Discover Robbio

Robbio offers several concrete starting points for planning your trip: churches from different periods, the Palio dl'Urmon and sections of the Via Francigena. Castello di Robbio was built in the 14th century. You can choose what to focus on based on architectural history, an event or a particular stage. The sights and routes offer different points of interest—from frescoes and medieval architecture to named start and end points.

Churches and Castello di Robbio

Chiesa di San Valeriano belonged to an old Cluniac priory dating from the 11th century. Chiesa di Santo Stefano has a different historical connection: it was consecrated in September 1795 and built on the remains of an older parish church. The two churches can therefore be distinguished by different historical references: San Valeriano by its former connection to the priory, and Santo Stefano by its consecration and predecessor building.

Chiesa di San Sebastiano stands on the southeastern edge of Robbio, within the Cascina of the same name on the ancient Via Francigena. Inside, it preserves frescoes depicting the miracles and final stages of Saint Sebastian’s life. Its location, connection to the route and subjects of the frescoes give this church a distinct focus among Robbio’s sacred sites.

Castello di Robbio was built in the 14th century. It has a quadrangular floor plan with an open courtyard and a tower called Torre Sanner. Unlike the churches, whose historical connections are shaped by a priory, consecration and frescoes, the focus here is on the construction date, floor plan and tower.

Palio dl'Urmon and local cuisine

The Palio dl'Urmon was established in 1985 and is held every year in late summer as a competition between Robbio’s eight historic districts. Each district prepares large quantities of Paniscia made with Carnaroli rice, Salame, pork lard, garden vegetables and Barbera wine, and serves it with Cotechino. The festival thus combines the districts’ competition with a specific local food tradition. If you want to plan your trip around the Palio, check the dates for the relevant year.

Via Francigena and other waypoints

The Itinerario delle Torri begins and ends in Parco della Chiesa di San Pietro in Robbio and passes through the historic towns of Robbio, Rosasco and Palestro. On the Via Francigena section from Vercelli to Robbio, the route first follows narrow embankments between flooded fields; the final stretches into Robbio follow a quiet provincial road. These two routes therefore have different main points of reference: for the Itinerario delle Torri, the park and sequence of towns; for the section to Robbio, the route’s surroundings.

The Via Francigena stage from Robbio to Mortara begins at Chiesa di San Pietro and ends at Mortara railway station. When navigating, note the difference: the Itinerario delle Torri lists its start and end points as Parco della Chiesa di San Pietro, while the church itself is the starting point for the stage to Mortara. Check current route conditions before setting out.

Robbio railway station, on the Pavia–Vercelli railway line, is a reference point for getting here. Check current train connections before travelling.

Discover more destinations: Montescano, Torre Beretti, Badia Pavese, Settimo, Mortara, Ponte Nizza, Rivoltella, Montù Beccaria

For the wider travel overview: Pavia.