What to do and see in Voghera, Lombardy: The Best Sacred & Religious Sites

The Cavalry Branch of the Italian army has its own chapel in the town of Voghera (in the Province of Pavia). This superb example of Romanesque art is located in an area of Lombardy south of the River Po, known as the Oltre Po Pavese. The walls inside the church are decorated with polychrome terracotta reliefs depicting the coats of arms of the Italian Cavalry School, the 30 regiments of the Cavalry when it was at its height, the Sardinian and 'Colonial' Squadrons, and those of the Italian Armoured Cavalry Division formed in the period following WWII. In recent years, the coats of arms of the Regiments of the Aviation Wing of the Army have been added. Even more recently, those of the Tank Regiments, special regiments which only became part of the Cavalry proper in 1999, have also been added. Also displayed in the chapel, and given equal dignity, are the coats of arms of the 'Voloire' Horse Artillery Regiment and Carabinieri Mounted Regiment. Various plaques inside the church explain why the Cavalry was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Military Order of Savoy and the Gold Medal for Military Valour. They remember those who belonged to the Cavalry who were decorated with the Gold Medal for Military Valour of the Military Order of Italy. Outside the church, and all around its perimeter, are the coats of arms of the places which housed--or still house-departments and local institutions of the Cavalry and the towns after which Cavalry regiments were named. Other ornaments confirm the unmistakable role of the old 'red church' as a place of worship dedicated to the Cavalry. The church houses the most significant and treasured memories of the Cavalry. It contains memorials to members of the Cavalry who died in battle and plaques recording the most important events in its history. The work of administering the church is done by the Priorate, whose job it is to organise ceremonies and events of various kinds, arrange cultural gatherings and prepare publications and other material to raise public awareness about the Italian Cavalry.