Belgioioso

A large agricultural centre in the Pavian province lapping the Po, in this place teeming with fish, Belgioioso attracts lovers of the so-called minor arts for the diverse art exhibitions which take place in its castle. The building is attributed to Gian Galeazzo Visconti and dates from the second half of the XIV century: it is composed of an ancient nucleus, with the crenellated facade and the drawbridge, and an 18th century villa with a large garden. To this last period dates the fortune of the building as a distinguished residence and the construction of the greenhouses, by Leopold Pollack; also of note inside the castle, are the sculptures of the Lombardy school, tapestries and a bas-relief attributed to Mantegazza.
Other notable buildings in Belgioioso include: the Oratory of S. Giacomo della Cerretta, adorned with frescoes attributed to Foppa and Giovanni da Caminata, and also the 15th century ex chiesa dei frati ("church of the monks"), in gothic style.
With regard to exhibitions, apart the ones held in the Castle, as already mentioned, we would point out the fair of the agliolo, dedicated to the typical local salamis, or the fair and feast of San Michele, with dispays of goods and cattle.
A curiosity, the Castle of Belgioioso was an inspiration to Parini during the composition of the famous " Il mattino".