Ruino
Welcome to Ruino, an ancient village in Lombardy
Welcome to Ruino, an ancient and charming village located in the province of Pavia, Lombardy. Although it was an autonomous scattered municipality until December 31, 2018, it still has about 700 inhabitants and is an important tourist destination in the region. Ruino is part of the municipality of Colli Verdi and borders several other municipalities in the area.
A strategic location and an important historical past
Ruino is located on the high hills of the Oltrepò Pavese, on the left side of the Tidone valley. Its position is strategic for the interconnection of the main hill ridges of the Oltrepò. In the territory, there is also the Carmine pass, which connects several valleys of the area with the Val Tidone.
History of Ruino
Ruino has an ancient and fascinating history. In the 11th century, it was included in the territory of the upper Tidone valley subject to the bishop of Bobbio. In 1164, it was assigned by imperial diploma to the domain of the city of Pavia. However, it seems that Pavia never managed to consolidate its dominion over Ruino, which over time followed the fate of Zavattarello, the capital of the valley, in the feudal holdings by the bishop of Bobbio to the Landi and Dal Verme counts of Bobbio and Voghera, lords of various fiefs. Feudalism was abolished in 1797. It was not part of the actual Oltrepò Pavese, but of the jurisdiction of the vermeschi fiefs, aggregated to the Principality of Pavia.
Union with the Kingdom of Sardinia and protests by the inhabitants
Ruino was united with the Kingdom of Sardinia in 1743, based on the Treaty of Worms, and then to the Province of Bobbio. In 1801, the territory was annexed to Napoleonic France until 1814. In 1848, as part of the province of Bobbio, it passed from Liguria to Piedmont. In 1859, it became part of the Bobbio district of the province of Pavia and then Lombardy. In 1923, the Bobbio district was dismantled and Ruino passed to the province of Piacenza, and then to Emilia-Romagna. This division caused numerous protests by the inhabitants of the upper valley centers, who wanted to remain under the jurisdiction of Pavia. The protests culminated in the so-called "march on Bobbio" and the holding of some referendums which, held on February 27, 1925, saw the victory of the faction that demanded the return to the province of Pavia.
Conclusion
Ruino is a true gem of Lombardy, rich in history and charm. A place worth visiting to discover traces of its past and the beauty of the surrounding nature. Thanks to its strategic location, it is also an excellent starting point for exploring the breathtaking hills of the Oltrepò Pavese. We look forward to welcoming you to Ruino!
