Codevilla
Codevilla: a town at the foot of the hills of Oltrepò Pavese
Welcome to Codevilla, a municipality of 940 inhabitants in the province of Pavia in Lombardy. The town is located at the foot of the hills of Oltrepò Pavese, near the outlet to the plain of the Staffora river, and extends over them. The history of Codevilla is rich in interesting events that have marked its evolution, most of which indicate the town as an important center of political and religious power in Oltrepò Pavese.
History
The two most important centers of Codevilla are the current capital and its hamlet Mondondone. The latter, located on a hill overlooking the capital, is known since the 10th century when it was included in the county of Tortona and belonged to the Monastery of the Senator in Pavia. In 1164, the city of Pavia also acquired its political dominion, making it the seat of one of the podesterie or squads into which the territory was divided.
After centuries of changes, in 1797 feudalism, which marked the fortunes of the town, was abolished. Codevilla became the most important center in the area, not only from a religious but also a population point of view. In 1814, it became the municipal seat and, later, celebrations were held for the millenary of Mondondone in 1997.
Symbols
The coat of arms and the gonfalon of Codevilla were approved by the municipal council on July 29, 1981 and granted by decree of the President of the Republic on June 3, 1982. The blue eagle present in the coat of arms represents the feudal families of the town, in particular the Beccaria and Rovida. The ears of wheat and the grape represent the main agricultural products of the territory, while the pastoral staff recalls the long period in which Codevilla was a fief of the Diocese of Tortona.
The gonfalon is a split banner of white and blue.
Monuments and places of interest
Codevilla is a very characteristic town and offers several places to visit. The castle of Mondondone, for example, is one of the main attractions of the town and is located in a dominant position on the homonymous hamlet.
Society
Demographic evolution
The population of Codevilla has grown steadily in recent years and today counts about 940 inhabitants.
Traditions and folklore
The popular legends widespread in this area tell that in Casareggio there was the summer residence where King Alboin would have stayed during the years of the siege of Pavia. The oral tradition also tells many other stories, constituting an important intangible cultural heritage of the territory.
Codevilla is a town rich in history and traditions and, despite its small size, offers several attractions to visit. Come and discover it!
