Crescentino
Welcome to Crescentino!
Hello everyone! Today we talk about Crescentino, a city located in the Piedmont region, in the province of Vercelli. I'll tell you its history, physical geography, and some curiosities about the city. Are you ready? Let's begin!
Physical Geography
Crescentino has a surface area of 48.26 km² and is located at an altitude of 154 meters. The city is located near the confluence of the Dora Baltea River and the Po River. Additionally, Crescentino is also within the Special Reserve of the San Genuario Marsh, a large protected natural area that hosts many species of plants and animals.
History
Crescentino is an ancient village built in 1242 by the municipality of Vercelli as a free settlement. The territory where the city is located was formerly owned by the Archdiocese of Vercelli, then by San Genuario and Lamporo, and finally by the Abbey of Santa Maria di Lucedio. Its name would come from the name of the aforementioned landowner ''Crescens'', and its diminutive, very popular in the thirteenth century.
In 1315, the city passed under the control of the pro-imperial family of the Conti Tizzoni, becoming an important strategic point between the Po, Chivasso, and Casale Monferrato, serving as a border between the Marchesato del Monferrato and the Duchy of Savoy. In 1428, the Savoys managed to annex the city to their domains and introduced new fortifications to defend themselves from enemy invasions.
During the Franco-Spanish conflict in 1529, a group of inhabitants managed to revolt against the Tizzoni's rule and set fire to the ancient residence, but only in 1613 the city was liberated from the Gonzaga's pretensions and became a military border garrison.
During World War II, the city suffered Nazi-Fascist reprisals in response to the actions of the Italian Resistance, including killings, and fires.
Curiosities
Crescentino is famous for its Vercelli rice cultivation, a very particular type of rice cultivation that has become a symbol of the Piedmont region. Moreover, it is worth mentioning that the city also has a great artisanal tradition, especially in wood processing.
Conclusions
Here we are! I hope you enjoyed the history of Crescentino and that you learned something new about the city. I recommend visiting this city during the rice cultivation period in the fall when the fields turn a beautiful golden color. Thank you for reading!
