The Lodigiano

Over the centuries, the waters of two rivers that act almost as natural borders to the Lodigiano, the Adda to the east and the Po to the south, have been important resources  for the area’s survival.

Seven Lodigiano towns stand on the Po, which flows through a fascinating natural landscape, especially in proximity to the three river docks, that of Corte S. Andrea, the 39th stage of the Via Francigena, and those at Gargatano and Morti de la Porchera.  The scenery along the Adda, which crosses Lodi, the province’s main town, consists of wooded areas, wetlands and river beaches. In 1983,  in order to preserve the natural environment, the Lombardy Region instituted the Adda Sud Park, which  has the task of protecting the waterway across the entire area. Navigating the Adda and Po rivers provides views of scenery of rare natural beauty along a winding route overlooked by rich and varied vegetation. Motorboats operate a river cruise service that offers tourists every amenity.

The main features of the landscape are the waterways, both natural and man-made. Of particular significance among the latter is the Muzza canal, the mainstay of the area’s entire irrigation system and the result of the need for continual irrigation of the fields, since their subsoil consists mainly of gravel and sand.

The Lodigiano area also abounds with history, art and culture. Its artistic heritage is visible in all its splendour on every corner of Lodi and in the surrounding towns. Waiting to be discovered by visitors are churches, abbeys, castles, villas and palazzos holding a wealth of testimony to the past. Art collections and museums also contain an extraordinary artistic heritage of paintings, sculptures and traditional agricultural objects.    

The harmony of its mostly flat landscape means the Lodigiano can be considered a sort of model for so-called “slow tourism”, due also to is accessibility both in terms of forms of transport – road, rail and boat – and its direct and immediate connections with the cycle route networks in surrounding provinces.  

Lodigiano’s network of cycle routes covers more than 500 kilometres, making it the ideal destination for those who want to cycle with ease.

Finally, visitors will be delighted by traditional Lodi food and wine, by nature wholesome, simple and flavourful and based on the best “the fertile soil of Lodi” has to offer. Uncomplicated  local dishes are made almost noble by three main ingredients that are the pride of the area – butter, cheese and charcuterie. All in all, the cuisine, rich in dishes made by masterfully processing the products found on the farm, mirrors the agricultural vocation of this land.