All
that you would like to know about the City of Vigevano... the useful
numbers, the restaurants, night life, theatres, cinemas, discos,
cafes in the main square " Piazza Ducale"
and events, exibithions and appointments in Vigevano
It
was realized between 1492 and 1494, according to the will of Ludovico
"il Moro" ("the Dark"), ancient governor of
the Dukedom of Milan.
A work
of art that remains, through the several modifications and restructures,
intact in the ages. The visitor, walking among the 84 columns, among
the most prestigious shops where ancient handicraftsmen used to
be, will live again the charm of the past.
The
world famous "sitting-room" of Italy will receive, with
the warmth of the Renaissance colours, the traveller who has never
been here before.
The
decorations
The
first decorations are supposed to be made in 1494, when the square
was finished. Then they were renewed during the seventeenth and
the eighteenth century. But the most important restoration (what
today we can admire) was finished in 1910-11 by two painters from
Vigevano: Luigi Bocca and Casimiro Ottone.
In the portraits contained in the medallions you can see the faces
of people belonging to Visconti and Sforza families and of famous
people of ancient Rome. The other frescos represent mythological
animals such as centaurs, griffons, mermaids and fauns and other
fantastic animals.
Luchino
Visconti, who was podestà in Vigevano from 1319 to 1363,
started an important modification of the medieval village and the
Castle, transforming the "castrum" into a residential
castle. But the most glorious moment in the history of the castle
was the regency of Ludovico il Moro.
The architectural complex of the Sforza Castle of Vigevano has developed
over a surface of more than 70,000 square metres. In addition, there
are 36,000 square metres of courtyard and as a whole it is considered
the biggest fortified complex in Europe.
From the 1492 the Tower called "by Bramante", with an
impressive view around the city for twenty kilometres, is the dominant
element in the shining green of the castle. The Maschio (the keep)
represents the most ancient and extensive part of the castle. The
three stables, which are connected to the Maschio and look out over
the big court of the castle, differ in date of construction and
in their features.
Through the opening situated on the left of the keep, one enters
the covered street: 164 metres long with a carriage way of 7 metres
wide. It connects the principle court to the Rocca Vecchia (old
fortress), built in 1347 by Luchino Visconti.
A few
hundred metres from the historical centre of Vigevano there is a
green area of extraordinary quality, through which the Ticino river
flows. The "Natural Park of the Ticino Valley", the biggest
river park in Europe, covers an area of more than 97,000 hectares
from Lake Maggiore to the Po, through the districts of Varese, Milan
and Pavia. In 2002 it was elected Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO due
to its natural and cultural resources.
But
Vigevano has something else to offer…it has been the first
capital of shoes production. This the reason why here you can find
the "Museum of the Shoe", where there are shoes owned
by Eleonora Duse, Benito Mussolini and Pope Pio The Eleventh and
a replica of a shoe worn by Charle-Magne.
Besides
in the centre of the town you can find the most fashionable shoes
and clothes brands such as Sergio Rossi, Prada, Gucci, Dolce &
Gabbana, Cavalli, Versace, Armani, Fendi, etc.
Would
you like to visit the the best factory and see how they
make their shoes ? contact us
Participate
to our tours and excursions!!!
For info and booking you may contact: Welcome
At Your Service Tel: 393 9517846 - Mobile: 0335 52 07 542 - Fax: 0381 345661
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