MONTECALVO VERSIGGIA
Montecalvo Versiggia is a town in the Province of Pavia, in Lombardy. It is located in the hilly area of the Oltrepò Pavese, in the valley of the river Versa, from which it takes its name, and in which it meets the small stream Versiggia.
The municipal seat is in Crocetta, at the foot of the castle of Montecalvo that stands on top of a hill.
The history of the country, until the end of the eighteenth century, is closely connected with that of the castle and its many feudal lords. Today the castle looks like a mansion.
HISTORY
Montecalvo is between the towns, probably corresponding to the local lords having a castle, mentioned in 1164 in the document with which Federico I conceded to the city of Pavia the domination the Oltrepò Pavese.
Montecalvo was part of the feud of Val Versa but, in 1412, the fief was dismembered by Filippo Maria Visconti, Duke of Milan, and sold to Rinaldo Beccaria; thus remaining in the hands of the family Beccaria to the death of all his heir.
Under the family Beccaria, the County Montecalvo also included Golferenzo, Volpara and Rocca de' Giorgi. With the end of the dynasty of Beccaria in 1629, the feud of Montecalvo was sold to Dal Pozzo family, who also purchased the nearby fief of Soriasco (Santa Maria della Versa).
In economic difficulties, the Dal Pozzo were forced to dismember their feuds: Montecalvo in 1691 with Golferenzo and Volpara (without Rocca de 'Giorgi) was sold to Belcredi family that, in 1701, became the Marquis of Montecalvo. To them the feud remained until the end of feudalism (1797).
Montecalvo Versiggia owned a castle that Milan and Piacenza, because of clashes between Guelphs and Ghibellines, destroyed between 1214 and 1216; The castle was later rebuilt thanks to the collaboration between Voghera and Pavia.
Today, what remains of the castle is a private residence, still retaining some medieval traces.
WINE AND VINEYARDS
The wine-growing region in the south of Pavia begins immediately after the river Po: the fields of the plains give way to the hill and to its different vineyards that we can find there: Pinot, Riesling, Moscato, Barbera, croatina, Malvasia, etc.
The most important variety for the area is certainly that one of Pinot, vine imported from France more than a century ago, and it has found in Oltrepò an ideal environment adapting perfectly to the hills, where it is now cultivated on an area of over 2000 hectares.
This vine is present in Oltrepò in its three grape varieties black, pink or white; producing noir, blanc and rosé Pinot.
Pinot Noir is the most valuable and most cultivated in Oltrepò, boasting an exceptional record at international level: is the first area in the world, after the Champagne, for the production of Pinot Noir. And Montecalvo Versiggia boasts its “personal” bes: with its 30,000 tons it’s in first place among the municipalities that produce Pinot Wine in Oltrepò Pavese area.
MUSEUM OF CORKSCREW
"Pull out caps" does not simply mean "uncork", is not only the gesture needed to "open a bottle". Just have a little of familiarity with the wine, just know how to appreciate the pleasures of food and life, to understand that we are talking about something very much like a ritual; action exact and meticulous; an art. We "pull out caps" to free the joy of living.
They know something the residents of Montecalvo Versiggia, in Valle Versa, the center of the "land of Pinot Noir" ... Men and winemakers who make wine always and bottle it and they know it drink.
So, the City of Montecalvo has decided to enhance its history and its heritage.
Opened in 2006, the Corkscrew Museum, is the first in Italy to be opened and prepared not by an individual, but by a public entity, the Municipality of Montecalvo Versiggia, which, for the occasion, has renovated a part of the old rectory of the Church of St. Alexander.
The museum has also more than 200 different pieces, covering a time span of about 300 years.
In the unusual corkscrew collection we can find all sorts: a single or two lever, handle with throttle, bell, pantograph, a small temple, etc.
The museum knows satisfy any curiosity about the history and art of the corkscrew, but also satisfy the sight thanks to its panoramic terrace.
For the text was consulted the volume: Passione collezionismo, CAVATAPPI, by Fredérique Crestin-Billet (Fabbri Editori)
CONTACT MUSEUM
Church Square
(Churchyard of the Church of St. Alexander)
Montecalvo Versiggia (PV)
Tel. +39 0385 951 008 / +39 99 712 0385
E-mail: protocollo@comune.montecalvo.pv.it
https://www.comune.montecalvo.pv.it/ComGuidaTuristica.asp
MUSEUM OPENING HOURS
Every Sunday from June to September from 15.00 to 18.00.
The rest of the year by reservation only.
TICKETS
Full 3 €
Students, children under 14 and over 65 free admission
Structure is wheelchair accessible only for the groundfloor.
Guided tours by appointment.
AROUND
Parish of Our Lady of the Grape
The Parish of Our Lady of Grapes was built in the twelfth century on a small hill, not far from the village of Montecalvo Versiggia, along the road that joins Crocetta to Colombato, and was originally dedicated to St. Alexander.
In the seventeenth century it was used as a burial place of the family of Beccaria.
In the second half of the nineteenth century, with the increase of wine production and the local economy, the family Pisani Dossi, who at the time owned the Castle, decided to commission and place there a painting of the Madonna of the grape. The work was later stolen and replaced with the present fresco.
Every year, at the Church, we celebrate a big party at the end of the harvest.
USEFUL LINKS
https://www.comune.montecalvo.pv.it/ComGuidaTuristica.asp
https://www.oltrepowinefestival.it/
https://www.provincia.pv.it/turismo
https://itineraripavia.hapax.it