Roppolo

Roppolo
—  Comune  —
Comune di Roppolo
Roppolo Location of Roppolo in Italy
Coordinates: 45°25′N 8°4′E / 45.417°N 8.067°E / 45.417; 8.067Coordinates: 45°25′N 8°4′E / 45.417°N 8.067°E / 45.417; 8.067
Country	Italy
Region	Piedmont
Province	Province of Biella (BI)
Frazioni	Comuna, Morzano, Roppolo Castello, Salomone
Area
– Total	8.7 km2 (3.4 sq mi)
Elevation	307 m (1,007 ft)
Population (Dec. 2004)
– Total	907
– Density	104.3/km2 (270/sq mi)
Time zone	CET (UTC+1)
– Summer (DST)	CEST (UTC+2)
Postal code	13883
Dialing code	0161

Roppolo is a municipality in the Province of Biella in the Italian region Piedmont, located about 50 km northeast of Turin and about 15 km south of Biella. As of 31 December 2004, it had a population of 907 and an area of 8.7 km².^[1] It contains the frazioni (subdivisions, mainly villages and hamlets) Comuna, Morzano, Roppolo Castello, and Salomone.

Roppolo borders the following municipalities: Alice Castello, Cavaglià, Cerrione, Dorzano, Salussola, Viverone, Zimone.

The country's history has its roots already principals prehistoric, present throughout the viveronese. We witness the first signs of the first settlements by the Romans of Ottone I, during the battles of the 10th century, and where it is likely it was also built the first fortified structure, which is now the Castle.

Roppolo is also a step in the foothills of the famous route named Via Francigena.

After the Roman era, Roppolo became a feud. The fort on the hill was purchased by Aimone family of Cavaglià then sold to Lomello's.

In 1225 it was bought by the counts Bichieri of Vercelli, who rebuilt it. The Guala-Bichier dynasty were prestige for them was a monk built the house of S. Margherita of Roppolo flat town zone, which also served as military hospital during the plague, near the noble villa Rampone of the 14th century, and the church of the dominican nun blessed Emilia Bichier Vercelli (1238-1314).

After, the castle and the town then passed to the longobardi named Visconti in 1315.

Roppolo and Viverone was brutally conquered by the famous mercenary warrior Facino Cane.

After this period, the castle was used as quarters for the nobles, a singular history of this period is that of the "walled up alive"; during the last century restoration of the castle were found behind a wall the remains of a person inside an armour. The bones were attributed to Bernardo di Mazzé; some documents relate about a dispute, apparently had been walled up alive by his rival Luigi Valperga di Caluso-Masino, around 1459.

Few years later, next to the Castle, was also built the present Church of San Michele. Same period the church of San Vitale.

The church in the centro of Roppolo is named B.V. Mary of the Rosary and was certified in 1190, annexed to S. Maria, church of the "Cura" (cemetery of Viverone). The church B.V. Mary of the Rosary was became independent in 1788, and then restored. The same style is the bell tower, rebuilt entirely between 1830 and 1850.

Demographic evolution

References

1. ^ All demographics and other statistics: Italian statistical institute Istat.

This article on a location in the Province of Biella is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.v · d · e