Lodi is a small town in the Italian region Lombardy, located on the right Bank of the Adda river, the administrative center of the homonymous province.

Lodi was founded in ancient times the tribes of the Celts, and the Roman Empire was called, Laus Pompeia (perhaps in honor of the Consul of Pompey Strabo) and was an important settlement, because it stood at the intersection of a busy road and the river. In the 3rd century, the town became a bishopric, and its first Bishop, San Bassiano, today is the patron Saint of Lodi. Around the 10th century an independent commune Lodi rigidly repelled the attack of the Milanese troops, but a century later the city was destroyed by the same Milanese. Only in 1158, the year of Frederick Barbarossa Lodi was rebuilt, and the old town has remained within the area of Lodi Vecchio.

Since the 13th century the inhabitants of the city started to create a network of hydraulic structures – hundreds of miles of artificial canals and rivers, known as Consorzio di Mucca, was used to supply water to rural areas, which contributed to the transformation of some arid areas of very fertile farmland.

In the 14th century Lodi became part of the possessions of the family of Visconti, by whose order in the city castle was built. In 1454, the year here met representatives of all independent principalities and Duchies of the Apennine Peninsula and concluded a Treaty known as the peace Treaty of Lodi, about the unification of Italy. However, the agreement lasted only 40 years.

After Visconti in Lodi ruled by Sforza, then the French, Spaniards, Austrians, and in 1786, the year the city became the capital of the homonymous province. It was here in may 1796, the year the young Napoleon Bonaparte, who recently became the General who defeated the Austrians and began his military career.

In Lodi got plenty of monuments of history and architecture, which still attract tourists. Piazza della Vittoria, from all sides framed by porticos, is one of the most beautiful squares in Italy. Here are the Basilica of the virgin Assunta and City Hall Broletto. And Piazza Broletto remarkable baptismal font of the 14th century, made of Verona marble. Interesting Church Lodi – the Beata Vergine of Incoronata, San Francesco, San Lorenzo frescoes Callisto Piazza, Santa Maria Maddalena is the finest example of Baroque architecture in the city, Sant Agnese in Lombard Gothic style, San Filippo Neri in the Rococo style, of San Cristoforo. Preserved secular buildings – medieval Palazzo Vescovile, rebuilt in the 18th century, partially destroyed Torrione castle and Palazzo Mozzanica the 15th century.