Pontestura
Welcome to Pontestura: a charming commune in the Italian region of Piedmont
Pontestura is a commune located in the province of Alessandria, Piedmont, just 12 km west of Casale Monferrato. With a population of around 1,354 inhabitants, the town offers a tranquil and relaxing atmosphere. The name Pontestura derives from ''Pons Turris'', which means bridge with tower, and can also be found in the town's coat of arms.
A brief history of Pontestura
Pontestura was a summer residence of the Paleologi (Marchesato del Monferrato). The city was the birthplace of three Marquises of Monferrato and Ludovico il Moro was held prisoner there. In 1510, Margherita Paleologa was born in Pontestura and her marriage to Federico II Gonzaga was fundamental for the passage of the Marchesato di Monferrato among the possessions of the Duchy of Mantova. The castle that once stood on the hill above the town was destroyed during the Napoleonic era, but the town's main square still bears its name and the green lawn there is used for events that enliven the village's life.
Places of interest in Pontestura
Pontestura has many places of interest for tourists, including: the 12th century parish church of Sant'Agata, with a beautiful paved square of black and white river stones; the church of San Giacomo, with the symbol of the shell above the entrance; the civic theater ''Giuseppe Verdi''; and the porticoes in Corso Roma.
Photo gallery
You can take a look at the town's photos in the photo gallery, with images like the green area where the castle was located, the tree-lined avenue of Piazza Castello, and the porticoes of Corso Roma.
Society
In the last hundred years, the resident population of Pontestura has almost halved, from around 3,000 inhabitants in 1921 to around 1,400 inhabitants in 2021.
Culture
The Museal Depot of the works of Enrico Colombotto Rosso is one of the museums that can be visited in Pontestura. All the works exhibited in the museum were donated by the Maestro to the Municipality of Pontestura to create a permanent exhibition.
Administration
The municipality of Pontestura has undergone some changes throughout history. The municipality of Quarti, established in the mid-17th century, was suppressed and merged with Pontestura in 1928. Similarly, the municipality of Coniolo was suppressed and merged with Pontestura in 1928, but after the Second World War, in 1947, it was separated and reconstituted.
Bibliography and external links
To learn more about the town's history and monuments, consult the official website of the municipality of Pontestura. Additionally, the Banca Dati MonferratoArte website contains a vast historical-bibliographical repertoire of artists active in the extra-urban churches of the diocese of Casale Monferrato.
