Ottobiano between motorsport and local history

Ottobiano combines a strong motorsport profile with a rich local history. This offers different themes to consider when choosing a destination: an international circuit for motocross, motard and karting, as well as evidence of church architecture, archaeology and written records. Its history spans Celtic-Roman settlement, the motorsport history of the 20th century and a specific event in 2017. If you are considering a stay, you can get to know Ottobiano through both its sporting history and the older traces of the settlement.

Motorsport and circuit history

South Milano Karting is an international circuit in Ottobiano for motocross, motard and karting. It was founded in 1999 with a single asphalt track. These three disciplines provide a concrete context for the town’s connection to motorsport. The Motocross World Championship was also held at the circuit in 2017. The founding year and the World Championship mark different milestones: one describes the beginning of the facility, while the other is a dated event in its history.

San Michele Arcangelo

The parish of San Michele Arcangelo is located at Via San Michele 1, 27030 Ottobiano (PV). The church was rebuilt from the ground up starting in 1747 and completed in 1772. It contains five altars: the main altar, and the altars of Suffragio, Carmine, Saint Joseph and the Cross. At 55 metres tall, the bell tower is considered one of the highest in Lomellina.

Archaeological traces

The archaeological evidence goes back to much earlier periods. Ottobiano’s most important Celtic-Roman settlement was located on what is now Dosso delle scuole, a hill that was originally larger and higher and stood protected from flooding by the nearby Torrente Erbognone. The Rotorta necropolis comprises around 40 burials and is dated to the period from 50 BC to around 100 AD. The Valpersa coin hoard consisted of around 450 coins and dates from the 3rd century AD.

Castle and written records

The castle can also be understood through records from different periods. Its existence is documented in a feudal sale deed from 1481. Notarial documents from the first half of the 16th century describe the castle, known as “castrum Vitabiani”, as well preserved at the time. They mention a drawbridge, a moat and adjoining buildings. While the sale deed provides earlier evidence of the castle, the later documents offer a more concrete picture of it and its architectural features.

Via delle Gallie and other buildings

Near Ottobiano, the Via delle Gallie runs south of the Volpina and Bonaparte farmsteads. At low water, the remains of the piers of a former bridge emerge along the route near the locks on Torrente Erbognone in the hamlet of Travacchino Busca. The architectural heritage also includes the conversion of the Vitale cemetery chapel in 1928–1929, attributed to Piero Bottoni as work 16.

Discover more destinations: Valverde, Montecalvo Versiggia, Pieve Porto Morone, Borgarello, Robbio, Sant'alessio Con Vialone, Zerbolò, Varzi

For the overview of the wider area: Pavia.