Cambridge Encyclopedia :: Cambridge Encyclopedia Vol. 4

Alessandria - History, Visiting Alessandria, People born in Alessandria

44º55N 8º37E, pop (2001e) 90 200. Town in Piedmont, NW Italy; on the R Tanaro, NW of Genoa; birthplace of Sibilla Aleramo, Walter Audisio, Umberto Eco, Urbano Rattazzi; railway; wine, engineering.

Comune di Alessandria

Municipal coat of arms
Country Italy
Region Piedmont
Province Alessandria (AL)
Mayor
Elevation 95 m
Area 204 km²
Population
 - Total (as of December 31, 2004) 90,532
 - Density 502/km²
Time zone CET, UTC+1
Coordinates 44°55′N 08°37′E
Gentilic Alessandrini
Dialing code 0131
Postal code 15100
Frazioni Spinetta Marengo, Castelceriolo, Lobbi, San Giuliano Nuovo, San Giuliano Vecchio, Mandrogne, Cascinagrossa, Litta Parodi, Valle San Bartolomeo, San Michele
Patron San Baudolino
 - Day November 10
Website: www.comune.alessandria.it

Alessandria (Lisandria in Piedmontese) is a city in Piedmont, Italy, and the capital of the Province of Alessandria.

History

Alessandria was founded in 1168 upon a preexisting urban nucleus, to serve as a stronghold for the Lombard League, defending the traditional liberties of the communes of northern Italy against the Imperial forces of Frederick Barbarossa.

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). Michele Pittaluga International Classical Guitar Competition Premio Città di Alessandria International Rally "Madonnina dei Centauri".official web site

Visiting Alessandria

Localities to visit include the Morbello commune with activities including hiking, mountain biking, wineries and farmstead bed-and-breakfasts.

People born in Alessandria

Umberto Eco, writer Carlo Carrà, painter Giovanni Migliara, painter Angelo Morbelli, painter Urbano Rattazzi, statesman of the Risorgimento Gianni Rivera, footballer Blessed Teresa Grillo Michel.
Alessandro (Giuseppe Antonio Anastasio) Volta - Biography, Honors [next] [back] Aleppo - History, Design, Population and religion, Notable people

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