Sannazzaro De' Burgondi among rice fields and cultural heritage

Sannazzaro De' Burgondi combines the floodplain terrace formed by the Po with churches, palazzi and local festivals. The municipal area is characterized by rice fields. The townscape includes the parish church Chiesa Parrocchiale dei Santi Nazzaro e Celso, the Santuario Madonna della Fontana and Palazzo Pollone.

Landscape between the Po and the Wetland

A short path leads through dense vegetation to an area overlooking the Parchetto dell'Agognetta wetland. The Lanca di Balossa features natural willow stands and abundant fish stocks. Below the railway bridge, Grande Isola is designated as a place for nature and wildlife photography.

Churches and Baroque Architecture

The parish church Chiesa Parrocchiale dei Santi Nazzaro e Celso dates from the 15th or 16th century and was remodeled in the Baroque style in the 17th and 18th centuries. Inside are two 15th-century gilded wooden statues depicting the patron saints. Construction of the Santuario Madonna della Fontana began in 1710 and was completed in 1786. The single-nave sanctuary is decorated with four 18th-century altarpieces and lively frescoes. The Chiesa Santi Bernardino e Rocco also houses a Lingiardi organ.

Palazzi, Il Portone and Local History

Palazzo Pollone is a Baroque palazzo-giardino and is inspired by the forms of Piedmontese Barocchetto. The ceremonial hall contains wall paintings by the Piedmontese painter Vittorio Cavalleri. Palazzo Malaspina, the so-called “castello” of Sannazzaro De' Burgondi, presumably acquired its present appearance through a renovation carried out in the final decades of the 18th century by Marchese Luigi. Il Portone is a monumental archway built at the town entrance in 1724. In 1724, Il Portone was connected by a splendid avenue lined with trees.

Library and Museum in Palazzo Fugazza

The listed Palazzo Fugazza houses a library, a museum and the Croce d'Oro. The Biblioteca Civica Carlo Tacconi is a primary library and offers rooms for consultation and study. The museum is accessed via the courtyard and a reinforced-concrete spiral staircase; the library is reached via a straight flight of stairs with stone steps.

Risotto, Markets and Festivals

The local cuisine is represented by Risotto alla Sannazzarese: its at least two basic ingredients include Pasta di salame d'oca, a paste made from goose salami, and the typical Burgundella cheese. The Sagra del Riso is a recurring festival; the 2026 edition is number 45. It includes a market and exhibition showcasing agricultural mechanization and grain products, a food and gastronomy exhibition, and the “Chicco d'oro” competition. At the Sagra del Riso, risotti with saffron, porcini mushrooms, champagne, pumpkin and sausage meat are offered.

Cycle Path and Carnival

The Sannazzaro-Scaldasole cycle path connects Sannazzaro De' Burgondi and Scaldasole and is more than one kilometer long. The Carnevale Burgundo takes place on the last Sunday of the Carnival season. The Burgundo is a traditional folk mask that still enlivens the local Carnival today.

More places for planning your trip to Italy: Brallo Di Pregola, San Martino Siccomario, Zinasco Vecchio, Moriano, San Zenone Al Po, Ceranova, Castello D'agogna and Carmine.

Back to the higher-level travel overview: Pavia.