Discover Lodi Vecchio

Lodi Vecchio reveals itself through several layers of history: Laus Pompeia as a Roman municipium, archaeological remains, and buildings of religious and artistic significance. You can consider these topics as distinct areas of interest when planning your trip. The museum collection tells the story of the town, squares and streets preserve archaeological connections, and churches reveal further historical layers. A cycling and walking route also takes in both modern Lodi and historic Lodi Vecchio.

Laus Pompeia and archaeological remains

Lodi Vecchio corresponds to the Roman municipium of Laus Pompeia. A municipium was a Roman town community; the term places Lodi Vecchio within the history of Roman towns. The Museo Laus Pompeia presents the town’s history through inscriptions and other finds from 19th-century excavations, as well as decades of archaeological digs. The collection thus brings together a range of archaeological evidence without reducing the town’s history to a single find.

The archaeological site is located at Piazza Santa Maria, which is considered the probable site of the Roman forum. Partially visible remains of Lodi Vecchio’s Roman theatre can be seen along Via Giovanni XXIII. This brings together two distinct archaeological points of reference: a location identified with some uncertainty and visible architectural remains.

Basilica, frescoes and historic buildings

The Basilica dei XII Apostoli e di San Bassiano was consecrated in mid-November 387. Its central walls and vaults are decorated with frescoes attributed to the Maestro di San Bassiano. The consecration date and the attribution of the frescoes offer different points of interest: one places the building in its early history, while the other draws attention to the interior decoration.

An earlier church associated with the Basilica may have been the Basilica Apostolorum. The Basilica Apostolorum was built towards the end of the 4th century outside the walls of Laus Pompeia, along the Via Emilia. This possible identification connects the town’s church history with another reference to its Roman past.

The Ex Conventino stands on the remains of the Romanesque façade of the former Cathedral of Santa Maria. These two sacred sites have different points of interest: the Basilica is notable for its interior frescoes, while the Ex Conventino is associated with the remains of a Romanesque façade.

The museum building is also part of Lodi Vecchio’s architectural history. The Museo Laus Pompeia is housed in an 18th-century building that was used for a long time as a stable and hayloft and forms part of the rural complex of Corte Bassa. The museum’s archaeological focus thus meets the building’s former use within a rural complex.

By bike and on foot

A cycling and walking route is designed to explore both modern Lodi and historic Lodi Vecchio. One route starts at Lodi railway station and reaches Lodi Vecchio via a short turnoff from the SP115. The details offer different kinds of guidance for planning: the cycling and walking route takes in both aspects of the area, while the route information gives a specific starting point and road reference.

If you are looking for a hotel, these areas of interest can help structure your trip: archaeological evidence, churches and frescoes offer different ways to explore Lodi Vecchio’s history, while the cycling and walking route also takes in modern and historic Lodi.

Discover more destinations: Camairago, Zelo Buon Persico, Cornegliano Laudense, Corno Giovine, Mignete, Guardamiglio, Chiavicone, Casalpusterlengo

For the broader travel overview: Lodi.