Vigevano I d e a l T o w n
Vigevano, just 35 km away from Milan, is a jewel, rich of gorgeous but little-known renaissance architecture and art.
Vigevano, just 35 km away from Milan, is a jewel, rich of gorgeous but little-known renaissance architecture and art.
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Città di <strong>Vigevano</strong><br />
V e r s o E x p o 2 0 1 5<br />
<strong>Vigevano</strong><br />
I d e a l T o w n
Città di <strong>Vigevano</strong><br />
V e r s o E x p o 2 0 1 5<br />
<strong>Vigevano</strong><br />
Ideal Town<br />
With patronage of:
<strong>Vigevano</strong> V E R S O<br />
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Leonardo da Vinci<br />
and the “Ideal Town”<br />
[This day 2 February 1494 at the Sforzesca I drew<br />
25 steps of 2/3 of an arm each, 8 arms wide]<br />
(Leonardo da Vinci - Manuscript H, sheet 65 v.)<br />
“Adì 2 di febraio 1494 alla Sforzesca ritrassi scalini 25<br />
di 2/3 di braccio l’uno largo braccia 8”<br />
(Leonardo da Vinci - Manoscritto H, foglio 65 v.)<br />
Leonardo da Vinci’s time in <strong>Vigevano</strong> is documented by<br />
the town’s significant cultural heritage, origins of which<br />
can be traced back to the Sforzesca era.<br />
A figure immediately evoking the happy combination of<br />
technology and art, Leonardo worked as an engineer for<br />
the Duke, Ludovico Sforza, known as “Il Moro”, for over<br />
twenty years. The Castle and Piazza Ducale clearly evoke<br />
the great master’s designs for the “Ideal Town”, as does<br />
the Sforzesca, with its network of canals, mills and the<br />
Colombarone, the first example of a Lombard farm.
<strong>Vigevano</strong> V E R S O<br />
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Piazza Ducale<br />
Built between 1492 and 1494 at the wishes of Ludovico<br />
il Moro, Piazza Ducale was one of the first models of a<br />
Renaissance square and is one of the best examples of<br />
XV century Lombard architecture. Donato Bramante was<br />
undoubtedly present among those architects involved in<br />
the work at the Milan nobles’ court.<br />
The Piazza was built to add lustre to the town as the<br />
preferred residence of the Duke. The antechamber<br />
to the entrance of the imposing Visconti-Sforza castle,<br />
it originally had a flight of stone steps permitting the<br />
triumphal entrance of the Dukes to the Castle residence.<br />
The pulsing hub of the town, it is surrounded by<br />
porticoes and arcades supported by 84 columns with<br />
capitals in different styles, and owes its present form to<br />
the Bishop Architect Juan Caramuel y Lobkowitz who<br />
built the baroque facade of the Cathedral in 1680.
<strong>Vigevano</strong> V E R S O<br />
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Sant’Ambrogio Cathedral<br />
Cattedrale di Sant’Ambrogio<br />
The building of the Cathedral dedicated to<br />
Sant’Ambrogio, Bishop of Milan, was started<br />
by the Duke Francesco II Sforza in 1532<br />
to a design by Antonio da Lonate and<br />
completed in 1606.<br />
The Baroque facade - designed by Bishop Juan<br />
Caramuel y Lobkowitz-was juxtaposed to<br />
remedy the asymmetry of the square in front.<br />
Inside are important works of art among which<br />
valuable paintings by Macrino d’Alba and<br />
Bernardino Ferrari.<br />
Adjacent to the Cathedral of Sant’Ambrogio<br />
is the Museo del Tesoro del Duomo which<br />
contains, as well as precious corals and<br />
miniature codices by Ferrante Decio, an<br />
extremely valuable reliquary in gold-plated<br />
silver by the Lombard school, Flemish<br />
tapestries and a sixteenth century<br />
wall-hanging used in Monza for the<br />
coronation of Napoleon Bonaparte.
<strong>Vigevano</strong> V E R S O<br />
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The Dukes‘ Architecture<br />
Le architetture del Duca<br />
The group of monuments composed of the Piazza Ducale and<br />
Visconteo-Sforzesco Castle as seen today, is the result of construction<br />
works which lasted over two centuries during the reigns of the<br />
Visconti and Sforza in Milan. This was the period during which<br />
<strong>Vigevano</strong> reached its maximum splendour, becoming the ducal<br />
residence and an important commercial centre.<br />
The town developed in a spiral around the castle which is one<br />
of the biggest fortified structures in Europe: the buildings composing<br />
it covering over 70,000 square metres.
<strong>Vigevano</strong> V E R S O<br />
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The Duke’s Palace<br />
Palazzo Ducale<br />
Up until the mid 1300s the Maschio (Keep)<br />
– corresponding to the ancient “castrum” and<br />
probably of Lombard origin - was used for the<br />
defence of the residents and as a safe refuge for<br />
the inhabitants of the hamlet and suburbs.<br />
Its transformation into the Duke’s Palace began in<br />
1345 and it was mainly Ludovico il Moro with the<br />
guidance of Donato Bramante who gave it the<br />
appearance of a renaissance palace.<br />
Lombard artists and artisans worked to adorn the<br />
great halls with frescoes and magnificent furnishings<br />
for the duke’s court, illustrious figures and sovereigns.<br />
Some of the frescoes, dating to the second half<br />
of the XV century, are still visible today; the Sala<br />
dell’Affresco is particularly important and depicts<br />
a hunting scene, the favourite pastime of the Dukes<br />
of Milan.
<strong>Vigevano</strong> V E R S O<br />
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Bramante Tower<br />
Torre del Bramante<br />
This is the symbol of <strong>Vigevano</strong> inasmuch as<br />
standing at the highest point of the town.<br />
It was built in various stages starting in 1198 and<br />
was made a vantage point at the wishes of<br />
Ludovico il Moro and his wife Beatrice d’Este in<br />
1492 - 1494, becoming the official entrance to the<br />
castle. Its unusual outline was used as the model<br />
for the reconstruction of the Filerete Tower in the<br />
Sforzesco castle in Milan in the XIX century: composed<br />
of gradually smaller sections, from its battlements it<br />
offers a complete panorama over the Piazza, Castle<br />
and entire town. The bronze dome was added in 1563<br />
in place of the original conical spire.
<strong>Vigevano</strong> V E R S O<br />
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Falconry | Falconiera<br />
This is the elegant overhead loggia from which the art of<br />
falconry was practised during the time of the dukes of Milan.<br />
Recently restored, it is attributed to Donato Bramante and has<br />
round arches supported by slim granite columns with capitals<br />
similar to those of the ducal stables. Frescoes with decorative<br />
motifs of the renaissance period have been rediscovered on<br />
the colonnades.<br />
The Ladies’ Loggia | Loggia delle Dame<br />
This was built beside the Palazzo Ducale around 1490 by Donato<br />
Bramante upon appointment by Ludovico il Moro and originally<br />
overlooked a hanging garden known as the “Duchess’ garden” below<br />
which the castle cellars were situated.<br />
The Loggia bears the typical features of Bramante’s designs with seven<br />
round arches in white marble resting on columns with elegant capitals<br />
in dark stone and floral motifs. This was the “ladies” part of the Castle,<br />
where Beatrice d’Este and her ladies in waiting resided.
<strong>Vigevano</strong> V E R S O<br />
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Stables | Scuderie<br />
Three long stables divide the Castle area from the<br />
town. Imposing buildings, one of which - built at the<br />
orders of Ludovico il Moro – recalls Leonardo da Vinci’s<br />
designs for his “model stable” in the Paris Codex B and<br />
the Trivulziano Codex.<br />
One of the stables is the permanent home of the<br />
Museo Archeologico Nazionale della Lomellina,<br />
while the other two are used for temporary exhibitions.
<strong>Vigevano</strong> V E R S O<br />
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Covered Road and Vaults<br />
Strada coperta e Sotterranee<br />
The “Covered Road” or “Upper level” is a unique feature<br />
throughout European castle architecture and was built to the<br />
orders of Luchino Visconti starting in 1340. Its construction as<br />
a fortified bridge served a specific purpose: that of protecting<br />
the passage of the Milanese nobles and joining the Castle to<br />
the Old Fort by a safe route.<br />
The raised section of the Road thus provided room for the areas<br />
at town level known as the “Vaults” or “Lower level”.<br />
The Vaults blend in with the architecture of the Duke’s Palace<br />
and are used for temporary exhibitions. From this level it’s<br />
possible to admire the imposing foundations of the Duke’s Palace.
<strong>Vigevano</strong> V E R S O<br />
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Cavallerizza<br />
A majestic building with a interesting structure made of<br />
wooden trusses, it was built in 1837 on the area where<br />
the destroyed Old Fort once stood. Initially designed as<br />
an indoor riding stables, it was subsequently refurbished:<br />
the area of over 1500 square metres is used for events,<br />
shows, exhibitions, conferences and initiatives of various<br />
kinds and also includes a garden communicating with<br />
the Covered Road and the Vaults of the Castle.
<strong>Vigevano</strong> V E R S O<br />
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Shoe Museum<br />
Museo della Calzatura<br />
The ‘’Pietro Bertolini” Shoe Museum in <strong>Vigevano</strong> is the only public museum in Italy dedicated<br />
to the history and evolution of shoes. Situated in the suggestive, fifteenth-century setting of the<br />
Sforzesco Castle, the museum sets out to express, through its narration of the shoe, both the<br />
history and economy of <strong>Vigevano</strong> and the international evolution of the shoe as a design and<br />
fashion object. The museum is divided into 4 sections: historic, ethnic, modern and interesting facts.<br />
<strong>Vigevano</strong> is famous throughout the world for its shoe-making tradition, an ancient trade<br />
documented in the Borough Statute dating back to 1392.
<strong>Vigevano</strong> V E R S O<br />
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Picture Gallery | Pinacoteca<br />
Above the stables of Ludovico il Moro is the seat of the<br />
Civic Picture Gallery “Casimiro Ottone” containing the most<br />
important works of Lomellina artists. The gallery has 10<br />
identical rooms containing various works, among which<br />
portions of the original frescoes of Piazza Ducale dating to<br />
the XV-XVI century and a valuable work of art by the Lombard<br />
artist Bernardino Ferrari, dating to 1515.
<strong>Vigevano</strong> V E R S O<br />
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Cagnoni Civic Theatre | Civico Teatro Cagnoni<br />
In <strong>Vigevano</strong> live performances go on stage at the Cagnoni Civic Theatre.<br />
Music, drama, opera and operetta, comedies and charity shows.<br />
For 140 years generations of actors and spectators have succeeded each<br />
other to act, sing and experience unforgettable emotions.<br />
The Theatre seats 602 spectators divided among the stalls, three levels of<br />
boxes and the central gallery. The Theatre foyer is used for meetings and<br />
ceremonies and seats up to 70.
<strong>Vigevano</strong> V E E X R P S O<br />
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San Dionigi<br />
Church<br />
Chiesa di San Dionigi<br />
The first document to contain a mention of the Church of<br />
San Dionigi dates back to 1323: originally situated near<br />
the Castle Keep, it was built as public oratory for use by the<br />
Confraternita della Misericordia. The building, which was<br />
extended in the XVI century, consisted of a rectangular room,<br />
rotated by 90° compared to its current layout. Further works<br />
were begun in 1750.<br />
Inside are two important works of art: a polychrome wooden<br />
group composed of eight statues portraying the deposition<br />
in the tomb - attributed to the XV century Piedmontese or<br />
Lombard workshop - and a painting by Cerano showing<br />
the martyrdom of Saint Denis.<br />
Since 2011 the Church of San Dionigi has become the<br />
Auditorium della Fondazione di Piacenza e <strong>Vigevano</strong>,<br />
where concerts, cultural events and conferences are held,<br />
and may be visited free of charge at weekends.
<strong>Vigevano</strong> V E R S O<br />
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Merula Palace<br />
Built in the 1600s this Baroque gem in the heart of the town which was<br />
formerly an ancient convent and male orphanage is now the seat of the<br />
Town’s Historic Archive and contains ancient documents, parchments,<br />
incunabula and XVI century books.<br />
Palazzo Merula is also home to the Museo dell’Imprenditoria of <strong>Vigevano</strong>.
<strong>Vigevano</strong> V E R S O<br />
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The mills | I mulini<br />
During his time at the service of the Duke of Milan Leonardo da Vinci planned<br />
reclamation works of most of the <strong>Vigevano</strong> area, drawing and studying the various<br />
mills already existing at the time. Among those remaining is the Mora Bassa<br />
Windmill, given by Ludovico il Moro to his wife Beatrice d’Este as a wedding<br />
present in 1494.<br />
Fitted with two large water wheels it is now the permanent home of Leonardo’s<br />
machines and includes functioning wooden models of his designs.
<strong>Vigevano</strong> V E R S O<br />
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Colombarone della Sforzesca<br />
The Colombarone was the archetype model of a working<br />
farm in the Lombard area. The complex has the typical<br />
layout of a castle with four buildings along the sides and<br />
four towers at the corners called the “colombaroni”,<br />
around a practically square, central courtyard.<br />
The towers are decorated with pointed arched windows and<br />
sawtooth friezes. Built from 1486 onwards it later became<br />
the example for agricultural organisation in the Po valley<br />
area. It is situated in the Sforzesca village of <strong>Vigevano</strong> near<br />
the Ticino park, a place where Leonardo da Vinci also<br />
resided, helping to improve the land with waterworks<br />
designs for a better irrigation of the fields. The Leicester<br />
Code contains drawings showing the “molino della Scala”,<br />
a stepped construction of flowing water, still present today.
<strong>Vigevano</strong> V E R S O<br />
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Our territory<br />
Il nostro territorio<br />
<strong>Vigevano</strong> is the most important town in the Lomellina, the historic<br />
and geographic region of the Po valley comprising the Sesia, Po,<br />
Ticino and bordering with the southern part of Novara. A land of<br />
rice fields, water works and castles it has many features to boast<br />
about; above all that of being an uncontaminated plain studded<br />
with a great artistic, fauna and naturalistic heritage.<br />
This area is interesting to visit at any time of year; the colours of<br />
the countryside, the deeply-rooted traditions, the many historic<br />
re-enactments and gastronomic excellences make it a unique and<br />
fascinating place.<br />
With its 60,000 inhabitants, <strong>Vigevano</strong> has the great advantage of<br />
being a “people-friendly” town: near Milan - just 35 km away -<br />
but far away from the hectic city pace.
<strong>Vigevano</strong> V E R S O<br />
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Rice fields | Le risaie<br />
In Europe the first mention of rice farming refers precisely to this area,<br />
to the village of Villanova situated just a few kilometres from <strong>Vigevano</strong>.<br />
Today <strong>Vigevano</strong> is inside the rice triangle with the provinces of Pavia,<br />
Novara and Vercelli together forming the biggest rice producing area<br />
in Europe.<br />
“Rice” is in fact the name of an important event entirely dedicated to<br />
rice, held in <strong>Vigevano</strong> castle at harvesting time in September. Its main<br />
purpose is to identify through this excellent product not just the territory<br />
but also the ancient skills, traditions, farming and production methods<br />
entwined with the areas where the rice is grown.
<strong>Vigevano</strong> V E R S O<br />
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The Ticino Park | Parco del Ticino<br />
<strong>Vigevano</strong> is in the area of the Ticino park, a river reserve which<br />
is one of the M.A.B. Man and Biosphere natural areas recognised<br />
by UNESCO as one of the most important natural reserves in the<br />
world. The woods located in the <strong>Vigevano</strong> area are among those<br />
most important in terms of biodiversity.<br />
Boats and canoes can be used to sail along the Ticino river and<br />
the paths through the Park joining <strong>Vigevano</strong> to Pavia offer<br />
a natural trail of outstanding interest.
<strong>Vigevano</strong> V E R S O<br />
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E<br />
Typical products | Prodotti tipici<br />
I G<br />
. V<br />
V A N O<br />
.<br />
De.C.O.<br />
<strong>Vigevano</strong>’s gastronomic products consist of traditional<br />
Lombard dishes and a number of De.C.O.,<br />
Denominazione Comunale d’Origine products, such<br />
as “Figadej” namely a cold cut made from pig liver,<br />
the “Cent Franc” biscuit and “La Viginuna” tart.<br />
The Dolce Riso del Moro made according to an<br />
ancient recipe of the Sforza era can also be counted<br />
among the rice-based delicacies.<br />
The many restaurants and trattorias scattered<br />
throughout the town centre and surrounding<br />
countryside offer a chance to savour local dishes,<br />
with menus specially designed to celebrate the<br />
gastronomic wealth of the area.
L o c a t i o n s<br />
merula Palace<br />
<strong>Vigevano</strong> V E R S O<br />
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Cavallerizza<br />
The places presented in the previous pages, of inestimable value in<br />
terms of history and beauty are the ideal location for holding various<br />
types of event. Over the years important exhibitions, conventions,<br />
gala dinners, events etc. have been held within the walls of the<br />
monumental complex of the Sforzesco Castle, but also in the grand<br />
Covered road<br />
locations nearby, organised by private operators or by Municipal<br />
institutions.<br />
Stables<br />
Castle court<br />
E X H I B I T I O N S - C O N V E N T I O N S - M U S I C A L E V E N T S - S H O W S - G A L A D I N N E R S
C.SO VITTORIO<br />
M a p o f p l a c e s o f i n t e r e s t<br />
<strong>Vigevano</strong> V E R S O<br />
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VIA MORA<br />
BASSA<br />
12<br />
CORSO CAVOUR<br />
VIA<br />
VIA DE AMICIS<br />
In this pamphlet we have mentioned<br />
the most important places of<br />
historic interest in the Town of <strong>Vigevano</strong>:<br />
here is a simplified map showing where<br />
they are located.<br />
1<br />
2<br />
3<br />
4<br />
D<br />
D<br />
5<br />
6<br />
7<br />
8<br />
9<br />
10<br />
11<br />
12<br />
BRAMANTE TOWER | Torre del Bramante<br />
PIAZZA DUCALE<br />
SANT’ AMBROGIO CATHEDRAL | Cattedrale di Sant’ Ambrogio<br />
SFORZESCO CASTLE | Castello Sforzesco<br />
D<br />
B<br />
A<br />
C<br />
COVERED ROAD | Strada Coperta<br />
CIVIC MUSEUM | Musei civici<br />
CAVALLERIZZA<br />
CAGNONI CIVIC THEATRE | Civico Teatro Cagnoni<br />
MERULA PALACE<br />
SAN DIONIGI CHURCH | Chiesa di San Dionigi<br />
COLOMBARONE DELLA SFORZESCA<br />
THE MILLS | Mulini<br />
A Duke's Palace | Palazzo Ducale<br />
B Falconry | Falconiera<br />
C The ladies' loggia | Loggia delle Dame<br />
D Stables and Museum | Scuderie e Musei<br />
CORSO GARIBALDI<br />
CORSO GENOVA<br />
CORSO GARIBALDI<br />
VIA DIAZ<br />
VIA GIRONA<br />
VIA BOLDRINI<br />
VIA DANTE<br />
CORSO DELLA REPUBBLICA<br />
VIA DEI MULINI<br />
VIA CAVALLOTTI<br />
VIA RONCALLI<br />
6<br />
VIA CARROBBIO<br />
VIA DELLA COSTA<br />
VIA CESAREA<br />
VIA DEL POPOLO<br />
VIA SILVA<br />
9<br />
VIA MERULA<br />
10<br />
VIA SANTACROCE<br />
1 2<br />
3<br />
4<br />
5<br />
VIA RIBERIA<br />
VIA DEL CARMINE<br />
VIA RIBERIA<br />
EMANUELE<br />
VIA SAPORITI<br />
VIA PERSANI<br />
VIA CAIROLI<br />
VIA DEL CARMINE<br />
8<br />
CORSO PAVIA<br />
NAV.<br />
VIA ROMA<br />
7<br />
SFORZESCO<br />
VIA ROCCA VECCHIA<br />
VIA CAIROLI<br />
VIA DECEMBRIO<br />
VIA L.IL MORO<br />
VIA CARDUCCI<br />
VIA XXVI APRILE<br />
VIA BUOZZI<br />
VIA MARCONI<br />
VIA MARAZZANI<br />
VIALE MAZZINI<br />
RAILWAY STATION<br />
VIA L. DA VINCI<br />
PAVIA DIRECTION<br />
SFORZESCA<br />
11
H o w t o g e t t o V i g e v a n o<br />
<strong>Vigevano</strong> V E R S O<br />
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<strong>Vigevano</strong> is located in a strategic position, practically equidistant from Milano (35 km), Novara (27 km)<br />
and Pavia (37 km).<br />
From Milan by car:<br />
take the Tangenziale Ovest and SP ex SS 494 towards<br />
Abbiategrasso; or take the motorway Milano – Genova,<br />
Gropello Cairoli exit.<br />
From Milan by train:<br />
from Milano P.ta Genova (MM2) or Milano San Cristoforo<br />
(MM2) take a train going towards Mortara – Alessandria.<br />
From Milan Linate airport:<br />
- by car: follow the signs for Bologna / Tangenziale<br />
Ovest - come off at <strong>Vigevano</strong>-Lorenteggio, follow the<br />
signs for <strong>Vigevano</strong>.<br />
From Milan Malpensa airport:<br />
- by car: take the dual carriageway SS336 towards<br />
Magenta; then follow the signs for Abbiategrasso<br />
and <strong>Vigevano</strong>. Continued through Robecco sul Naviglio<br />
and Abbiategrasso to <strong>Vigevano</strong>.<br />
From Milan airports to Milan city centre:<br />
Milan airports are connected by train and shuttle to<br />
the centre of Milan. From there take the tube train M2<br />
to the railway station of Porta Genova.<br />
Private operators in <strong>Vigevano</strong>:<br />
A number of private operators have organised a<br />
“tailor made” service for their guests among which<br />
direct transport from <strong>Vigevano</strong> to Expo 2015 and back.<br />
See the website below for further information:<br />
“<strong>Vigevano</strong> verso Expo 2015”<br />
www.comune.vigevano.pv.it<br />
A26<br />
NOVARA<br />
VIGEVANO<br />
FS MI-AL<br />
MALPENSA<br />
Abbiategrasso<br />
Mortara<br />
A4 MI-TO<br />
Magenta<br />
FS MI-AL<br />
A7 MI-GE<br />
MILANO<br />
PAVIA<br />
LINATE<br />
w w w . c o m u n e . v i g e v a n o . p v . i t - V i g e v a n o v e r s o E x p o 2 0 1 5
Information<br />
For further information regarding the locations and how to rent the premises, write to:<br />
Gian Paolo Degli Agosti gdegliagosti@comune.vigevano.pv.it<br />
Grazia Guglielmo gguglielmo@comune.vigevano.pv.it<br />
For further tourist information contact:<br />
iat@comune.vigevano.pv.it | tel. 0381690269<br />
gognibene@comune.vigevano.pv.it | tel. 0381691636<br />
website: www.comune.vigevano.pv.it<br />
<strong>Vigevano</strong><br />
Ideal Town<br />
Publisher: © Comune di <strong>Vigevano</strong><br />
Graphic designer: Roberta Dondè<br />
Printer: Logos Media s.r.l. - Garlasco (Pv)<br />
December 2013<br />
For use of the pictures thanks to:<br />
D. Bassanini, V. Cantone, G. P. Degli Agosti,<br />
S. Facoetti, Studio Fassini, G. Gnemmi,<br />
J. Lattari, V. Li Vigni, M. Russo, F. Sacchiero,<br />
C. Vassalli.
Città di <strong>Vigevano</strong><br />
V e r s o E x p o 2 0 1 5<br />
<strong>Vigevano</strong><br />
Ideal Town<br />
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