Villalvernia
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.
Villalvernia | |
|---|---|
| Comune di Villalvernia | |
Location of Villalvernia 
| |
  Villalvernia Location of Villalvernia in Italy  Villalvernia Villalvernia (Piedmont) | |
| Coordinates: 44°48′59″N 8°51′30″E | |
| Country | Italy |
| Region | Piedmont |
| Province | Alessandria (AL) |
| Frazioni | Carezzano, Cassano Spinola, Pozzolo Formigaro, Tortona |
| Area | |
| • Total | 4.63 km2 (1.79 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 193 m (633 ft) |
| Population (2005)[2] | |
| • Total | 941 |
| • Density | 200/km2 (530/sq mi) |
| Demonym(s) | Villaverniesi |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) |
| Postal code | 15050 |
| Dialing code | 0131 |
| ISTAT code | 006183 |
| Saint day | 7 October |
| Website | Official website |
History
Probably founded during the 10th century, and simply called Villa, the town was partially enfeoffed 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.
References
- "Superficie di Comuni Province e Regioni italiane al 9 ottobre 2011". Istat. Retrieved 16 March 2019.
- All demographics and other statistics from the Italian statistical institute (Istat)