Villanova Monferrato: sights, history and trails

Archaeological findings testify to the ancient history of the village with human presence dating back to Roman times. From 1198 it is attested the use of the name Villanova (with variant Vilanova (only one "l") e Villenove), a probable medieval origin dating back to the 6th century. Going back in time again, the village was born, subjected to the bishops of Vercelli, as a union of houses to form an agglomeration in 1136 probably to manage the forests at the confluence of the Sesia. The aristocratic families of Vercelli could boast rights over agricultural land, so much so that in 1197 Vercelli established a "franco-village" also for the purpose of expansion to the detriment of the Monferrato marquisate. For this purpose, 18 peasant families in 1212 were paid 10 lire to move and stay in Villanova to remove land and economically damage Candia Lomellina and Cozzo^[4](towns dominated at the time by the Pavia Confalonieri), although Lomellina has always sought independence from Pavia.

To reaffirm the possession of the bishops of Vercelli there exist imperial diplomas^[5] signed by Frederick I and Henry IV dating back to 1159 and 1191.

In 1215 vercellesi and alexandrians They allied themselves against the farmhouses beginning the bloody disputes between the feudal lords, in fact Villanova was involved in the feudal struggles, being in zones of territorial borders, of the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries among the Lords of Monferrato, of Milan and Vercelli, subsequently, in 1335 it passed under the dominion of the Visconti.

For the country it is an important date on 1407 when Teodoro Paleologo cedes to Filippo Maria Visconti the city of Vercelli in exchange for other territories including Villanova. In 1474 the village passed under the diocese of Casale Monferrato. In 1536 the Gonzaga domain began. In 1613, during the First War for Monferrato Villanova became a stopover for the monferrine troops who fought sourly the Savoy (at that time represented by Vittorio Amedeo and Thomas).

In 1616 it was plundered by the Savoy with the result that this territory was conquered by them. In 1637 there was a further looting with fires by the Spanish. In 1713 Villanova was submissive to the domains of Savoy, except for the Napoleonic occupation.^[6]

Civil architecture

• The municipal building houses a painting by Pier Francesco Guala Madonna with child while blessing Sant'Emiliano and San Bernardino.

• Next to the Town Hall there is the tombstone in memory of Lieutenant General Alessandro Finazzi, born in Villanova Monferrato in 1825 and died in 1905, protagonist of the Crimean War.

Religious architecture

• It preserves the parish of Sant'Emiliano from the 19th century (but dating back to the 7th century) and in front of the municipality, the oratory of the brotherhood of San Michele Arcangelo, dating back to the 16th century, probably on 1648, now auditorium spent in convenient use since 1995 to the Municipality.
• Oratory, former church of San Bernardino with its bell tower, museum.

The town of Villanova Monferrato was the seat of the Bistefani confectionery industry until September 2016, famous at national and international level for the production of characteristic biscuits Krumiri and the Good morning..

The territory, mainly agricultural, produces cereals, rice, vegetables, cattle and sheep.

Villanova has given birth to illustrious personalities such as philosopher and doctor Francesco dal Pozzo (1520-1564)^[8][9], often mistakenly confused with others; the brothers Giovanni Martinotti, doctor and the oenologist and pharmacist Federico.

The city houses the cultural circle Villaviva Association at the parish for conferences, exhibitions and concerts.^[10]

Between 1886 and 1935 the resort was served by a stop of the Vercelli-Casale tramway.

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