Vellezzo Bellini
History
Vellezzo Bellini is a municipality in the province of Pavia, in the Lombardy region of Italy, with a population of approximately 3,310. The history of this municipality dates back at least to 1116 when Pope Paschal II granted the possessions of Vileggio and Auriglosso, now known respectively as Vellezzo and Origioso, to the Basilica of San Michele Maggiore. However, the first historical mention of Vellezzo Bellini appears in 1190 as "Iovenzano", the ancient name for Giovenzano.
Interestingly, the medieval history of Giovenzano is quite different from that of Vellezzo. While the latter was largely subject to ecclesiastical possessions, Giovenzano was under the control of large noble Milanese and Pavia families until the late sixteenth century, when it belonged almost entirely (80% of the territories) to the Pallavicino di Scipione Marquises. They subsequently elected their residence in the Pallavicino Palace, also known as the Castle of Giovenzano or Giardinone, now privately owned.
In 1742, the Marquis Giovanni Battista Bellini took possession of the territory of Vellezzo, and in honor of the feudal lord, the municipality, with royal decree no. 1998 of 1864, assumed its current denomination of Vellezzo Bellini. Finally, in January 1873, Vellezzo Bellini, Giovenzano, Origioso, and Robecchino were merged into a single municipality (following the R.D 01/11/1872), thus beginning the "modern" history of the municipality of Vellezzo Bellini.
Society
Today, the municipality of Vellezzo Bellini has a population of around 3,310 and has undergone an interesting demographic evolution. For example, in 1861, it had only 1,936 inhabitants, while in the 1930s it reached its peak (3,593). From the 1950s, the population began to decline, reaching a historical low (2,546 inhabitants) in 1991, before gradually rising again.
Administration
The administration of the municipality of Vellezzo Bellini is led by Mayor Graziano Boriotti, elected following the administrative elections in Italy on May 31, 2015, and reconfirmed in the elections on September 20 and 21, 2020. Prior to 1872, the current municipality of Vellezzo Bellini was made up of the three distinct municipalities of Vellezzo Bellini, Giovenzano, and Origioso.
According to the book "Vellezzo Bellini e le sue terre" by Guido Zanaboni, the municipal administration has seen a series of mayors over the years, including Nicola Moro (Vellezzo Bellini), Luigi Vigoni (Origioso), and Giuseppe Servi (Origioso), from 1866 to 1872. As of January 1, 1873, the three municipalities were merged into a single municipality of Vellezzo Bellini, under royal decree 01/11/1872, which abolished Giovenzano and Origioso.
In summary, Vellezzo Bellini is a municipality in the province of Pavia with ancient origins. Its history has been influenced by ecclesiastical and noble possessions and has undergone an interesting demographic evolution. Today, the municipality is led by Mayor Graziano Boriotti.
