"To relive the past with pleasure is to live twice." – Martial –
With this quote from Martial we open our article offering you a new idea for a day trip
out of town.
You might wonder why we chose this phrase, and the answer is very simple.
We will talk about Soncino, a small village located in the province of Cremona: a little town where cobblestones and narrow streets allow visitors a true dive into the past.
The history of Soncino, which has been listed among Italy's most beautiful villages, begins in prehistoric times, though only a few artifacts remain from that era.
Its greatest splendor was reached in the Middle Ages, particularly during the Visconti era, when it was the most important defensive stronghold along the Oglio River border between Milan and Venice.
Its convenient location, just 35 kilometers from Brescia and 60 kilometers from Milan, makes it an ideal destination for day trips in Lombardy, as it is easily accessible by car, train, and bus.
Crossing the bridge over the Oglio River, you enter a village that transports visitors into a captivating past, completely removed from the city, hectic life, and stress.
At this point, there's nothing left to do but explore the beauties of this open-air museum, where various historical periods have left their mark.
The Rocca is one of the monuments that best represents Soncino's history and definitely deserves a visit.
Its origins date back to the 10th century, but during the 1300s, the people of Cremona and Milan turned it into a true stronghold against Venice. It is one of the best-preserved examples of military architecture in Lombardy and visiting inside is nothing short of thrilling.
This is because it is enclosed by walls and four red towers that truly give the impression of a structure from the past.
The film Ladyhawkewas filmed right here, telling the impossible love story between Etienne Navarre and Isabeau D’Anjou, she condemned to be a hawk by day and he a wolf by night.
From the Rocca, you can admire a beautiful panorama, featuring the current Silk Museum, a building that was once the Filanda Meloni.
It is a very beautiful structure, lovingly and dedicatedly restored by Enzo Corbani, turning it into a true gem.
Inside the museum, you can view audio and video materials that allow you to relive the entire cycle of silk production and processing, a traditional activity in this area.
The Printers' House is a very special stop on a visit to Soncino: here, in 1488, the first complete Hebrew Bible including all accents and vowels was printed.
The village preserves many other monuments to visit, churches, and works to discover.
It also hides a maze of underground walkways, and the walk along the walls is undoubtedly atmospheric. It's just a matter of deciding what you want to discover and venturing into the past.
Who among you has already visited one of Italy's most beautiful villages??