バルツィの洞窟・トップ10

Zavattarello Castle, also known as Dal Verme Castle, is a fortress overlooking the town of Zavattarello in the province of Pavia.

An interesting route in the upper Curone Valley is the one that leads to the walled remains of the Brusamonica Castle, a small town about two kilometers from Caldirola. The castle, built on the crest of the mountains above Caldirola, dates back to the feudal era; although it has lost its ancient splendor over time, it still retains a certain charm, if only for its uncertain and mysterious origin. A legend tells that before the castle there was a convent in the same place, probably founded by the monastery of San Pietro in Ciel d'Oro of Pavia and destroyed during a night of battle and looting (perhaps by Saracen troops) in the 9th century. This, like any good legend, is not confirmed by historical documents, even if even today the inhabitants of Caldirola, referring to the town of Brusamonica, are accustomed to using the term "convent". Contradictions aside, this castle, with a slope that extended up to Val Borbera and now collapsed, represents an important and concrete historical monument that can today become a destination for pleasant walks.

With the eMTB, it is difficult to reach the site of the remains of the Castle. The path is narrow, steep and in some places there are rocks that block pedaling. Better to go up from Mount Gropà with the eMTB.

Zavattarello Castle

The Montesegale Castle has a very ancient history, dates back to the early Middle Ages and dominates the ancient village a few kilometers from Pavia. Located on a hill, its majestic structure is clearly visible in the distance by anyone crossing the Oltrepò Pavese. A fortification with a control function, given its strategic position.

Situated on a rocky promontory, the Oramala Castle dominates and overlooks the Staffora valley, one of the most evocative places in the upper Oltrepò.

It is mentioned in ancient papers such as Oramola, curte de Oremale, Rocha de Oremala or curtis and rocae de Oramala and, of the castle, reference is made in the Breviarium of the possessions of the abbey of Bobbio in the century. X. [1] With the gradual fiefdom of the obertenga family starting from 1029, first as level holders of the monastery and then with a lease and freeing contract, half of the court and castle remained with the monastery with the rights and tithes due. It was inherited in the 12th century by the obertengo branch of the Malaspina family. After a passage, in 1157, in the hands of the marquises D'Este and in 1161 of the bishop of Tortona, it returns, in 1164, thanks to Federico Barbarossa to Obizzo I. Towards the end of the twelfth century, with the fortunes of the Malaspina, it sees its moment of greatest splendor, it becomes a center of cultural diffusion hosting Provençal troubadours. In 1474 the fortress was fortified by Manfredi Malaspina, to adapt it to the new defensive needs due to the entry into use of artillery. Out of the flow of history, the fortress remained with the Malaspina family until the end of the 18th century, when the marquises of Oramala, moving downstream, decreed its decline; abandoned, it began to fall into disrepair. In 1985 the Panigazzi brothers bought the castle and began the renovation and restoration of the collapsed parts. In 2005 the Museum of peasant art and iron tools was opened to the public. From 2008 to 2018 the castle was the seat of the Spinofiorito Social Promotion Association and is surrounded by the Literary Park "Dante and the Troubadours in the lands of the Malaspina".

Interesting site. The castle was hosted by Dante Alighieri and Federico Barbarossa.