Alessandria

Alessandria is a strongly fortified and impressive town and capital of the Province of Alessandria. The city is sited on the river Tanaro, in Piedmont, Italy, 55 miles southeast of Turin. Its commune has an area of about 143.2 sq. km and a 2001 population of 92,201 inhabitants. The province (total population of 418,231) lies in the southeastern Piedmont, half on the northern slope of the Apennines and half on the Po plain; its area is 3,560 sq. km and its 2001 population is 414,384.

History

Alessandria was founded in 1168 upon a preexisting urban nucleus, to serve as a fortress stronghold for the Lombard League, defending the traditional liberties of the communes of northern Italy against the Imperial forces of Frederick Barbarossa. It stood in the territories of the marchese of Monferrato, a staunch ally of the Emperor, with a name assumed in 1168 to honor the Emperor's opponent, Pope Alexander III. In 1174 – 75 the fortress was sorely tested by Imperial siege and stood fast. It was granted a charter as a free commune in 1198, but entered into jealous conflicts with the older communes of the region, in particular with Asti.

Related Topics:
Lombard League - Communes - Frederick Barbarossa - Monferrato - Pope Alexander III - Asti

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In 1348 Alessandria fell into the hands of the Visconti and passed with their possessions to the Sforza, following the career of Milan, until 1707, when it was ceded to the House of Savoy and henceforth formed part of Piedmont.

Related Topics:
Visconti - Sforza - Milan - House of Savoy - Piedmont

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With Napoleon's success at the Battle of Marengo (1800), it fell to France and became the capital of the Napoleonic Département of Marengo. From 1814 Alessandria was Savoia territory once more, part of the Kingdom of Sardinia.

Related Topics:
Battle of Marengo (1800) - Département of Marengo - Kingdom of Sardinia

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During the years of the Risorgimento, Alessandria was an active center of the liberals.

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In a suburb, Spinetta Marengo, the Battle of Marengo is reenacted annually, on the 14th of June.

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Alessandria was the first capital of an Italian province to be governed by a Socialist: the clockmaker Paolo Sacco was elected sindaco. July 25, 1899.

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Alessandria was a tactical military target during World War II and was subjected to intense Allied bombing, the most serious being the raids of April 30, 1944, with 238 dead and hundreds wounded, and April 5, 1945, with 160 deaths, among them 60 children from the children's asylum in Via Gagliaudo (when the town had already been freed by the partisans).

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On November 6, 1994 the Tanaro flooded a good part of the city, causing major damage, especially in the Orti quarter.

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