Alessandria

Alessandria was a fortified commune founded by the Lombard League in 1168. In 1337 it remained a republic, divided by Guelph and Ghibelline feuds.

After Gamenario in 1345 the city came under the protection of Luchino Visconti of Milan. A revolt in 1403 made the condottiero Facino Cane its lord, but it returned to the Visconti after his death in 1412. Savoy acquired Alessandria in 1707 and built its star-shaped citadel; France annexed it after Marengo in 1800, and Savoy recovered it in 1814.