Robbio
Robbio: the history of an ancient center
Robbio is an Italian town in the province of Pavia in Lombardy, inhabited by over 5,000 people. Its history dates back to prehistoric times, as evidenced by the discovery of tombs and Roman coins dating back to 230-270, in Borgo Nuovo. In the same place where the Roman locality of Redobium arose, Pliny the Elder recounts the Battle of the Raudian Fields in which the Romans defeated the Cimbri. The farmhouse Campo Mario, base of General Gaius Marius, recalls the historical event. The town was dominated by the Lombards, passed to the diocese of Vercelli, and then to the De Robbio family. The latter was feudal and also governed other nearby centers, such as Palestro and Confienza. It was then contested between Vercelli and Pavia and, only in 1220, definitively became part of the Pavia territory, which had already happened for Lomellina since 1164. Successive dominations included the Porro, Crotta, Trotti, and Belcredi of Pavia families, until the De Roma of Milan. In 1748 it passed to the Kingdom of Sardinia and in 1859 became part of the Kingdom of Italy.
Robbio: from the town hall to industrialization
In 1875, the town hall was inaugurated, while the construction of the Vercelli-Mortara Railway gave impetus to agriculture, especially for rice cultivation. With the opening of the Cavour Canal, rice trade further developed, acting as a driving force for the industrialization of the early 1800s, with the establishment of companies such as Riso Gallo and Locatelli. Today, Robbio is one of the most industrialized cities in the province of Pavia, with numerous companies distributed in various sectors. In 1998, the municipality obtained the status of "city," while in 2011 it was awarded the title of Italian Capital of Volunteering.
Robbio: during the pandemic
During the period of the pandemic between 2020 and 2021, Robbio was at the center of national and international attention for its active and effective management. The municipality experimented with the first mass tests, rapid, salivary, antigenic, and molecular swabs. In addition, Robbio was one of the first Italian cities to carry out serological tests, both through venous sampling and the "prick type." This town proved to be a model of organization and management ability that attracted the attention of all national and international media. It was incredible to see how everything was perfectly functioning, and the great attention to the health and safety of the citizens was evident.
Conclusions
Robbio is a town of ancient origins dating back to prehistoric times, with an important Roman and Lombardic history. Over the centuries, it has had many dominations but has managed to emerge, becoming a dynamic and industrial city, with numerous companies in various sectors. In 2020-2021, during the pandemic, Robbio proved to be at the forefront in managing the health crisis, attracting the attention of media from around the world for its perfect organization and many innovative initiatives.
