Valenza
Valenza: a city on the banks of the Po River
Hello everyone! Today I want to talk to you about Valenza, a charming city in the province of Alessandria, located on the right bank of the Po River. With its 18,239 inhabitants, Valenza is not a very large city, but it is still an important center in the province of Alessandria thanks to its essential services such as the hospital and high schools.
Brief history of Valenza
The history of Valenza dates back to the Ligurians era, but it was conquered by the Romans in the 2nd century BC. Over the centuries, it underwent different dominations, including the Longobard, Frankish and Milanese ones. The city was also the scene of various battles, such as the sieges of 1635 and 1656. In the 18th century, Valenza came under the control of the Savoy, until its annexation to the Kingdom of Italy in 1861.
The legend of Colombina
According to popular legend, the city of Valenza was born thanks to a Colombina. In fact, tradition has it that the inhabitants of the area had previously dispersed among the hills of Astigliano. Looking for a place to settle, they decided to follow the flight of a Colombina, which landed precisely in the area where the city now stands. Since then, the area was called "Colombina" in honor of the bird that guided the inhabitants of Valenza.
Valenza in cinema
Valenza also has a connection to the world of cinema. In 1955, several scenes of the film "War and Peace" were shot on the banks of the Po River. A historical film based on Lev Tolstoy's novel of the same name, directed by King Vidor and Mario Soldati. For the production, wooden bridges were built, which were later demolished for the shooting of the Battle of Beresina.
In conclusion, Valenza is a city full of history and tradition, which certainly deserves a visit to discover all its beauty. I hope I have piqued your interest and wish you many wonderful travel experiences!
