Vigevano: Artistic Hotspot in the North of Italy

Besides the rich cultural offer, Vigevano is the privileged background of numerous events related to the excellence of the territory, or dedicated to recreation and entertainment. The city is very committed to the environment, with interesting nature trails in the Ticino Park, that, in addition to the rich gastronomic experiences, are an excellence of the territory.

Few steps in the past
The origins of Vigevano date back to early Middle Ages as a fortified place corresponding to the area of the castle courtyard, around which the village later developed. Since the mid XIV century, Vigevano reached great importance thanks to Luchino Visconti, who built the Castle to make it one of his favorite residences, connecting for the future decades the history of the city to the Visconti dynasty. After the death of the last Visconti, Vigevano was taken by Francesco Sforza as summer residence and hunting lodge for his court. In this period the city was embellished and enlarged, the Stables of the Castle were built as a place dedicated to the horses of the distinguished guests invited to participate to the hunt, as well as the "Loggia of the Ladies", the "Falconiera" and the Tower, inspired by the architectural work of the world renowned architect Donato Bramante. During that period, Piazza Ducale (Ducal Square), designed as a monumental entrance to the Castle, was built as well.

The treasures of Vigevano: Castle and museums
Castello Sforzesco of Vigevano is the artistic heart of the city, hosting several museums inside its structure and stables, which can be accessed from the courtyard, passing by Piazza Ducale.

The latest news hosted in the rooms of the castle is Leonardiana, the only place in the world where visitors can admire the work of one of the greatest geniuses of mankind. The Museum offers an innovative journey through the life and works of Leonardo Da Vinci, who stayed in Vigevano as superintendent of the waters at the court of Ludovico il Moro and Beatrice d'Este, who always appreciated the exquisite artistic skills and the scientific and mathematical genius of Leonardo. The Museum exposes all the works of Leonardo including drawings, notebooks, codes.



The exhibition also includes all 26 paintings recognized as Leonardo's works, reproduced in real scale with special high-resolution techniques, which allow the visitors to immerse themselves in the work, experiencing a unique in-depth observation and analysis of his artistic genius. (Opening hours: from Tuesday to Friday 9:00am to 1:00pm and 3:00p.m. to 6:00pm. Saturday and Sunday 10:00am to 8:00pm. Tickets: € 10,00 full price - € 8,50 reduced. Website: https://www.leonardiana.it/ )

Recently renovated with new multimedia areas, the International Footwear Museum "Pietro Bertolini" is certainly the most characteristic museum of the city and hosts historic footwear, documents, memorabilia, various objects related to footwear collected by Pietro Bertolini, one of the major footwear entrepreneurs of the city. His private collection constituted the beginning of the museum, which now offers a rich historical overview of the footwear fashion industry from the fifteenth century to the 70s of the '900, a section of shoes from all over the world, eclectic shoes; the museum documents the fashion of the recent decades featuring models of the major Italian and foreign brands. A whole section is dedicated to high heels shoes, from 1953 to present days, coming from international and local production. (Opening hours: Tuesday to Friday 2:00pm - 5:30pm; Saturday, Sunday and public holidays 10:00am to 6:00pm. Free entry. Website: www.museocalzaturavigevano.it )

Inside the halls of Castello Sforzesco (1^st floor) the Civic Art Gallery "C. Ottone" is located, an exhibition dedicated to the painter who lived in Vigevano at the beginning of '900, famous for the restoration of the frescoes of the Piazza Ducale in Vigevano. The art gallery features works from the sixteenth century to present days, with particular attention to artists from Vigevano of the nineteenth and twentieth century (for example Garberini, Ottone, Bocca, Raffele, Zanoletti).
(Opening hours: Tuesday to Friday 2:00pm - 5:30pm; Saturday, Sunday and public holidays 10:00am to 6:00pm. Free entry. Website: www.museocalzaturavigevano.it )

The Lomellina National Archaeological Museum is located in the third stable and adjacent rooms of the castle. It collects various archaeological findings from excavations or occasional recoveries in the area, from prehistory to Middle Ages. The first room, the Scuderia, displays some grave goods coming from different locations in Lomellina area. In the second room findings from Late Antiquity and the early Middle Ages are exhibited documenting the decline of Roman civilization and the arrival of the Barbarians like Goths and Lombards. Remarkable is the presence of findings of ancient fortifications from the archaeological site of Lomello. In the third room of the exhibition, there are materials coming from the countryside and the surrounding towns of Vigevano, illustrating people way of life from prehistory to the age of Celts and Romans. The museum hosts also a space for temporary exhibitions which are dedicated to the abundant archaeological material from Lomellina stored in warehouses. (Opening hours: Tuesday to Saturday from 8.30am to 1.30pm. Closed on Sundays and holidays.
Website: https://www.museoarcheologico.vigevano.beniculturali.it/ )