Quattordio: sights, history and trails

The origin of the town of Quattordio dates back to Roman times, when in Monferrato and its surroundings a "microcolonization" was developed that was intended to support the existing cities of Alba, Asti, Tortona and Acqui a myriad of small centers identifiable in the current Chieri, Valenza, Libarna and many others. In some of these places there were milestones, consisting of large tombstones, poplars and columns, indicating distances between the main cities. Quattordio owes its name for the presence of the milestone indicating the distance of 14 miles from Asti. It is important to note that in this period the village of Quattordio still does not exist, but this place is known only for the presence of the miliar cyprus which was supposed to be located near the paved front of the current parish church.

On 21 March 967 it can be considered the day that divides prehistory of Quattordio from its true history, knowledge handed down orally by historically accurately documented events. That day, in fact, the birth of Monferrato as a politically bounded territory. The domain of this part of Piemonte passes by Emperor Otto I to Aleramo. It is in the 12th century that this region assumes a somewhat more stable aspect, always using this term with great caution, given the continuous passages of ownership of countries is contrade. In this period two new states are formed, which in a short time acquire territories and military strength: the municipality of Asti, born in 1095, and the municipality of Alessandria, whose foundation dates back to 1168. The fights between these two municipalities, now allies and now enemies, with the Marchesi del Monferrato, fully involve this area and Quattordio in particular.

The municipality of Asti was born on the initiative of his bishop, in whose diocese it was almost certainly understood Quattordio, although there are no official documents that prove its real existence. In the period during which the birth of Alessandria (1168), Quattordio It is located to be a crucifix between astigiani to the west, Alexandrians to the east, mountains to the north, Marchesi Incisa della Rocchetta to the south.

In his second descent, the Barbarossa submits Asti and in the minutes that ratifies the peace reached, signed at Marengo on 15 February 1159, he undertakes to keep under his special podestà the municipality of Asti and forty-six villages surrounding it. Among these, for the first time in an official document, the name of Quattordio. It can certainly be considered that between 1095, the year in which the constitution of the municipality of Asti is established, and the 1379 year of the passage of Asti under the Duchy of Milan, Quattordio is always belonged to the Commune, then become Republic of Asti. The territory of this Republic came west to Carmagnola and Dusino, northwards included Cocconato, Grazzano, Moncalvo, Vignale, coming eastwards included Fubine, Quargnento, Solero and Oviglio, southward even reached the Alps in the upper valley of Tanaro, beyond Ceva and Garessio, finally south-west encuneed in the Langhe and with the ponders. Asti had an extension of approximately double compared to the current province.

In 1526, the lands of Quattordio were invaded by the Spaniards, who burned, plundered and devastated the country. Later, in February 1527, Baron Lodran and Count Alberico Belgioioso sent their lanzichenecchi to Alto Monferrato, asking Regent Marchesa for a contribution of 16 000 golden shields and, since this sum was delayed to reach, they raged on the populations, "devading several villages around Asti". Other looting and devastation fell on the lands of Quattordio and in nearby areas after about a century, around the middle of the 17th century. According to precise data, in fact, the country was plundered and burned by the French in 1642 and nine years later by gallo-piemontesis. The Spanish, now sadly known for their cyclical invasions of destruction and destabilization, conquered Quattordio in 1655, with robberies and extortion cut it and dominated it until 1706, "in which time came into power of the Savoy who held it for peace of Utrecht". The Alexandrian province passed in 1707-1708 under the control of Savoy, by virtue of the sale provided for by the secret treaty concluded with the Imperials.

After the fall of the ancient regime in Piemonte (1798) within the French administrative mesh, Quattordio followed the fortunes of the entire territory of the province of belonging, aggregated, without substantial alterations, to a circumscription of variable extension having by capital Alessandria. It was first of the Tanaro department, created during the first ephemeral period of occupation (1799), and after the return of the French and following the administrative reorganization of 1801, of the Marengo department, surrounded (arrondissement) of Alessandria. Untouched by the subsequent reorganization of 1805, the administrative framework of the district and therefore of Quattordio did not change until the Restoration. After the Napoleonic period, Quattordio returned to be part of the reconstituted province of Alessandria. The country followed the fate of Piemonte first and then of the Kingdom of Italy.

The village is, since the 1930s, home to many factories. These industries have contributed to the demographic development of the last century (1 600 inhabitants). On the municipal territory pass the Turin-Piacenza highway and, albeit marginally, a stretch of railway.

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  Quattordio in a miniature of the Codex Astensis
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  Palazzo Olivazzi in 1900

Among the places of interest are the Church of San Pietro, Palazzo Negri di Sanfront, current headquarters of the municipality, Palazzo Tapparone-Canefri and Palazzo Olivazzi.

Until the 1930s, the economy was mainly agricultural, based on crops of wheat, corn, barley, oats and sunflowers (but near the stream Gaminella You can find poplar forests, destined for the production of timber; there are also some vineyards.
From the 1930s onwards, a flourishing industrial area (chemistry, enamelled cables, induced FIAT) developed over the decades, which will lead Quattordio to be a major industrial pole of the province of Alessandria. With the economic crisis of the early 21st century, Quattordio suffered from a sharp decline in employment.

Below is a table relating to the administrations that have succeeded one another in this municipality.