Considering a place where rivers meet and history whispers. That place is Travacò Siccomario. It is a municipality in the Province of Pavia in Lombardy. Travacò Siccomario sits about 35 km south of Milan. It is also about 4 km southeast of Pavia. The village nestles near the confluence of the Po and Ticino rivers.
Travacò Siccomario borders several municipalities. These include Cava Manara and Linarolo. Also Mezzanino, Pavia, and Rea. San Martino Siccomario, Valle Salimbene, and Verrua Po also border it.
Travacò Siccomario has a rich past. In 1014, Emperor Henry II granted Travacò to the monastery of San Felice. The area was part of the Siccomario. It was an administrative unit of the Pavian dominion. The Rotta canal divided it from the rest. This ancient branch of the Po created a vast island.
Over time, Travacò Siccomario saw changes. Small communities merged. By 1818, only two municipalities remained. These were Mezzano Siccomario and Santa Maria della Strada. Santa Maria della Strada included Santa Maria Travacò. It also had Cascina Lebba in Travacò, Predemasco, and Costa Caroliana.
In 1863, the comune took the name Travacò Siccomario. Then in 1872, Mezzano Siccomario was united with Travacò. Today, Travacò Siccomario is part of the Parco Lombardo della Valle del Ticino.
Travacò Siccomario has several points of interest. The parish church is dedicated to the Nativity of the Virgin Mary. Its construction dates back to the 13th century. It represents the late Romanesque style of Pavia. Inside, a fresco attributed to Vincenzo Foppa’s school is remarkable. It depicts the Madonna enthroned with angels.
The Santuario di Santa Maria del Novello also stands nearby. It is located near the Po River. Tradition says it protects against floods. The Bonacossa family built it in the late 1500s. Inside, you can see the original fresco of the ancient chapel.
The Colombarone di Mezzano offers a glimpse into the past. Here you can admire the remains of the Castrum Mezzani. The Beccaria family built this fortified residence in the 15th century.
Another interesting building is the Dogana Austriaca. During the Austrian Empire, it served as a customs house. Pavia was under Austrian rule. Siccomario remained under Piedmontese rule. The building retains the effigies of the Austrian Empire and Lombardy-Venetia.
Cascina San Maiolo is the most important and ancient farmhouse in Siccomario. Documents show that it existed before the year 1000. It was a small monastery run by the Cluniac monks.
Travacò Siccomario is twinned with Camaret-sur-Aigues in France. Since October 2015, Travacò Siccomario has been part of Cittaslow. It is a movement promoting quality of life in towns.
The emblem of Travacò Siccomario features a blue band on a silver field. It is accompanied by three six-pointed stars. At the bottom is an uprooted green tree. The banner is divided into white and blue.
Travacò Siccomario offers a journey through time. It shows the beauty of Lombardy. Its rich history and culture await discovery. Let us explore further.