Varzi, frazione Castellaro, Way of Salt

The definition “Way of Salt” indicates the ancient roads and the mule tracks that in the past went down the Po Valley and the hilly areas of northern Italy to the Ligurian coastline. The name of these important roads explains the great value attached to minerals in the past; salt, indeed, was essential for nourishment and food preservation. For this reasons, from the Middle Ages to the 15th century, the network of ways and paths from the plain to the sea became so complex and important.
The “Lombard” Way of Salt, considering the particular territory called Oltrepò pavese, penetrated into the Staffora Valley at Vogheram and then reached the village of Varzi. From there onwards, the paths and the mule tracks led southwards, and reached Mt Antola and then Torriglia, to continue to Genoa.
With the opening of this way towards the sea, Varzi became a very important trading centre.