Murta (Genova)

Murta is a village included in the city of Genoa in northwest Italy.

It is part of the district of Bolzaneto, in Valpolcevera municipality, of which is a separate hamlet, located on the ridge a hill at the right bank of the torrent Polcevera.

In the past most people were farmers (the most famous product was the Polcevera white wine, also produced today, although in limited quantity).

Today Murta is a residential area with many small villas built along the side of the hill.

The village name derives from the plant of myrtle, in Latin language just called "murta".

The first documents on the Parish of Murta dates from 1143, when it was included on the Register of Diocese of Genoa (wanted by Archbishop Siro II) as a chapel subject to the main church of Rivarolo.

In Murta was born Giovanni da Murta which was the second Doge of the Republic of Genoa from 1344 to 1350.

Like all Valpolcevera, in 1746 the village was involved in War of Austrian Succession and was occupied by an Austrian-Piedmontese army led by the General Botta Adorno, which came up to Genoa, from where was expelled after the popular revolt of December 5th, 1746, set up with the legendary episode of Balilla.

Another Austrian army returned the following year and this time the occupation, lasted from April 11 to July 19, 1747, had even more devastating effects. The Austrians had their headquarters in the Palace Bonarota (Villa Clorinda) and their troops devastated the entire village. All the church vestments and vessels were stolen and the church itself seriously damaged. Also many private houses were plundered and many of them also burnt-out. The local historian Luigi Persoglio wrote that 350 people died, some because of fighting against the invaders, but most for hardships and privations that people suffered in those tragic months.

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Wikipedia