The History
In the earliest records, dating back from 963, Vigevano was mentioned as “Vicogeboin” or “Vicus Gebuin”, which was his Lombard name. The settlement was raised near the river Ticino and fortified in the 12th century on the side facing the valley. More or less equally distant from Pavia and Milan, Vigevano has often been the theatre of war between the two cities seeking to gain dominion over the Lomellina for more than 150 years. Things improved with the advent of signory. Between the 14th and the 15th century, the town first became the estate of the Della Torre family, later of the Viscontis and eventually of the Sforza family, from 1450 till 1535.
Places of interest:
• The Sforza Castle / Castello SFORZESCO – Via Venti settembre; Tel +39 0381 693952
• Church of SAN FRANCESCO – Piazza S. Francesco – Tel +39 0381 83571
• Church of SAN PIETRO MARTIRE – Piazza Beato Matteo
• Cathedral / DUOMO – Piazza Sant'Ambrogio 14 – Tel +39 0381 82520
• Museum of the Treasures of the Vigevano Cathedral / MUSEO DEL TESORO DEL DUOMO– Piazza Sant'Ambrogio 14 – Tel +39 0381 82520
• Museum of Entrepreneurship – Via Merula, 40
• International Museum of Footwear / Museo INTERNAZIONALE DELLA CALZATURA – Piazza Ducale
• ARCHAEOLOGICAL Museum – Corso Cavour – Tel +39 0381 312624
• Palace of SAN SEVERINO – Corso Repubblica, 21
• Piazza DUCALE (Ducal Square)