Carbonara al Ticino
Carbonara al Ticino: a town with a fascinating history
Carbonara al Ticino is a town in the province of Pavia in Lombardy, located in eastern Lomellina on the edge of the terrace overlooking the alluvial valley of the Ticino River. With its 1,418 inhabitants, the town owes its name to the vast forest of "Sylva Carbonaria" that once extended between the settlement and the river.
The roots of the name Carbonara
As the name suggests, the toponym "Carbonara" derives from "Sylva Carbonaria," the dense forest that has been present in the area since ancient times. This vast area was periodically burned to obtain valuable charcoal.
The history of the ancient forest of Carbonara
The area of Carbonara was part of the vast forest known as "Sylva Carbonaria." This forest extended from the Terdoppio and Agogna streams, encompassing the territories of Dorno and Valeggio, to the Ticino and Po Rivers. The ancient "Strada Regina," a road that connected Piacenza to Pavia, passed through the center of the forest, passing through Dorno and Valeggio until it reached Lomello. From there, the road continued towards Vercelli and Turin, finally reaching Gaul.
The first mentions of Carbonara date back to the Middle Ages and include the "Codice diplomatico Longobardo." This document mentions a royal diploma of Cuniperto from around 690 that was not issued in Pavia but at the court of Carbonara. This recognized the area as a royal fief. Later, another diploma was published by Ludovico Antonio Muratori, dated August 5, 747, and issued by the "Curte Curbonaria," again referring to the court of Carbonara.
Carbonara: from monk carbonaio to religious center
The first impulse given to the area of Carbonara was given by the monk carbonaio Sant'Aldo. He, along with other monks, reclaimed the forest, working on charcoal production before praying. Sant'Aldo spent the last years of his life in this environment. In the vicinity around the 8th century, the ancient Columban monastery of Santa Maria di Carbonaria was built. This was involved in the production of charcoal and ran a hospital for pilgrims and the sick.
Also during this period, the inhabitants of the area built an oratory in the village dedicated to the Saint hermit, where his remains were preserved for a long time. Later, the saint's body was transferred to the Church of Pavia and finally, in 1573, it was placed in the main altar of the Basilica of San Michele Maggiore in Pavia.
Later, the area of Carbonara was divided among the Columban possessions managed by the Pavia monasteries of the Monastery of San Pietro in Ciel d'Oro and the Monastery of San Salvatore. Emperor Guido II of Spoleto granted the "Sylva Carbonaria" to the Monastery of Santa Maria Teodote of Pavia, with the fief of Carbonara (which also included Villanova d'Ardenghi) and the ancient monastery of S. Maria and the hospital. In 1083, the prior of the monastery of Santa Maria di Carbonara passed to the possessions of the Abbey of Santa Croce di Mortara.
Carbonara under the lordship of Beccaria and Visconti
From the 13th century, Carbonara was known as Carbonaria and was part of the fiefdom of Gropello Cairoli. Later, the lordship passed to the Beccaria of Gropello and, by inheritance, to the Visconti of the Breme and Gropello branch. Girolamo was the first Count of Carbonara at the beginning of the 17th century.
In short, Carbonara al Ticino has a very rich and fascinating history intertwined with that of the vast forest of "Sylva Carbonaria." The area was home to an important Columban monastery, which saw monks and charcoal burners as protagonists. Later, the region came under the lordship of Beccaria and Visconti. All of this makes the town a place of great historical and cultural interest for visitors and tourists.
