Voghera between history, museums and the Greenway

History, art and distinctive buildings

The historic centre of Voghera is characterised by historically significant buildings such as churches and palaces. The Visconti Castle makes a striking impression: it was built from 1372 onwards on the orders of Galeazzo Visconti II. Fragments of frescoes depicting muses, attributed to Bartolomeo Suardi, known as Bramantino, have been preserved in the square hall of the east wing. The Duomo was built from May 1605 onwards on the ruins of an older church. It houses a Serassi organ dating from 1833 and a fresco of the Madonna del Soccorso dating from 1496, attributed to Andrino di Edesia.

Museums offering different perspectives

The Museo Storico Giuseppe Beccari covers military history from the Napoleonic era to the present day. On display are Italian and foreign military uniforms, as well as hundreds of firearms and bladed weapons. The archive contains letters from soldiers and officers at the front, diaries, memoirs by war participants, and thousands of military and civilian postcards. The Civico Museo di Scienze Naturali takes a different thematic approach, with departments dedicated to zoology, palaeontology, mineralogy and botany.

Theatre and palace architecture

The Teatro Valentino Garavani is also part of Voghera’s architectural profile. It was built between 1842 and 1845 under the direction of Gioacchino Dell’Isola del Borghetto. The theatre seats more than 400 spectators and has 62 boxes on three tiers. Several rooms in the Palazzo Gallini feature ceiling frescoes in the typical 19th-century style; the painting collection also includes an original work by Guercino. To access Palazzo Gallini, visitors should contact the cultural office or ring the bell.

Greenway and orientation for active days

The Voghera–Varzi Greenway connects the two largest centres of western Oltrepò and runs through the entire valley of the Torrente Staffora. The flat section of the Voghera–Varzi Greenway runs from Voghera to Salice Terme. The starting point is near Voghera railway station.

Peperone di Voghera and local events

Peperone di Voghera is a local variety with an intense fragrance and a sweet, mild flavour. In regional cuisine, it is used for bagnetti served with mixed boiled meats, risotto dishes and peperonata. Since 2024, Peperone di Voghera has been a Slow Food Presidium. The VI Sagra del Peperone di Voghera has been announced as an event celebrating the typical Peperone di Voghera and the local production chain. The Fiera dell’Ascensione is also considered the oldest fair in Lombardy; its 642nd edition had been announced.

Photography and family experiences

The seventh edition of Voghera Fotografia will take place from 12 September 2026 to 27 September 2026 at the Visconti Castle. The Camera Obscura of Voghera Fotografia is housed in the tower of the Visconti Castle. For families, Cowboyland complements the offering with attractions, live shows and animals.

More destinations

Val di Nizza, Montebello Della Battaglia, Certosa Di Pavia, Ferrera Erbognone, San Genesio Ed Uniti, Varzi, Badia Pavese, Castello D'agogna

To the main travel overview: Pavia.