History

Castelseprio-Torba and its Territory of pertinence formed one of the most important bulwarks for the control and the defence of the area which allowed access to Pavia, capital of the Longobard Kingdom, from the northern alpine passes, that is to say from the territories of the Franks and their allies.

The Castelseprio castrum, a civitas flavia during the Longobard era and seat of a gastaldo (a King’s steward), is an important example of the creation of groups of power of urban character and prerogatives in the rural territory.
A role which is also reflected in the promotion of architectures and works of value, as in the case of the Church of Santa Maria foris portas and its frescos, of the Monastery of Torba and of the other monuments of the castrum.