Monticelli d’Ongina, renowned for the garlic production, is set inside a bend of the Po river.
In the town centre there is the Pallavicino Casali castle simply called “the fortress”.
Mentioned as counterwork since 1298, the Fortress was built in the present shape by Rolando Pallavicino in 1420.
Possessed by the Pallavicino family until 16th century, it was then inherited by the Casali family who held it until 20th century. It is now a parish property.
Today the cellars house the Ethnographic Museum of the Po, the Aquarium and the Museum of the peasant and handicraft civilisation.
The courtyard hosts the important garlic fair.

In the small chapel there is a remarkable cycle of frescoes ascribable to Bonifacio Bembo and commissioned by Carlo Pallavicino, bishop of Lodi. The noble rooms have frescoed ceilings and stuccoes on the walls dating back to 18th century.

In the last images also views of the town.

A sorrowful note:
We saw the Fortress only from the outside and it breaks our heart to see how our cultural heritage are neglected: even the most absent-minded observer can’t miss to ask himself how long it will stand, with its cracked walls completely scraped and the roof overgrown with weeds.
We hope that the frescoes and the decorations would be in better conditions.