*** Welcome to piglix ***

Villalvernia

Villalvernia
Comune
Comune di Villalvernia
Villalvernia is located in Italy
Villalvernia
Villalvernia
Location of Villalvernia in Italy
Coordinates: 44°48′59″N 8°51′30″E / 44.81639°N 8.85833°E / 44.81639; 8.85833Coordinates: 44°48′59″N 8°51′30″E / 44.81639°N 8.85833°E / 44.81639; 8.85833
Country Italy
Region Piedmont
Province / Metropolitan city Alessandria (AL)
Area
 • Total 4.63 km2 (1.79 sq mi)
Elevation 193 m (633 ft)
Population (2005)
 • Total 941
 • Density 200/km2 (530/sq mi)
Demonym(s) Villaverniesi
Time zone CET (UTC+1)
 • Summer (DST) CEST (UTC+2)
Postal code 15050
Dialing code 0131
Saint day 7 October
Website Official website

Villalvernia is a comune, population 932, in the Province of Alessandria in Piedmont, Italy, situated in a hilly area on the right bank of the Scrivia.

Probably founded during the 10th century, and simply called Villa, the town was partially to the bishops of Tortona by Pope Adrian IV (Nicholas Breakspear). In 1413 Filippo Maria Visconti enfeoffed it to Guglielmo d’Alvernia. The village remained with the Alvernias for 167 years, which explains the “alvernia” part of the placename.

In 1580, after the wedding of Francesco with Antonia Alvernia, the feud passed to the Spinola family. In 1652 the feudatories obtained the title of Marquess from Philip IV, King of Spain.

On 1 December 1944, the village was bombed by the United States Air Force, which was targeting the railway offices which had been transferred from Genoa. One hundred and fourteen inhabitants were killed, and 235 wounded in the bombing.



...
Wikipedia

...