"Visit to Lombardy" Topic

I am thinking of going to the wargames show at Crema at the end of November – is it any good? Also I would like to combine it with visits of interest to the early sixteenth century wargamer. I have already thought of visiting the battlefield of Pavia. Are there any other of the local battlefields of this era which have not been built on? Also any military collections woth seeing. I will have a car.

Do take and post lots of pictures!

Although not early 16th C, in 1859 there were a number of battles between Piedmont-Sardinia/France and Austria. Just up the road from Pavia was the Battle of Magenta.

The Osprey book Solferino 1859 covers the various battles that took place during this campaign in Lombardy.

There is an old discussion about it: TMP link
Of course there are scores of other battlefields, beside XVI century, if you're interested!

Thanks for posting the old link magister. some useful stuff there.

There are numerous castles and battlefields to see. Museums for the Italian Wars period period are not very good. You will want to do some homework as you will need maps and guides. The local Governments do not do much to promote the battlefields and historical markers are nearly nonexistant. Fornovo is easy to get to and little changed. Using the Osprey books both Fornovo and Pavia are easy to follow. The park area of Pavia is built on. Agnadello is a good field to see as it is little changed but in the summer the crops make it harder to see the lay of the land. Inspite of these difficulties the battlefields are well worth exploring. They provided me with a new perspective regarding the role of weather and terrain in Renaissance warfare. Don't forget that along the way there are numerous Napoleonic War an Risorgimento sites. I will be happy to help you if you want to email me.

Hi sfumatoabacus, many thanks for your useful comments. How do I contact you ?

I read just now. There is plenty of battlefields in Lombardy. Of course being one of the most urbanized area of Europe of many battlefield only the name remains.
Just to name some battles (in loose order)
1) Agnadello 1509, just few miles from Crema
2) Lodi 15mins from Crema
3) Pavia 1525, 1 hour by car from Crema
4) Marignano (now Melegnano) 40mins by car from Crema
(Novara is just outside Lombardy, in case)
6) Soncino. Nice castle (XV cent) and place of several battles during the XIV cent. 20mins from Crema
7) Maclodio 1427 (Venetians vs Milanese) on the same way of Soncino towards Brescia were you can see the castle with the armoury (very good) and the museum of Risorgimento.
8) Going futher you can reach Solferino (1 hour and 20mins from Crema). The monumental tower is worth the visit (as well as the restaurant in front of it)
9) La Bicocca 1522 is now a suburb of Milan, nothing to see there, but in Milan you can see the castle and the Museum of Risorgimento.
10) Montebello (2 battles in 1800 and 1859). Actually the battle of '800 was foughin the near Casteggio (close to Pavia)
11) Magenta 1859
12) Bedriacum (now close to Calvatone), 2 battles, if you have an interest in Ronans link
13) Legnano. Lombard League defeats the Emperoro Redbeard

and there are hundreds of other medieval battles.

Ah, Crema was besieged by Redbeard and the siege lasted 9 months (was taken only due to a betray).
And another unkown battle was fought in Ombriano, now a suburb of Crema in XV century.

Lorenzo's show in Crema is a must for me every year. Set in the fantastic town of Crema we just go for the food, drink and great company. First year without BoltAction but still well worth going.

Paul

for an updated list of traders
link

Very worthy to see the Dadi e Piombo show in Crema. A lot of wargaming battlefields, friends and amusements. Additionally Crema is a nice small city. Come along, german friends.

Martius