Rocca Susella

Rocca Susella is a municipality belonging to the Oltrepò Pavese territory, made up of numerous small centres distributed on the slopes of the Ardivestra Valley (towards Godiasco), the Schizzola Valley (towards Casteggio) and the Rile Valley (towards Retorbido). In the early Middle Ages it was called Rocha de Axixellae and also Castrum Saxillae and then Rocha Saxillae, a name with Ligurian origins. In the Middle Ages there was a fiefdom of Rocca Susella subject to the bishops of Tortona: it was also a curia, i.e. minor justice was administered there. Towards the middle of the 15th century, Rocca Susella was part of the fief of Fortunago. In 1753, Gerolamo Gambarana became its sufeudal lord. There are numerous monuments to visit, including the Parish Church of San Pietro and the Castle, now a residential palace. Nearby, not to be missed is the Romanesque parish church of S. Zaccaria in the locality of Giarone, mentioned as early as 1198 and, in modern times, duly restored to its ancient splendour.