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Discovering Vercelli: History and Culture of the City
Vercelli is a historic city and important cultural center located in the Piedmont region of northern Italy. The city has an ancient and fascinating history dating back to the Roman Empire. In medieval times, Vercelli reached great artistic and cultural splendor, becoming home to the first Subalpine university, the Studium.
Today, Vercelli is mainly known as the "rice capital", with the cultivation of rice still being the basis of the local economy. However, Vercelli also offers numerous tourist attractions, including the Basilica of Sant'Andrea, the Vercelli Cathedral, the Church of San Cristoforo and San Marco. Furthermore, the city is crossed by the Via Francigena, making it an important stop for travelers who follow this historic itinerary.
Physical Geography
Vercelli is located in the Po Valley, northeast of the Po River, on the banks of the Sesia River. The surrounding area is flat and rich in waterways, including the Cavour Canal, which is essential for irrigation in rice cultivation. The city is halfway between Milan and Turin, and the surrounding area is almost entirely cultivated with rice.
The climate of Vercelli is semi-continental, with cold and often foggy winters, and hot and very humid summers. Rainfall is most common in spring and autumn, with an average of 824.3 mm annually. The rainiest month is May, followed by November. Snow falls every year between November and March, with a height of 25 cm.
History of Vercelli
Vercelli is an ancient city with a very interesting historical background. In Roman times, it was known as "Vercellae" and was described by Publius Cornelius Tacitus as one of the "firmissima Municipia" of Regio XI Transpadana. In the 4th century, the city became the seat of the Archdiocese of Vercelli and an important center for the spread of Christianity in the region. Thanks to the widespread of Christianity, Vercelli climbed the ecclesiastical hierarchies becoming a true power of the area.
The Middle Ages were a period of great artistic and cultural splendor for the city, to the extent that it became one of the most important medieval cities in the region. During this period, Vercelli became the seat of the first Subalpine university, the Studium, which attracted students from all over Italy and Europe.
In the 19th century, Vercelli began to develop as a center for rice cultivation, which became the main crop of the area. Also during the 20th century, the city underwent constant evolution and today is an important commercial and cultural development center.
Economy of Vercelli
As previously mentioned, the city of Vercelli is known as the "rice capital" and the cultivation of this cereal still represents the basis of the local economy. In addition to rice production, the economy of Vercelli is also based on logistics and tourism.
In recent years, tourism has become an important element in the city's economy thanks to its position on the Via Francigena, numerous cultural attractions, and natural beauties of the area. Among the monuments to visit, we can include the Basilica of Sant'Andrea, the Vercelli Cathedral, the Church of San Cristoforo and San Marco, as well as events such as the historic carnival.
University of Eastern Piedmont Amedeo Avogadro
Vercelli is home to one of the most important universities in the entire region, the University of Eastern Piedmont Amedeo Avogadro. The structure is shared with Alessandria and Novara and offers a wide range of courses of study, including sciences, humanities, medicine, and law.
The presence of the university has made Vercelli an important academic and cultural center, attracting students and professors from all over the world.
In summary, Vercelli is a city with a long history and fascinating culture. The city is anchored in the tradition of rice cultivation, but also offers many other cultural, artistic, and natural attractions. The presence of the university makes it a young and lively city that attracts students, tourists, and visitors of all kinds.
