Zeme
Welcome to Zeme!
Hello friends! Today, I want to talk to you about a small town in the province of Pavia called Zeme. It's not easy to find information about its history, but it's interesting to discover that the Romans of Gaius Marius set up camps in this area while waiting to face and defeat the Cimbri. In addition, the feudalism of the High Middle Ages was divided between the bishop of Pavia and that of Vercelli. If you want to learn more about the history of Zeme, keep reading!
The History of Zeme
In the Visconti era, Zeme passed to Antonio Porro, whose family was confiscated in 1412 and given to Filippino, Facino Cane's son. In the fifteenth century, it was held by the Pergola family, and in 1532, Duke Francesco Sforza donated it to the diocese of Vigevano as a dowry for the upcoming episcopal seat. From this moment on, Zeme ceased to be a lordship, and the Diocese of Vigevano took on the title of Count of Zeme, maintaining it even after the confiscation of church property that occurred during the Napoleonic era. The feudal rule of the Vigevano Chapter ceased only with the abolition of feudalism.
During the seventeenth century, the village suffered from looting and destruction by Spanish, French, and Savoyard troops and was again damaged during the withdrawal of the troops of Tommaso Francesco of Savoy, who was recovering from the siege of Pavia in 1655.
In 1707, Zeme, along with the Lomellina, passed under Casa Savoia's dominion. In 1818, the suppressed municipalities of Marza and Sant'Alessandro, consisting of the homonymous farms, were finally united with Zeme.
Sant'Alessandro
Sant'Alessandro is identified as the ancient Carosio, the seat of an ancient parish and known since the Middle Ages, but was destroyed during the raids of the Hungarians in the tenth century. It definitively declined in the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries due to wars between Pavia and Milan. In 1460, it had only six houses and the church of Sant'Alessandro. In those years, it was separated from its feudalism and assigned to Cicco Simonetta and, at his death, devoted to Antonio Rasini of Ferrara in 1479.
What to See in Zeme
Zeme is a small municipality with only 993 inhabitants, but it offers many opportunities for leisure and relaxation. The historic center, with its picturesque alleys and the church of Santa Maria delle Grazie, is undoubtedly a place to visit. In addition, the municipality often organizes cultural events and traditional festivals, such as the San Luca Fair.
Lomellina Cuisine
If you want to taste the culinary specialties of Lomellina, Zeme is the right place to do it! Typical products include the Manteca reserve (butter), tongue in green sauce, tripe, and boiled beef with pearà (a sauce made with stale bread, butter, and coriander seeds). In addition, the white cheese of Vigevano is a soft cheese that perfectly matches honey and jams.
Conclusions
Although Zeme is not a very large municipality, it offers many opportunities for leisure and relaxation. Its ancient history and traditional cuisine make the place unique and charming. If you want to visit a place off the beaten path and immerse yourself in Lomellina life, you can't miss Zeme!
