Alice Castello
Alice Castello: a dive into the history of Piedmont
Hello everyone! Today I'm going to talk about a small Piedmontese municipality located in the province of Vercelli: Alice Castello, or as they say in Piedmontese, ''Àles dël Castel''. This town has a population of about 2459 inhabitants and is only 8.5 km from Santhià.
Physical geography
Alice Castello is located almost at the confluence between the A4 motorway and the Ivrea-Santhià motorway branch, which makes it easily accessible. Although it is located in the province of Vercelli, it is part of the diocese of Ivrea.
Origins of the name
The origin of the name of the town is not known with certainty, but it most likely derives from the Latin personal name ''Allicus''. Until the sixteenth century, the town was simply known as ''Alice'' or as ''Alice Vercellese''. Later the town was called ''Alix Inferior'', to distinguish it from another town called ''Alice Superiore''. The current name of Alice Castello dates back to the royal decree of 14 December 1862, which wanted to remember both the castle that dominates the landscape of the town and its ancient feudal glory.
History
The history of Alice Castello begins very early, with the discovery of tombs dating back to the Lombard period in its territory. The first documentary attestation of the town dates back to 963, when the Emperor Otto I of Saxony granted the ''curtis Alicis'' to Aimone, probable ancestor of the Counts of Alice and Cavaglià. In 1000, the emperor granted the jurisdiction of the territory of Alice to the Archdiocese of Vercelli. In 1228, the Basilica of Sant'Andrea acquired a good part of the feudal rights from the Counts of Alice.
Over the centuries, the town came under the control of the Visconti, the Savoy and the Marquis Valperga di Castello di Masino. In 1649, Alice was brutally sacked by the militias of the Duchy of Milan, while in 1746, the assets of the Abbey of Sant'Andrea were sold at auction after the seizure of the Kingdom of Sardinia.
Symbols
The coat of arms and the banner of the municipality of Alice Castello were granted by decree of the President of the Republic on 7 August 1990. The coat of arms represents a castle with three towers that recalls the ancient medieval castle now in ruins, with an Eagle with spread wings resting on the battlements, accompanied laterally by two stars. The banner is a white cloth.
Monuments and places of interest
Alice Castello is a small town but rich in history and interesting monuments. The castle, for example, is one of the symbols of the town and has been renovated many times over the centuries. Despite this, it has not lost its charm and continues to attract many visitors every year.
Likewise, the Romanesque Church of Sant'Andrea is a place of historical and religious interest. Here are preserved many valuable artifacts, including a precious stone altar from the twelfth century.
If you love nature, you cannot miss the river park of the Elvo river, which is located near the town. Here you can take long walks, admire the local flora and fauna, and enjoy a moment of peace and tranquility.
Conclusions
Alice Castello is a town that has much to offer to anyone who wants to learn more about the history and culture of Piedmont. From the castle to the ancient churches, to the river park, you will find many things to see and do here. I hope this brief summary has been helpful to you and that it has made you want to visit this beautiful town!
