Santhià
Welcome to Santhià: history and symbols of the city
Hello everyone! Today we will talk about Santhià, a city of about 8,000 inhabitants in the heart of Piedmont, in the province of Vercelli. Santhià is an important city for its geographical location, situated at the crossroads between different provinces and metropolitan cities, and has a fascinating history that can still be felt today by visiting its monuments and places of interest.
The history of Santhià
Santhià is a city with a millennia-old history. It seems that it was already inhabited in prehistoric times, as shown by some findings in the area. Later it passed to the Ligurians and the Libyc Celts, and then came under Roman domination at the end of the 2nd century BC.
The current name of the city derives from the church dedicated to Sancta Agatha, which is located in the center of the city and was mentioned in a document from the year 999. It remained under the dominion of the Bishops of Vercelli for a long time, until it was conquered by the Visconti of Milan. In 1377, the city surrendered to Amedeo VI of Savoia, called the Green Count.
Santhià was frequently the site of battles between the French and the Spanish during the Renaissance and Baroque periods, causing significant suffering for the population. During World War II, the city was assaulted and looted by the Nazi 5th Mountain Division: about fifty people, including partisans and civilians, were massacred.
Symbols and honors
The coat of arms of Santhià, recognized in 1937, is beautiful and represents the city at its best. The municipal banner, on the other hand, is a split white and red flag and was granted in 1960.
Santhià was awarded the military valor medal for its activity in the partisan struggle during World War II and for the sacrifices of its populations: it was awarded the bronze medal for military valor.
The monuments and places of interest of Santhià
Santhià is rich in monuments and places of interest that are worth a visit. One of the most beautiful is certainly the Collegiate Church of Sant'Agata, now a parish church. This monument has undergone various transformations over the centuries and presents parts of different architectural styles, from Romanesque to Neoclassical. The Romanesque bell tower from the 12th century and the crypt of Santo Stefano are among the oldest parts of the Collegiate Church. Inside there is the Polyptych of Sant'Agata, a work by Gerolamo Giovenone, and two organs: the monumental Serassi 1861 and a "Marzi" 2019 (reconstruction of an instrument from the Varesina school from around 1850).
Conclusions
Santhià is a city that has a lot to offer, both from a historical and a cultural point of view. Its geographical location makes it a crossroads of provinces and metropolitan cities, while its monuments make it shine in the eyes of tourists. If you want to discover this city, I recommend you to visit it calmly and to lose yourself among its streets and its monuments: you won't regret it!
