Zerbolò between Ticino Nature and Castle History

Nature Trails and Landscapes along the Ticino

Zerbolò combines natural experiences along the Ticino with a multifaceted local history. If you would like to bring nature observation, physical activity and culture together in your travel plans, the trails around Cascina Venara offer a range of starting points. The Sentiero Zerbolò begins and ends at Ostello Cascina Venara. It passes through diverse, ecologically significant and valuable habitats that are typical of Parco del Ticino. The Anello della Venara also begins and ends at Cascina Venara in Zerbolò. On the Ciclabile lungo il Ticino, Cascina Venara in the locality of Zerbolò is one of the stops.

Forest Conservation and White Storks

Bosco Siro Negri is part of this natural environment, a remnant of the original lowland forests. It was established as an integral nature reserve by a decree of the Ministry of the Italian Republic dated 11 December 1973. Access to Bosco Siro Negri from Zerbolò leads via Cascina Venara and trail E1. Here, the history of landscape conservation is linked to practical guidance for visiting this woodland area.

Around 30 white storks from the local colony breed in the wild in the designated area at Cascina Venara. The project for breeding, acclimatizing and releasing pairs of white storks at Cascina Venara was made possible through agreements between the Municipality of Zerbolò, the Parco Lombardo della Valle del Ticino and environmental organizations that took part successively. The association “A Passo d'Ali” monitors and protects the white stork colony and raises awareness among school classes and park visitors.

Castles and Local History

The local history can also be traced through castles and their historical connections. The surviving remains of Castello di Parasacco date back to a castle built by the people of Pavia between the 14th and 15th centuries; they are located northwest of the town on an alluvial terrace of the Ticino. Castello di Zerbolò is a fortified castle built in the 15th century and incorporated into other buildings in the town center. In 1259, Mauro Beccaria, Zanone’s son, received permission from the Comune di Pavia to build a castle on land he had acquired from the monastery of San Salvatore. The settlement grew around the castle and was called “Zerbolato” by the Beccaria family in 1393.

Churches and Festival Tradition

The parish church of San Bartolomeo is part of the area’s religious and architectural history. It can be visited in Zerbolò; its present structure was completed between 1743 and 1747. The Church of Santa Maria Avvocata in Parasacco is in the Baroque style and contains valuable decorative details and frescoes. Together with the fortified castle in the town center, San Bartolomeo shows how religious and defensive architectural history meet in Zerbolò.

The local festival tradition is linked to 24 August, the patronal celebration in honor of the Apostle Bartholomew.

Also discover Montesegale, Varzi, San Giorgio di Lomellina, San Damiano Al Colle, San Paolo, Santa Maria Della Versa, Cava Manara and Moriano.

For the main travel overview: Pavia.