• Villages
    • Art & Culture
    • Religious Tourism

Mortara

Mortara has earned the title of the homeland of the world's finest "Salame d’Oca" over the decades.

Where
Mortara (PV)
Contacts
+390384256411
Official site

Mortara town is famous for its many churches and basilicas of which the most historically important is the 8th century Abbazia di Sant'Albino on the Via Francigena, Today the church, with fifteenth century frescoes and an elegant Renaissance portal, a Romanesque-Gothic belltower, the remains of a cloister with a stone loggia and wooden lintels is all that is left of the abbey together with a number of now dilapidated agricultural buildings linked to the historic monastery.

Mortara is the second-largest city in Lomellina after Vigevano. It was involved in a famous historical event during the medieval era: on October 12, 773 AD, the Franks, led by Charlemagne, clashed in these very fields in a bloody battle against the Lombards, commanded by King Desiderius.

It is possible that the town's name originates from the aftermath of that fierce battle: Mortis Ara, later transformed over the centuries into Mortara, means "altar of death" in Latin. The Franks emerged as the undisputed victors and buried their fallen soldiers near the Abbey of St. Albino.

Today, Mortara is known for its prominent role in agriculture and industry, but a visit to the city in September offers a chance to experience grand historical parades that bring its past to life. At the end of every summer, Mortara hosts the Sagra del Salame d’Oca, a unique event where visitors can savor this traditional delicacy while enjoying street performances and dances. During the festival, the city’s seven contrade (districts) stage an unmissable "living game of the goose," where teams progress on a giant board based on their archery skills.


Other links

La Sagra del Salame d’oca di Mortara
Take me here: Mortara

See also

Sagra del Salame d’Oca and Palio di Mortara

Mortara PV
27/09/2024 - 29/09/2024
  • Food & Wine
Sagra del Salame d’Oca and Palio di Mortara

The Via Francigena

Cultural Route of the Council of Europe
  • Religious Tourism
The Via Francigena

Castles and Rice Paddies

A tour of Castles and Rice Paddies in search of a land of exquisite beauty
  • Active & Green
Castles and Rice Paddies

Salame d’Oca Ecumenico

The Salame d’Oca di Mortara IGP is an outstanding product of Lomellina’s gastronomic tradition.
  • Food & Wine
Salame d’Oca Ecumenico

Places

Basilica of San Lorenzo - Mortara

  • Art & Culture
Basilica of San Lorenzo - Mortara
58 mt

Santa Croce abbey - Mortara

The Santa Croce abbey was instead the church of Ordine Mortariense
  • Religious Tourism
Santa Croce abbey - Mortara
73 mt

Abbazia di Sant'Albino

Abbey of Saint Albino (VIII century) on the Via Francigena
  • Religious Tourism
Abbazia di Sant'Albino
1.33 km

Sanctuary of Madonna del Campo - Mortara

  • Religious Tourism
Sanctuary of Madonna del Campo - Mortara
2.31 km

Parona

  • Villages
Parona
3.19 km

Isimbardi Castle

In the heart of Lomellina, a castle to experience in Castello d'Agogna
  • Art & Culture
CASTELLO ISIMBARDI
4.28 km

Castello D'agogna

  • Villages
Castello D'agogna
4.37 km

Olevano di Lomellina

  • Villages
Olevano di Lomellina
4.56 km

Museum of Art and Rural Traditions of Olevano di Lomellina

  • Art & Culture
Museum of Art and Rural Traditions of Olevano di Lomellina
4.59 km

Nicorvo

  • Villages
Di Alessandro Vecchi
6.61 km

Gravellona Lomellina

Town of Art, Nature, and Imagination
  • Villages
Gravellona Lomellina
8.82 km

Three Lakes Park of Gravellona Lomellina

  • Parks
Three Lakes Park of Gravellona Lomellina
9.3 km

Lomellina Archaeological Museum

A dive into the ancient civilizations of Lomellina in Gambolò
  • Art & Culture
Lomellina Archaeological Museum
9.41 km

Gambolo'

  • Villages
Gambolo'
9.57 km

Pieve di Velezzo Lomellina

One of the oldest monuments in Lomellina
  • Art & Culture
Pieve di Velezzo Lomellina
10.48 km

Parco Naturale Valpometto

Un polmone di verde tra le risaie
  • Active & Green
Parco Naturale Valpometto
10.64 km

Celpenchio Heronry

A day immersed in nature in the heart of Lomellina
  • Active & Green
Celpenchio Heronry
11.24 km

Ottobiano Motorsport

Fun for every taste and driver
  • Lifestyle
Ottobiano Motorsport
11.5 km

Tromello

Along the right bank of the Terdoppio stream, on the road connecting Pavia to Mortara, is the first stop of the Via Francigena.
  • Villages
Tromello
11.52 km

National Archaeological Museum of Lomellina

  • Art & Culture
National Archaeological Museum of Lomellina
11.65 km

Where to sleep

DELLA TORRE

Mortara
DELLA TORRE
82 mt

FORESTERIA LOMBARDA RE ARTU' DI LA FERRERA SALVATORE

Mortara
FORESTERIA LOMBARDA RE ARTU' DI LA FERRERA SALVATORE
114 mt

B&B Lomellina

Mortara
B&B Lomellina
308 mt

ALBERGO SAN MICHELE

Mortara
ALBERGO SAN MICHELE
362 mt

ALBERGO BOTTALA OSTERIA IL CUUC

Mortara
ALBERGO BOTTALA OSTERIA IL CUUC
404 mt

LOCANDA TRENTO

Mortara
LOCANDA TRENTO
468 mt

B&B BRIGITTE

Mortara
B&B BRIGITTE
674 mt

ANTICA CORTE LOMBARDA

Mortara
ANTICA CORTE LOMBARDA
782 mt

NEW POLO

Mortara
NEW POLO
1.76 km

IL PIOPPO E LA FONTE

Castello d'Agogna
IL PIOPPO E LA FONTE
4.34 km

Agr. Manzini

Mortara
Agr. Manzini
4.4 km

LA CASTELLANA DIPENDENZA

Castello d'Agogna
LA CASTELLANA DIPENDENZA
4.44 km

LA CASTELLANA

Castello d'Agogna
LA CASTELLANA
4.69 km

HOTEL SARATOGA

Vigevano
HOTEL SARATOGA
6.6 km

Agr. Cascina Bosco

Nicorvo
Agr. Cascina Bosco
7.9 km

CASA SCARANO

Vigevano
CASA SCARANO
9.09 km

FORESTERIA LOMBARDA CASA SCARANO DI SCARANO RENATO

Vigevano
FORESTERIA LOMBARDA CASA SCARANO DI SCARANO RENATO
9.09 km

B&B DAL GIOTU

Gravellona Lomellina
B&B DAL GIOTU
9.13 km

COTTAGE VIGEVANO

Vigevano
COTTAGE VIGEVANO
9.26 km

FLU DI LORENA CESARE

San Giorgio di Lomellina
FLU DI LORENA CESARE
9.36 km