Valle Lomellina
Welcome to Lomellina: history, territory, and culture
Welcome to Lomellina, a picturesque historical-geographic area located in the province of Pavia, western Lombardy. Bordered by the Sesia, Po, Ticino rivers, and the Basso Novarese, Lomellina is a land with a strong agricultural vocation that has given rise to numerous industrial activities over time.
Geography of Lomellina
Lomellina's territory is composed of 57 municipalities, the most important of which is Vigevano, from which the Vigevanasco and the Province of Lomellina originated. The region's name comes from the town of Lomello, a former Roman Municipium and an important gathering center for the area. The cultivation of Oryza sativa is widespread here, as evidenced by the Sala contrattazione merci in Mortara, the most important in Italy for the buying and selling of rice.
History of Lomellina
The formation of Lomellina as a historical-administrative entity was the result of a long and complex process that ended towards the end of the Middle Ages. Lomellina, within the Po Valley, had some unique characteristics. Here, more than elsewhere, the dense forest cover that covered the plain in prehistoric times was preserved for a long time. Even in the Renaissance, the area had extensive forests, highly renowned for hunting and used as a favorite place for Milanese Lords' leisure activities.
Roman Era
There are no traces of centuriation in Lomellina, except around Vigevano, a corner of the centuriated countryside of Novara that was a significant population center near today's municipal territory. The area, therefore, did not see a deduction of colonists, and the local populations underwent a slow process of Romanization during the 1st century BC. Lomellina was not ethnically compact in pre-Roman times, but was the place of border and perhaps partial overlap of the peoples living along the rivers that surrounded the region.
Tourism and Cultural Activities
In addition to rice production, Lomellina is renowned for producing footwear. Vigevano, the capital of Lomellina, is the main industrial center in northern Italy, and its shoes are famous worldwide. But Lomellina can offer much more than its typical products. Vigevano, for example, is a city rich in art and history, with its famous Sforza Castle and the majestic Piazza Ducale, considered one of the most beautiful in Europe.
Lomellina is rich in traditions and cultural events that take place throughout the year. In spring, for example, the Sagra del Riso is held in Mortara, an opportunity to discover the history and culture of the precious cereal. A horse and bullfight, known as the Palio di Vigevano, takes place every year in September in the Palio area, near Piazza Ducale.
Conclusion
Lomellina is a fascinating Italian region rich in cultural resources. Its unique history and varied landscape have left an indelible mark on the region, making it one of the most sought-after tourist destinations in northern Italy. Its production of rice and footwear has gone around the world, but there are many other treasures to discover in Lomellina, such as its historic architecture, art, and traditions.
