Genzone
A Brief History of Corteolona and Genzone
Corteolona and Genzone is a municipality in the province of Pavia, located in Lombardy, with a population of 2,534. The city is situated along the Strada Regina, which was once the route connecting Pavia and Piacenza, and was frequently travelled by kings and emperors. Corteolona, likely already a village during the Roman era, became a royal court where Lombard and Frankish kings would reside when Pavia was the capital of the Lombard Kingdom. In 825, Emperor Lothair I declared Pavia as the main seat of higher education in northern Italy, laying the groundwork for the future University. Later on, the "Curtis Olumna" was donated to the monastery of San Salvatore in Pavia.
The city belonged to the "Campagna Sottana" of Pavia and in the 15th century was included in the squadra (podesteria) of the Vicariate of Belgioioso. At the end of the 15th century, Ercole d'Este, son of Sigismondo d'Este, was appointed by the Duke of Milan as the Count of Corteolona and Lord of the Vicariate of Belgioioso. Corteolona was, in fact, the administrative center of Belgioioso, which was a distinct fiefdom. The territory of Corteolona became part of the vast fiefdom administered by the cadet branch of the Este of San Martino (1490-1752). In 1757, the fiefdoms of Corteolona and Belgioioso in the Pavia region passed, through the marriage of Anna Ricciarda d'Este with Alberico Barbiano of Belgiojoso, to the Barbiano princely family of Belgioioso.
On January 1, 2016, the municipalities of Corteolona and Genzone merged to form the new municipality of Corteolona and Genzone.
The Symbols of Corteolona and Genzone
The emblem and flag of the municipality of Corteolona and Genzone were granted by DPR on March 8, 2017. The city's emblem represents the union of the symbols from the former municipalities of Corteolona and Genzone. It features the gold crown, the crossed swords, and the scales for Corteolona, while the seven ears of wheat, two stars, and wavy band represent the symbols of Genzone.
Demographic Evolution of the Municipality
The population of Corteolona and Genzone has increased over the years. In 1961, the population was 1,938 inhabitants, rising to 2,502 in 2011. In 2018, the population reached 2,534.
Conclusions
Corteolona and Genzone is an Italian municipality located in the province of Pavia in Lombardy, which has been the center of many commercial and political activities since the Roman era. This municipality has a rich history of historical events that are still reflected today in its culture and people. Corteolona and Genzone became a single municipality on January 1, 2016, and have a unique emblem that represents the union of the two municipalities. This municipality has seen its population constantly grow over the years and is a place where people can feel the living history and tradition today more than ever.
