Stradella - Stradella

Disambiguation - For toponyms of identical name, see Stradella (disambiguation).

Stradella is a city in the province of Pavia.

To know

Geographical notes

It is a municipality located in Oltrepò Pavese, at the end of the Val Versa. The city rises between the hill and the plain: at this point the Apennines touch the extreme northern limit and come very close to the Po, so that the Po valley south of the river narrows into a corridor known as the "narrow of Stradella". Stradella is a very pretty and lively town, which can be visited in all seasons of the year: taking advantage of the position, it is possible to enjoy an extraordinary view of the hills, with their beautiful colors, during autumn.

When to go

In summer, the temperature can reach high peaks but, in Stradella, it is possible to take advantage of the large municipal swimming pool, to cool off with a nice swim.

In spring and winter it is possible to participate in one of the many seasonal initiatives.

Background

Stradella, from ancient Latin "wriggle away", is a town rich in history and culture. Its center, of probable Roman origins, is located on the route of the Via Postumia. It also seems that the area, perhaps due to strategic position and fertility of the land, was previously inhabited by tribes of Liguri and the Celts Before 1000 appears the name of the Rocca di Montalino which, still today, dominates the town.

In an isolated position on top of the hill, there is the Rocca di Montalino (mentioned in a document by Barbarossa in the 11th century) which is currently used as private residences. Then donated to the Bishop of Pavia, who became the feudal lord of Montalino and Stradella, the fortress saw the rise of the beautiful basilica of S. Marcello in Montalino at the end of the 1100s, an important Romanesque monument.

In 1200, Stradella was the scene of clashes between the Piancentini and Pavesi: the village was sacked and burned. Following these events, in 1300, the Bishop Guido of Langosco built large brick walls one mile long, within which, subsequently, the Visconti built the lower fortress.

Stradella is connected to the history of Lombardy: after the Visconti and Sforza families, it underwent French, Spanish and Austrian domination. In 1800 it became a possession of the Savoy family who, after the definitive defeat of Napoleon, resumed administering the village.

The lower fortress, purchased by the Municipality, was demolished to open the market square (the current Piazza Vittorio Veneto), and with it the trade in agricultural products - including excellent wine - and the fabrics spun and dyed in the village.

How to orient yourself

Arriving at the exit of the A21 motorway at the Broni-Stradella tollbooth, the driver must keep left and through the link road he will reach a roundabout (in correspondence with the commercial area with shops such as Euronics, Tigotà, Roadhouse) to which he will have to choose to turn to the right, taking the ss10. By following this route it will be possible for the motorist to reach points of interest such as the railway station and the hospital with its emergency room. It will be possible to turn towards the city center, where it is possible to admire the bell tower now chosen as a symbol of the city.

On the square, spared from armed revolutions, the imposing symbol of Stradella still stands, the Civic Tower. Not far from the crenellated tower, you can also admire the beautiful seat of the town hall, the seventeenth-century Palazzo Isimbardi and the Parish Church, from the same period, dedicated to Saints Nabore and Felice.

How to get

By car

• A7 motorway Milan-Genoa with the toll booth of Casei Gerola.
• A21 motorway Turin-Piacenza-Brescia with the toll booths of Voghera, Casteggio-Casatisma, Broni-Stradella.
• ex state road 10 Padana Inferiore
• former state road 35 dei Giovi
• ex state road 412 of Val Tidone
• ex State Road 461 of the Penice Pass
• former state road 617 Bronese

On the train

• Railroad Alexandria-Piacenza, railway stations of Voghera, Casteggio, Santa Giuletta, Broni, Stradella and Arena Po.
• Railroad Milan-Pavia-Voghera, railway stations of Bressana Bottarone, Lungavilla and Voghera.

How to get around

What see

• The Accordion Museum of Stradella. Mariano Dallapè of Trentino origins who had to know the Austrian accordeon patented by Demien, starting from the diatonic accordion that produces different sounds both by pushing and pulling the bellows while the accordion produces only one, always the same, created a of the first accordions. From the workers of Mariano Dallape 'other accordion factories sprung up; the best known are Fias, Lucchini and Maga. The museum houses ancient accordions and the tools to make them. 
• Casteggio Archaeological Museum. With finds dating back to pre-Roman and Roman times. 
• Ferruccio Lombardi Civic Naturalistic Museum. Born as the Po Museum in Stradella, it collects fossil finds from different geological eras collected after the floods of the Po. 
• Peasant Museum in Casteggio. With a collection of agricultural tools of the past and work tools used by farmers. 
• Civic museum of dolls and toys "Quirino Cristiani". 

Events and parties

• Vinuva, Trieste square (via trento or viale Allea), ☎ 39 0385 45663, fax: 39 0385 245663. free entry. First weekend of September Fri-Sun 10: 00-24: 00. Local fair event with various stands distributed in Piazza Trieste with an exhibition of local products, wines, cured meats, desserts. Preparation of a covered location for lunch and dinner 

What to do

Shopping

• Civardi bakery pastry shop (Civardi pastry shop), Viai Di Vittorio, 30 (state road to S. Maria della Versa), ☎ 39 0385 245663, fax: 39 0385 2456663. variable. Mon-Sun 7: 30-12: 30 and 16: 00-19: 00. Old pastry bakery that produces the famous Stradella miccone and the "La Torre" hazelnut cake. 
• Salumeria Bruni (Bruni & C.), Via XXVI Aprile 50 (Highway exit A21 VIale Libertà Via Marconi,), ☎ 39 0385 48432. variable. Tue-Sat 8: 00-12: 30 and 16: 00-19: 30, Sun 8: 00-12: 30. Ancient small delicatessen that produces sausages and gastronomy at km. zero. Their salami and pancetta are particularly popular. 

How to have fun

Night clubs

• Gioele restaurant. For fine palates. 
• Villa Nay. For equally refined palates. 
• White Rabbit. For lovers of tartare and recommended for young people 
• O Scugnizzo Gourmet. Sensational pizzas: it seems to be a Naples! 
• Neverland. Tasty, quick and tempting sandwiches. 
• Garibaldi Sushi bar. For lovers of raw fish. 

Where to eat

Where stay

Average prices

• Italy hotels, Via Giuseppe Mazzini, 4. Here it is also possible to have lunch and dinner without great pretensions, but with excellent taste. In autumn and winter, boiled meat is strongly recommended. 

Safety

How to keep in touch

Around

L'Oltrepò Pavese is part of the Oltrepò Pavese Wine and Flavors Route, a food and wine tourism promotion route, about 60 kilometers long and recognized by the Region Lombardy, which runs in the province of Pavia on a territory of 78 municipalities, including: Voghera, Broni, Canneto Pavese, Stradella, Zenevredo, Bosnasco, San Damiano al Colle, Flip it over, Santa Maria della Versa, Montecalvo Versiggia, Golferenzo, Canevino, Rocca de 'Giorgi, Montalto Pavese, Borgoratto Mormorolo, Fortunago, Montesegale, Godiasco, Rivanazzano, Retorbid, Codevilla, Montebello of the Battle, Corvino San Quirico, Oliva Gessi, Mornico Losana, Calvignano, Torricella Verzate, Casteggio, Santa Giuletta, Redavalle, Cigognola, Brunette is Montescano.

Itineraries

Nearby the King of Pais, Broni, where it will be possible for the visitor to pray on the relics of San Contardo da Ferrara, who died in Broni on his way to Santiago de Compostela. It will also be possible to walk up to the chapel dedicated to the Saint through a walk with a 300 m difference in height recognized as an official CAI route. Every year, on the occasion of Holy Easter and in particular of Good Friday, the via crucis takes place towards the top of the mountain which takes the name of Monte San Contardo. It will also be possible, for the youngest and most trendy, to go to the local "Le Fonti di Recoaro", where from May to September, it is possible to enjoy an excellent pizza and make four hops in the disco, attached to the restaurant with external environments.

Other projects

• Wikipedia contains an entry concerning Stradella
• Commons contains images or other files on Stradella

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