Accordion melodies: A day in Stradella.. Lombardy, Italy

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"In the heart of Stratford is the town where all the harmonics of this plain are born, and someone plays like that," Elvis sang in 1975, and after him also Nada and Gianni Morandi. But while the star of "The Accordion Stradella," the famous song that pays tribute to this lovely little town was a 'sad because of the fog at night and the girl who was sleeping next to him while traveling by car, we arrive Stradella day without fog, and all awake.
To reach this city whose name comes from Stricta Street, just exit Broni-Stradella of the Turin-Piacenza motorway and within minutes we are already in the center of the probable Roman origin, located on the route of the Via Postojna. With fertile land, this area was inhabited since the Celts and later by Ligurian tribes. The wine-making tradition, which is one of the attractions of the place, dates back to Roman times probably, but here the bread is also known, in particular the fuse of Stratford.
We begin our visit to the Museum of the Accordion Dallape named Mariano, who in 1876 planted his first workshop in Stratford for the construction of the accordion after the resounding success of the first prototype produced by him. In subsequent years there was a real boom in the city of accordion factories also were born of Hercules Maga, Henry Freemasons, Paul and Charles Rogledi Pasquin. Between the two world wars, more than one tenth of the city population was engaged in the production of accordions, and in this area Stratford has established itself as one of the most important worldwide. The Accordion Museum, located inside Palazzo Garibaldi, also contains the first prototype of Dallape.
Another interesting museum to visit in town is the Natural History Museum, where in addition to sections on botany, ecology and environment, we also saw a fascinating section of Paleontology with the findings of the geological past of the area.
The town of Stratford is dominated by the Fortress of MONTALINE, an ancient castle located in a secluded position on top of the hill. Cited before the year one thousand, the Fortress is now used as private residences. The symbol of the city, however, the Civic Tower, a beautiful and gigantic embattled tower, which, after the overthrow of the ancient gates of the fortress, and lower, remained the only witness to the "strong city" than once. In the central square is also a bronze statue, dedicated to Augustine Depretis, that here was the electoral college. Across the street stands the parish church of Saints Nabore and Felice, who are the patrons of the city. Near the church we noticed the stairs leading to the Oratory, and we stopped for a long time to photograph the river of graffiti, this time nice and legal, that the boys have made stradellini on the wall alongside the stairs. Even if we are in the area oratory, not missing a friendly monster, including the highly original bats. The Oratory Stratford is well known in the province of Pavia for the excellent sporting achievements of many young players coming from there.
Long before the aspiring cartoonists of today, was born in Stradella a famous painter, Giuseppe Baldrighi, who lived in the eighteenth century and is particularly appreciated for his portraits.
We were in the arts in the choice of restaurant where you stop for dinner, choosing the Leonardo Restaurant in Via Garibaldi. This is a local historian, who has been working for nearly seventy years. "In the beginning was a cellar, then became a bar and a sandwich. We manage by 1984, "the owner tells us, while Leonardo Decorated we sit at the table. "My son Mauro is very good, prepares delicious cakes," he adds. We start our dinner with the flavors Oltrepò Pavese an abundant antipasto misto of the house, including a mixture of grilled vegetables, a platter of cured meats, the green onions and sour, of the Roman artichokes and vegetable quiche. As the risotto is a specialty of the place, we can not continue with a nice risotto with radicchio and Bonarda Oltrepò. Some of our group instead choose the pappardelle with wild boar sauce, and some opt for the excellent gnocchi with Castelmagno. In choosing the second we divide between the traditional braised donkey Bonarda, mixed boiled meats with green sauce and Florentine. Let's water these delicacies with the Pavese Bonarda Oltrepò Gutturnio very good and the Colli Piacentini. As promised by the chef Mauro, close to a great dinner sweet, tasting of house panna cotta, tiramisu with berries and cake Fondant au chocolat.
At Stratford we have found harmony in every sense: music, art, and also at the table.

Frances Bertha

FOR INFORMATION:

www.comune.Stradella.pv.it
http://ristoranteleonardo.jimdo.com
Leonardo Restaurant
Via Garibaldi, 14 Stradella (PV)
0385/40293