Montebello della Battaglia
Montebello della Battaglia
Montebello della Battaglia is a small Italian municipality with just under 1500 inhabitants and is located in the province of Pavia, Lombardy. It is situated in the Oltrepò Pavese region, at the boundary between the plain and the surrounding hills. The territory of Montebello comprises not only its town center but also eight hamlets.
Physical Geography
Montebello della Battaglia is located in Oltrepò Pavese, between the hills and the plain. The population density is 104 inhabitants per km². The town center is near the 10 Padana Inferiore national road and the Coppa valley. The 45th parallel passes through the center of the town, which is geographically halfway between the North Pole and the Equator.
History
In ancient times, a Roman settlement was located in Montebello, probably a "Villa" dependent on the nearby town of Clastidium, now Casteggio. The name of the town may come from its location on top of a hill or from the Latin "Mons Belli", referring to the Battle of Clastidium in 222 BC.
The origin of the settlement is closely linked to the Carolingian court of Ceresola belonging to the Monastery of Sant'Ambrogio di Milano. This place probably originated as a "Castra" for defense of the court and was equipped with the church of San Gervasio and Protasio. The "de Montebello" family appear as castellans of Montebello.
The toponym appears for the first time in Pope Urban II's Bull of 29 June 1094. Later, the cavalryman Uberto and his relatives donated lands and a pre-existing Romanesque church to the Monastery of Sant'Ambrogio. The building was then transformed into a monastery, around which the town was formed. The monastery received many donations in the following centuries, becoming the largest local owner.
In 1164, Montebello was assigned by Federico Barbarossa along with other lands to the city of Pavia, but remained in the diocese of Piacenza. In 1175, the armies of the Lombard League and Frederick were about to clash near Montebello, but an armistice was reached that postponed the confrontation to the following year.
Important families of Montebello
During this period, the Delconte family from Pavia appears as "advocates" of the monastery "Monasterium Montisbelli" of San Gervaso and Protaso. This will become the most important family in town. The ancient lords of Montebello, on the other hand, gradually disappear. The two families are mentioned separately in a document from 1181.
Conclusions
Montebello della Battaglia is a place full of history. Its origin is closely related to the Carolingian court of Ceresola and the Monastery of Sant'Ambrogio, whose territory included all or part of that of Montebello. Over the centuries, the town has grown and become an important settlement in Oltrepò Pavese. Today, Montebello is mainly famous for its natural beauty and the peace that reigns there.
