, the apple pie and the polenta with rabbit.
Conclusions
In conclusion, Val di Nizza is a fascinating place, rich in history and places of interest, where it is possible to immerse oneself in the unspoiled nature of Oltrepò Pavese and taste dishes of the peasant tradition. The Festa della Trebbiatura is an unmissable event to get to know the history and culture of the territory.
