History Bobbio

map of bobbio.

known ancients bobium or ebovium, town underwent many settlements neolithic age contemporary one. several archaeological finds testify presence of liguri, boii (gauls of celtic origin), , 4th century bc romans.

but history of bobbio tied existence of abbey founded in 614 irish monk saint columbanus (it. colombano), received district longobard king agilulf.

bobbio abbey (see main article) increased possessions , became 1 of principal seats of culture , religion of northern italy , center of learning during middle ages, , renowned famous scriptorium , library. in 10th century there 700 codices; decline in 15th century led dispersal of library. monastery officially suppressed french in 1803.

this monastery in part model great monastery in umberto eco s novel name of rose.

in 1014 bobbio erected city , episcopal see , surrounded city walls form contea of bobbio.

the city lay in region of liguria in 1230 piacenza conquered bobbio , dominion lasted until 14th century when contea of bobbio passed, first, under rule of malaspina, , under rule of visconti, dukes of milan.

in 1387 city passed dal verme family , formed contea of bobbio , voghera; in 1516 area formed marchesate of bobbio.

the town became part of domains of house of savoy in 1748 after wars of succession , formed province of bobbio.

in 1796 french arrived in italy , 4 years later napoleon suppressed monastery , sold treasures.

from 1815 1859 bobbio , province included department of genoa, passed pavia , in 1923 piacenza.

on 7 july 1944, partisan resistance in italy conquered town, formed republic of bobbio , governed autonomously until crushed germans on 27 august, same year.

the bishopric dates 1014. on 30 september 1986, diocese suppressed , merged archdiocese of genoa. since 1989, bobbio has been united diocese of piacenza form diocese of piacenza-bobbio.