Palestro: History, Churches and Rice-Growing Landscapes

Palestro is a place of remembrance for the 1859 battle; its churches and rice-growing landscape add to the town’s historical character. Visitors planning a stay will find different ways to explore: monuments provide context for the events, churches offer specific architectural details, and the surrounding area affords views of rice fields and waterbird habitats.

Memorial Sites Commemorating the 1859 Battle

The Battle of Palestro was fought on 30 and 31 May 1859 during the Second Italian War of Independence. The Ossario della Battaglia di Palestro was built in 1893 to a design by Milanese architect Giuseppe Sommaruga. It holds the remains of Piedmontese, French and Austrian soldiers who fell in battle. The building’s history and its commemorative purpose come together here.

The Monumento al Soldato also commemorates events of the Second Italian War of Independence; it was inaugurated on 31 May 1868. The Monumento al Bersagliere likewise commemorates events of the war. The memorial sites differ in their specific form: the ossuary focuses on the remains, while the two monuments commemorate the events of the war.

Churches and Building History

The Chiesa di San Giovanni Battista in Palestro was inaugurated on 24 June 1627. Its five-storey bell tower is made of brick and is topped by a storey with bifora windows. Bifora windows are openings divided into two sections. The inauguration date and the tower’s precise design offer two different ways to explore the church’s history and architecture.

The façade of the Chiesa Parrocchiale di San Martino di Tours displays the Gothic-Lombard style, with distinctive terracotta decorations. A religious building dedicated to San Martino di Tours is documented in Palestro for the year 1006. The churches thus bring together specific façade details and an early historical reference to the town’s religious history.

Landscape, Leisure and Pilgrimage

The Torre di Palestro stands on a natural terrace above the Sesia. A connection with an early medieval castrum is possible. Rice fields are part of the surrounding landscape, as are habitats for herons, egrets and many other waterbird species. The landscape offers a different perspective on Palestro, complementing visits to its buildings and memorial sites.

The Parco giochi has an equipped play area with activities for children of all ages. The Lombard section of the Via Francigena is also relevant for pilgrims: it can be travelled on foot, by bicycle or by train. In Palestro, the parish priest keeps the official stamp for the Via Francigena pilgrim credential. Confirm this information with the parish before your arrival.

Getting to Palestro

By car, you can reach Palestro via the A26 (Genova–Gravellona Toce), taking the Robbio exit and then the SP596 towards Palestro. The nearest railway station is in Robbio, on the Mortara–Vercelli line; from there, you will need to continue by road. Allow time for this road journey if travelling by train. As road and rail connections can change, check your travel arrangements in advance.

Discover more destinations: Val di Nizza, Ferrera Erbognone, Carmine, Cigognola, Settimo, San Zenone Al Po, Miradolo Terme, Vidigulfo

For the broader travel overview: Pavia.