We visited the city dedicating our time not only to visiting the Sforza fortress, but also to the other three city jewels: the church of Santa Maria Assunta, the church of San Giacomo, the church of Santa Maria delle Grazie and a small walk through the streets of the village.
A place that absolutely deserves a careful visit.

We have divided the special into five parts, the first dedicated to a stone's throw from the city center, the other four to the four excellences mentioned.
It should be underlined that Soncino is rightly counted among the "most beautiful villages in Italy".

A bit of history:
Its origin is uncertain, although it is attributed to the Goths, who invaded the area following the disintegration of the Western Roman Empire (476 AD).
They probably settled on the hill overlooking the prehistoric and marshy Lake Gerundo to avoid frequent floods.
Between the 9th and 10th centuries various fortifications were born in northern Italy and in 1118 it was established as a Frankish village, passing from the influence of Bergamo to that of Cremona.
In the 13th century the ancient fortress was rearranged and the city walls were completely built in masonry.
From the early 1300s it enjoyed considerable independence, despite the fact that in 1311 Henry VII had invested Giovanni I, count of Forese, feudal lord of Soncino.
Between 1385 and 1454 it became the most important defense stronghold along the border line of the Oglio river between Milan and the Serenissima.
During the Sforza era, the city walls and the new fortress were rebuilt.
In the first half of the 16th century, with the arrival of the Spanish, the period of decline began.
Until the complete demilitarization, first carried out by the Austrians, then by Napoleon, brought about the end of its independent history.

For more info:
www.prolocosoncino.it/visit-soncino
wikipedia: Soncino
wikipedia: lago Gerundo
the church of San Giacomo - part 2
church of Santa Maria Assunta - 3
church of Santa Maria delle Grazie - 4
Sforza fortress - 5