Comune Ticineto

piazza della Meridiana, 1 - 15041 Ticineto (AL)
Tel. +39 (0142) 411.117
Fax: +39 (0142) 411.600
E-mail: ragioneria@comune.ticineto.al.it
http://www.comune.ticineto.al.it/

There is no exact information on the foundation date of Ticineto, but tradition has it that it was once called "Villaro" and that it stood north of the current town, towards Frassineto, around a Roman farm, whose remains were discovered only several decades ago.

A few historians of Pavia, including Chiesa, author of "Vita di San Siro", believes that Ticineto was previously called "Villario" and that it was San Siro di Galilea, first Bishop of Pavia, who lived around 50 AD, to convert the inhabitants to Christianity and to change its name to "Ticineto" a diminutive of "Ticinum" ancient name for the city of Pavia.
Another historian from Pavia claims that Ticineto was almost surely a colony of the "Ticinesi", namely the ancient Pavesi.
Saletta, a historian of Casale, says that the name would be attributed to the fact that the area of Ticineto was populated by many tasso trees (taxum in Latin yew in English) from which came "Taxinetum" and then Ticineto.

In any case it seems certain that Ticineto already existed from the 10th century AD in the place where it currently stands, that it was part of the Marquisate of Breme and that it was a "curtis", namely an important place where justice was administered by the Emperor or his Vassals.
The presence of the fort and imposing castle, situated east of piazza F.lli Tabucchi, and the Church of S. Andrea (the current Annunciata) governed by the canons of Mortara and ancient parish church of Ticineto, bear witness to its importance.
The first document in which the name Ticineto is used, is the diploma of the Emperor Otto I dated 25 January 964. In it the Sovereign transfers many lands, including Breme, Frassineto and Ticineto, to Count Aimone, his beloved and faithful vassal, head of the Counts of Cavaglià and related to Arduino d'Ivrea.

(photos and texts taken from the municipality website)