Garlasco, Italian comune
Garlasco is a small commune in the province of Pavia in Lombardy. Located in the flat Lomellina region near the left bank of the Terdoppio stream, it encompasses 18 smaller neighborhoods and villages. The center displays a mix of architectural styles: a castle from the 14th to 15th centuries with its original tower, the Martinetti Theater from around 1830 featuring boxes similar to Milan's famous Scala, and religious buildings like the Sanctuary of Madonna della Bozzola with its distinctive octagonal dome.
The commune may have been founded before Roman times, possibly by Celtic or Gallic peoples, with earliest written records appearing in the 10th century. By the 13th century it fell under control of Milanese families, later under the Kingdom of Piedmont-Sardinia, until after Austrian withdrawal it returned to Pavia territory.
The name Garlasco traces back to different origins: some connect it to Latin words, while others link it to ancient Celtic-Germanic languages. The town remains deeply tied to its agricultural roots, especially rice farming that has shaped daily work and community rhythms since the 1800s.
The town is easy to reach by car and has basic shops and services available. Walking through the quiet streets offers the best way to explore and appreciate the old buildings and rural surroundings at a leisurely pace.
A shrine in the tiny hamlet of Cascina Cabassa with just about 15 residents draws pilgrims year-round to visit a spring long revered as miraculous by local believers. This hidden corner reveals deep religious devotion that extends far beyond the settlement's small size.
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