Named after the river on which it lies, Voghera is a historic town in the Province of Pavia, partway between Milan and Genoa. Originally known as “Iria”, it was occupied by Napoleon’s troops at the turn of the 19th century before being captured by the Austrians. Due to its strategic setting, Voghera was heavily bombed during World War II.
Things to do in Voghera
One of Voghera’s most impressive landmarks is the Castello Visconteo, a 14th-century castle built as a residence for the Visconti of Milan. It was originally designed with an arcaded courtyard and framed by four towers, although these have since been shortened. Coincide your visit with a cultural event or exhibition to explore the interior and see the Bartolomeo Suardi frescoes.
Constructed on the ruins of a centuries-old church, the Duomo di Voghera is a magnificent cathedral in the heart of town. It houses a beautiful organ constructed using pipes from the Cathedral of Pavia and several works by the Neoclassical painter, Paolo Borroni. Among the cathedral’s treasures are antique furnishings, religious sculptures and gold brocades.
Travelling with kids? Don’t miss a visit to Cowboyland, which is the only Western-themed amusement park in Italy. It is packed with American frontier-style attractions, including the Fort Alamo children’s playground and the Gold Mine Train roller coaster. In addition to hosting a rodeo and a cattle show, the park features a horse-riding school and a wildlife park with bison, raccoons and deer.
Getting around Voghera
Voghera is around an hour’s drive from Milan and 1.5 hours from Milan Malpensa Airport, which has flights to destinations across the globe. Regular trains connect to the Voghera railway station and buses travel throughout the town, connecting most of its attractions.