Comune Felizzano

piazza Ercole - 15023 Felizzano (AL)
Tel. +39 (0131) 791.877
Fax: +39 (0131) 772.629
E-mail: protocollo@comune.felizzano.al.it
http://www.comune.felizzano.al.it

Its fertile soils in the Tanaro valley merge with the last offshoots of North Monferrato. Felizzano (Felicianum) embeds its roots in Roman times. Its history followed that of Asti: from the Barbarian invasions to Lombard domination, to that of the Franks (5th-9th centuries). In 880, Emperor Charles the Great, the last of the Carolingian dynasty, donates the cortem de feliciano to the Milanese monastery of Sant'Ambrogio, which it will remain subject to until the early 11th century. The power is handed over to the Aleramici, remaining connected to the marquisate of Monferrato- with alternating fortunes - until 1533, when it returns to the Duchy of Milan and is subsequently assigned to the crown of Spain. In 1707, during the war for the Spanish succession, it is annexed to the domains of the Duke of Savoy. In 1799, like the rest of Piedmont, it is occupied by the revolutionary France, to which it will belong until Napoleon's defeat in 1814 to return to the Savoy.
Since the Roman Era, for the entire Middle Ages and until the end of the 17th century, the village was a focal point for communications and traffic between North Monferrato Casalese and South Monferrato Acquese, between Alessandria and Asti, as its territory was crossed by important roads: from the Roman Via Fulvia, to the medieval route to France, to the Monferrato Strada Franca, which from Fubine, through the port of Felizzano on the Tanaro already certified in 1156, led to Bergamasco and to the area of Genoa. It was also a border land between different States, frequently subjected to the transit of armies with weapons, sieges and raids (including the particularly cruel ones of 1230, 1447, 1617, and 1642). Evidence of such ancient history is found in several monuments of religious and civil architecture such as the southern section of the imposing boundary walls which enclosed the town (12th century), the quadrangular tower which dominates the historic center and which acted as the command of the entire defense system (13th century), the parish church of San Michele Arcangelo, with lovely bell tower (13th century).

(Text-excerpt - from the website of the Municipality)