From the Renaissance court of Ludovico il Moro to the food today: Journey to Vigevano

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A journey through the Renaissance, on the trail of Leonardo Da Vinci and between the atmosphere of the court of Ludovico Sforza, Il Moro here the experience exciting and unique, we have experienced during our trip to Vigevano. This city jewel, surrounded by the Parco del Ticino, is about thirty kilometers from Milan and Pavia, but is reachable in about an hour also from western Liguria. Just make so little headway, and he is catapulted into a world that often we know only through movies and history books. And the story here is breathed in deeply: Ludovico il Moro, Duke of Milan, was born in Vigevano, the same year, 1452, in which Leonardo Da Vinci was born in Tuscany. Leonardo was in fact one of the most famous among travelers who reached Vigevano over the centuries: he was about thirty when he showed up at Louis, and from that meeting between the genius and the great Duke sprang a fruitful collaboration that led Leonardo to achieving the 'other frescoes in the Castello Sforzesco in Milan. When we begin our walk Renaissance in Vigevano, a lady passionate about local history, by which a chat in front of the beautiful Church of San Francesco, tells us that it was during a survey in rural area around Vigevano, Leonardo realized the potential that the scales are present here and there in the ground, they could have in irrigation and reclamation of swampland.
Walk to Piazza Ducale, one of the most fabulous places in the world, neither the words nor pictures do justice to the beauty of this place, you have to see him in person. It was built by Ludovico il Moro from the same year that Christopher Columbus discovered America, 1492. The Cathedral, as a sacred goal to be reached after crossing metaphorically many centuries of history, welcoming passers-by who come to us along the picturesque porticos that stretch on the sides of the square and the spectacular Torre del Bramante.
Among the historic buildings to visit in Vigevano can not miss Palazzo Sanseverino, built around 1490 as the residence of Gian Galeazzo Sanseverino, son of Ludovico Il Moro. Visiting it is a pleasure, not only cultural but also culinary: yes, because this historic building, from 1898 to 1998 was the seat of the glorious "Sport Club - Pro Vigevano," is now located in the southwestern part of the building , the renowned restaurant - The Wine Shop Tastevin. In the halls of Palazzo Sanseverino, where we sit to enjoy a real dinner Vigevano, we can even see traces of frescoes from the days of Louis, as well as other historical works piottoriche made in later centuries, and high fashion shoes, exposed stationed in caskets, that the venue through the exchange with the Museum of Vigevano shoe. During the period of the Sports Club here were located two clubs, a gymnastics and fencing, in which a militant who was Julius Basletta epee gold medal team at the Olympics in Amsterdam in 1928.
"Today, in these halls organize receptions and cocktail parties, often at weddings," he says Mrs. Valentina, as we begin to study the menu. Our friend Julia, in keeping with the sporting history of the place, immediately grasps the ball and begins to seek information: Next year, you must marry her sister ... The rest of our group began to indulge themselves in front of the menu, which we are told, it changes every two months, after the appetizer, crab dumplings, we pass the first. We throw ourselves on the "Menu of tradition." Take a risotto with zucchini flowers with strips of ham, while one of our friends opted for a single pot, the yellow rice with osso buco alla Milanese. The other friends choose the menu de Tastevin, which provides, after the cod ravioli with tomato sauce, bacon and beans, a nice fillet of Angus on a bed of creamed onions, eggplant and balsamic caramel, all washed down with excellent Oltrepò Pavese wines, including labels that did not know. For the two mischievous kids who are with us, or the daughters of Julia, order, of course, the mischievous kids menu, designed especially for children. "But we also have a vegetarian menu, and for those of intolerance, just let us know on booking, we will prepare a menu to suit," explain the owners.
Who lives in a city as impressive as Vigevano, is really lucky to breathe every day atmosphere so full of art and creativity, definitely improves your life. But even those who come to visit this city as a tourist, you may receive the gift of the same emotions, just as happened to us.

Frances Bertha