Tortona
Encyclopedia
Tortona is a comune
of Piemonte, in the Province of Alessandria
, Italy
. Tortona is sited on the right bank of the Scrivia
between the plain of Marengo
and the foothills of the Ligurian Apennines.
Known in ancient times as Derthona, the city was probably the oldest colony under Roman rule in the westernmost section of the Valley of the Po
, on the road leading from Genua
(Genoa) to Placentia
(Piacenza). The city was founded circa 123 BC - 118 BC at the junction of the great roads; the Via Postumia
and the Via Aemilia Scauri
which merged to become the Via Julia Augusta
. The site made Dertona an important military station under the Romans.
A bishopric was founded at Tortona early, but its first bishops are purely legendary, like Saint Marcianus of Tortona, called the first bishop of Piedmont and a disciple of Barnabas
, the companion of Paul. Until the 9th century, the city was under the rule of its bishop; in 1090 it became a free commune
with the name of Terdona. In 1133 the diocese was separated from the archbishopric of Milan to the new archdiocese of Genoa (CE "Lombardy").
In 1155 Frederick Barbarossa leveled Tortona to the ground, leaving not one stone upon another.
During the Middle Ages
, Tortona was a faithful ally of the Guelphs and was destroyed several times. From 1260 to 1347 the city was dominated by a series of different Italian noble families and adventurers like Facino Cane
, who in the unsettled affairs of Lombardy had assembled a string of lordships and great wealth which he bequeathed to his wife, Beatrice, and arranged with his friends that a marriage should be effected between her and Filippo Maria Visconti
. According to Machiavelli
(History of Florence, ch. 7) "By this union Filippo became powerful, and reacquired Milan and the whole of Lombardy. By way of being grateful for these numerous favors, as princes commonly are, he accused Beatrice of adultery and caused her to be put to death" http://www.online-literature.com/machiavelli/florence_italy/7/. In this way, in 1347, Tortona was decisively incorporated into the territories of the Duchy of Milan
, under which remained until 1735. Then following the vicissitudes of the War of the Polish Succession
, the city was occupied by the King of Sardinia, and "count of Tortona" was added to the titles of the House of Savoy
.
Other figures with links to the town:
, France
Weilburg
, Germany
Zevenaar
, The Netherlands
Jiangyin
, People's Republic of China
Comune
In Italy, the comune is the basic administrative division, and may be properly approximated in casual speech by the English word township or municipality.-Importance and function:...
of Piemonte, in the Province of Alessandria
Province of Alessandria
The Province of Alessandria is an Italian province, with a population of some 430,000, which forms the southeastern part of the region of Piedmont. The provincial capital is the city of Alessandria....
, Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
. Tortona is sited on the right bank of the Scrivia
Scrivia
The Scrivia is a right tributary of the Po River, in northern Italy. It runs through Liguria, Piedmont, and Lombardy....
between the plain of Marengo
Marengo
Marengo may refer to:* The Battle of Marengo, in 1800 in northern Italy* French ship Marengo* Chicken Marengo, a food dish* Marengo , a genus of jumping spiders* Marengo , Napoleon's horse...
and the foothills of the Ligurian Apennines.
History
Po River
The Po |Ligurian]]: Bodincus or Bodencus) is a river that flows either or – considering the length of the Maira, a right bank tributary – eastward across northern Italy, from a spring seeping from a stony hillside at Pian del Re, a flat place at the head of the Val Po under the northwest face...
, on the road leading from Genua
Genoa
Genoa |Ligurian]] Zena ; Latin and, archaically, English Genua) is a city and an important seaport in northern Italy, the capital of the Province of Genoa and of the region of Liguria....
(Genoa) to Placentia
Placentia
Placentia may refer to:* Palace of Placentia, an English Royal Palace* Placentia, California, United States* Placentia, Italy* Placentia, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada* Battle of Placentia* Placentia Bay, the name of two ships of the Royal Navy...
(Piacenza). The city was founded circa 123 BC - 118 BC at the junction of the great roads; the Via Postumia
Via Postumia
The Via Postumia was an ancient Roman road of northern Italy constructed in 148 BC by the consul Spurius Postumius Albinus Magnus.It ran from the coast at Genua through the mountains to Dertona, Placentia and Cremona, just east of the point where it crossed the Po River...
and the Via Aemilia Scauri
Via Aemilia Scauri
The Via Aemilia Scauri was an ancient Roman road built by the Consul Marcus Aemilius Scaurus in 115 BCE.- Route :It is mainly a coastal road, doubling Via Aurelia, and connecting Rome to Placentia and Pisa, passing through Genoa...
which merged to become the Via Julia Augusta
Via Julia Augusta
The Via Julia Augusta is the name given to the Roman road formed by the merging of the Via Aemilia Scauri with the Via Postumia. The road runs from Placentia to Arelates through Derthona , Vada Sabatia , Albingaunum and Album Intimilium .It was begun in 13 BC by Augustus, and originally stopped...
. The site made Dertona an important military station under the Romans.
A bishopric was founded at Tortona early, but its first bishops are purely legendary, like Saint Marcianus of Tortona, called the first bishop of Piedmont and a disciple of Barnabas
Barnabas
Barnabas , born Joseph, was an Early Christian, one of the earliest Christian disciples in Jerusalem. In terms of culture and background, he was a Hellenised Jew, specifically a Levite. Named an apostle in , he and Saint Paul undertook missionary journeys together and defended Gentile converts...
, the companion of Paul. Until the 9th century, the city was under the rule of its bishop; in 1090 it became a free commune
Medieval commune
Medieval communes in the European Middle Ages had sworn allegiances of mutual defense among the citizens of a town or city. They took many forms, and varied widely in organization and makeup. Communes are first recorded in the late 11th and early 12th centuries, thereafter becoming a widespread...
with the name of Terdona. In 1133 the diocese was separated from the archbishopric of Milan to the new archdiocese of Genoa (CE "Lombardy").
In 1155 Frederick Barbarossa leveled Tortona to the ground, leaving not one stone upon another.
During the Middle Ages
Middle Ages
The Middle Ages is a periodization of European history from the 5th century to the 15th century. The Middle Ages follows the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 and precedes the Early Modern Era. It is the middle period of a three-period division of Western history: Classic, Medieval and Modern...
, Tortona was a faithful ally of the Guelphs and was destroyed several times. From 1260 to 1347 the city was dominated by a series of different Italian noble families and adventurers like Facino Cane
Facino Cane
thumb|Facino Cane.Facino Cane da Casale , born Bonifacio Cane, was an Italian condottiero.-Biography:Cane was born in Casale Monferrato to a noble family....
, who in the unsettled affairs of Lombardy had assembled a string of lordships and great wealth which he bequeathed to his wife, Beatrice, and arranged with his friends that a marriage should be effected between her and Filippo Maria Visconti
Filippo Maria Visconti
Filippo Maria Visconti was ruler of Milan from 1412 to 1447.-Biography:Filippo Maria Visconti, who had become nominal ruler of Pavia in 1402, succeeded his assassinated brother Gian Maria Visconti as Duke of Milan in 1412. They were the sons of Gian Galeazzo Visconti, Gian Maria's predecessor, by...
. According to Machiavelli
Niccolò Machiavelli
Niccolò di Bernardo dei Machiavelli was an Italian historian, philosopher, humanist, and writer based in Florence during the Renaissance. He is one of the main founders of modern political science. He was a diplomat, political philosopher, playwright, and a civil servant of the Florentine Republic...
(History of Florence, ch. 7) "By this union Filippo became powerful, and reacquired Milan and the whole of Lombardy. By way of being grateful for these numerous favors, as princes commonly are, he accused Beatrice of adultery and caused her to be put to death" http://www.online-literature.com/machiavelli/florence_italy/7/. In this way, in 1347, Tortona was decisively incorporated into the territories of the Duchy of Milan
Duchy of Milan
The Duchy of Milan , was created on the 1st of may 1395, when Gian Galeazzo Visconti, Lord of Milan, purchased a diploma for 100,000 Florins from King Wenceslaus. It was this diploma that installed, Gian Galeazzo as Duke of Milan and Count of Pavia...
, under which remained until 1735. Then following the vicissitudes of the War of the Polish Succession
War of the Polish Succession
The War of the Polish Succession was a major European war for princes' possessions sparked by a Polish civil war over the succession to Augustus II, King of Poland that other European powers widened in pursuit of their own national interests...
, the city was occupied by the King of Sardinia, and "count of Tortona" was added to the titles of the House of Savoy
House of Savoy
The House of Savoy was formed in the early 11th century in the historical Savoy region. Through gradual expansion, it grew from ruling a small county in that region to eventually rule the Kingdom of Italy from 1861 until the end of World War II, king of Croatia and King of Armenia...
.
Main sights
- Roman remains, traditionally identified as the Mausoleum of the Roman Emperor Maiorianus
- Palazzo Guidobono (15th century), rebuilt in 1939 with a Gothic façade. It has traces of Renaissance frescoes.
- The cathedral (mid-16th century). The façade is a neoclassicist addition of the 19th century. The interior has works by Camillo ProcacciniCamillo Procaccinithumb|300px|Nativity by Camillo ProcacciniCamillo Procaccini was an Italian painter. He has been posthumously referred to as the Vasari of Lombardy, for his prolific Mannerist fresco decoration....
, Aurelio LuiniAurelio Luinithumb|250px|Ol compà Digliagòr and Ol compà Braghetògn , two caricatures. [[Pinacoteca Ambrosiana]], [[Milan]].Aurelio Luini was an Italian painter and draughtsman from Milan, the fourth and last son of Bernardino Luini...
and others. It houses also the relics of St. Martianus, patron of Tortona, and the tombs of many important religious figures, including Don Lorenzo Perosi and his brother Cardinal Carlo PerosiCarlo PerosiCarlo Perosi was an Italian Cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church who served as Secretary of the Sacred Consistorial Congregation from 1928 until his death, and was elevated to the cardinalate in 1926.-Biography:...
. - The Bishops' Palace (1584), with a noteworthy Renaissance portal. It has a triptych of Madonna with Child and Saints by Macrino d'AlbaMacrino d'AlbaMacrino d'Alba was an Italian painter of the Renaissance period, active mainly in Piedmont. Also called Giovanni Giacomo Fava. Born in Alba, he painted the Resurrection for the chapel of Sant’Ugone at the Certosa di Pavia...
(1499).
Notable Tortonesi
People born in Tortona, or with notably close links to the town, include:- Saint Marcian of TortonaMarcian of TortonaSaint Marcian of Tortona is traditionally said to have been the first bishop of Tortona, a post he held for forty-five years.-Legend:...
(died perhaps around 120 CE) is traditionally said to have been the first bishop of Tortona. - Saint Innocent of Tortona (died ca. 350), who survived the persecutions and was sent as bishop to Tortona by Pope Sylvester.
- Bishop Gezo of Tortona in the 10th century wrote a Treatise on the Body and Blood of the Lord one of the few important theological works of the century in Italy http://www.apuritansmind.com/AdvancedHistoricalTheology/AHT-Part13DarkAges.htm.
- Marziano da Tortona, secretary to duke Filippo Maria ViscontiFilippo Maria ViscontiFilippo Maria Visconti was ruler of Milan from 1412 to 1447.-Biography:Filippo Maria Visconti, who had become nominal ruler of Pavia in 1402, succeeded his assassinated brother Gian Maria Visconti as Duke of Milan in 1412. They were the sons of Gian Galeazzo Visconti, Gian Maria's predecessor, by...
of Milan is one of the people credited with inventing the card game of Tarocchi http://www.tarothermit.com/marziano.htm. - Saint Luigi OrioneLuigi OrioneSaint Luigi Orione is an Italian saint.- Life :Luigi Giovanni Orione was born into a poor family at Pontecurone, in the Province of Alessandria, Piedmont on the Vigil of the feast day of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist. He was named after Saint Aloysius Gonzaga and Saint John the Baptist...
(1872–1940) founded the Sanctuary of the Madonna della Guardia in Tortona. - Lorenzo Perosi (1872–1956), an associate of Orione, was a composer of church music and “Perpetual Director” of the Sistine Choir.
- Marziano PerosiMarziano PerosiMarziano Perosi , brother of Don Lorenzo Perosi and of Cardinal Carlo Perosi. Italian composer, choirmaster, and organist. He was an organist and choirmaster at the Santuario della Madonna del Rosario in Pompei, assistant to his brother Lorenzo at the Sistine Chapel, and organist and choirmaster...
(1875–1959), composer, organist, choir director (brother of the above) - Angelo Barabino (1883–1950), painter
- Fausto CoppiFausto CoppiAngelo Fausto Coppi, , was the dominant international cyclist of the years each side of the Second World War. His successes earned him the title Il Campionissimo, or champion of champions...
(1919–1960), “Il Campionissimo” is regarded as one of the most successful and most popular racing cyclists of all time. - Giuseppe CamporaGiuseppe CamporaGiuseppe Campora , was an Italian operatic tenor. Campora was one of the greatest Puccinian tenors of his generation...
(1923–2004), operatic tenor. - Enrico Bellone, (Tortona, 1938), physicistPhysicistA physicist is a scientist who studies or practices physics. Physicists study a wide range of physical phenomena in many branches of physics spanning all length scales: from sub-atomic particles of which all ordinary matter is made to the behavior of the material Universe as a whole...
and writerWriterA writer is a person who produces literature, such as novels, short stories, plays, screenplays, poetry, or other literary art. Skilled writers are able to use language to portray ideas and images....
. - Ivo MilazzoIvo MilazzoIvo Milazzo is an Italian comic book artist.He was born in Tortona, and worked mainly for Sergio Bonelli Editore. Together with his friend, writer Giancarlo Berardi, in 1974 he created Ken Parker, one of the most appreciated western characters of European comics.His style is somewhat reminiscent...
(born 1947), Italian comic bookItalian comicsItalian comics are comics made in Italy. They are locally known as fumetto – plural form fumetti – although this latter term is often used in English to describe a specific comic genre . The most popular Italian comics have been translated into many languages...
artist. - Luisa OttoliniLuisa OttoliniLuisa Ottolini is an Italian physicist.Her research activities are concerned mainly with the development, set up and optimisation of microanalytical procedures for the quantitative determination of elements present at low concentrations , light and volatile elements Luisa Ottolini (born July 10,...
(born 1954), Italian physicistPhysicistA physicist is a scientist who studies or practices physics. Physicists study a wide range of physical phenomena in many branches of physics spanning all length scales: from sub-atomic particles of which all ordinary matter is made to the behavior of the material Universe as a whole...
.
Other figures with links to the town:
- MajorianMajorianMajorian , was the Western Roman Emperor from 457 to 461.A prominent general of the Late Roman army, Majorian deposed Emperor Avitus in 457 and succeeded him. Majorian was one of the last emperors to make a concerted effort to restore the Western Roman Empire...
(420–461), Western Roman Emperor from 457 until his death, is said to have died here. - Judith, daughter of WelfJudith, daughter of WelfQueen Judith , also known as Judith of Bavaria, was the daughter of Count Welf and a Saxon noblewoman named Hedwig, Duchess of Bavaria...
(805–843), Holy Roman Empress and Queen of the Franks, was exiled to Tortona during 833 and 834.
Twinnings
PrivasPrivas
Privas is a commune of France, capital of the Ardèche department. It is the second-smallest administrative center of any department in France, larger than only the commune of Foix. It is the fifth-largest commune in the Ardèche, behind Annonay, Aubenas, Guilherand-Granges, and Tournon-sur-Rhône. It...
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
Weilburg
Weilburg
Weilburg is, with just under 14,000 inhabitants, the third biggest town in Limburg-Weilburg district in Hesse, Germany, after Limburg an der Lahn and Bad Camberg.- Location :...
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
Zevenaar
Zevenaar
Zevenaar is a municipality and a city in the eastern Netherlands, near the border with Germany.- Population centres :*Angerlo*Babberich*Giesbeek*Lathum*Ooy*Oud Zevenaar*Zevenaar...
, The Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
Jiangyin
Jiangyin
Jiangyin is a city in China's Jiangsu province on the Yangtze River. It has population of 1.2 million . The total GDP reached RMB 171.3 billion yuan in 2009, an increase of 11.6% from 2008. The GDP per capita reached RMB 142,572 yuan...
, People's Republic of China
People's Republic of China
China , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...