Vigevano, travel treasures

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Vigevano (Avgevan in the local variety of Western Lombard) is a town and comune in the province of Pavia, which possesses many artistic treasures. Vigevano received the honorary title of city with a decree of Duke Francis II Sforza on February 2, 1532. Vigevano is particularly well known for its beautiful Renaissance "Piazza Ducale", in the centre of the town.

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The earliest notices of Vigevano date from the 10th century AD, when it was a favoured residence of the Lombard king Arduin, for the sake of the good hunting in the vicinity.Vigevano was a Ghibelline commune, favoring the Emperor and was accordingly besieged and taken by the Milanese in 1201 and again in 1275. In 1328 it finally surrendered to Azzone Visconti, and thereafter shared the political fortunes of Milan.

In the last years of Visconti domination it sustained a siege by Francesco Sforza. Once he was settled in power in Lombardy, Sforza procured the erection of Vigevano as the seat of a bishop and provided its revenues.

This town, worldwide famous as industrial centre and "capital" of the footwear production, boasts works of art such as the Ducal square, one the most beautiful piazzas in Italy, and the Castle, that stands out among all others in Lombardy

Designed by Bramante,

the beautiful Renaissance

"Piazza Ducale“ is

one of Italy's most

beautiful piazzas

The building of Piazza Ducale was instigated by Duke Ludovico il Moro and work began in 1492. It was intended to serve as a stately forecourt to the castle. It is one of the earliest types of Renaissance piazza and also one of the few examples of a piazza conceived as a single piece of architecture. All in all, it can be regarded as one of the most complete urbanistic achievements to emerge in Lombardy in the whole of the fifteenth century.

The Ducal SquareDesigned by Bramante

The piazza is the shape of an elongated rectangle measuring 134 metres by 48 metres. It is enclosed with arched porticos supported by 84 columns. The porticos have carved capitals, all of which are different. Originally, at the foot of the tower, where a flight of steps now leads up into the castle, there was a gap in the chain of porticos and a ramp, which could be crossed on horseback as well as on foot, rose from the centre of the piazza to the main castle gate, the grand entrance to the royal palace

In 1680, bishop Juan Caramuel Lobkowitz had the ramp removed and porticos built in its place so that the chain ran uninterrupted.

The baroque façade of the cathedral was erected, thus enclosing the fourth side of the square. This façade is curved and aligned with the axis of the piazza, hiding the fact that the church building behind is off-centre.

The Ducal SquarePortici

The pictorial decoration dating back to the sixteenth century was repainted in the early 1900's using bright colours and patterns. The result is an illusionistic effect created by architectural detail, mythological figures, floral designs, ducal coats of arms and a series of medallions depicting members of the ducal family, great figures from classical history and strange fifteenth century mottos.

Text & pictures: InternetCopyright: All the images belong to their authors

Presentation: Sanda Foi oreanuşwww.slideshare.net/michaelasanda

Sound: Cour de Savoie - Bernardo Ottani - L'amore senza malizia, opera overture