Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
313
Roman Emperor Constantine issues the Edict of Milan, declaring Christianity the official state reli-
gion. St Ambrose becomes Bishop of Milan 61 years later.
568
Germanic tribes known as Lombards (or Langobards) occupy northern Italy, making Pavia their cap-
ital and giving the Po valley its present name.
773-74
Charlemagne leads Frankish troops into Italy, defeats the Lombards and has himself crowned with
the legendary Iron Crown. The Lombards pay homage to him at Pavia.
800
Having conquered and Christianised Friuli, Saxony, Swabia, Bavaria, Hungary, Gascony and north-
ern Spain, Pope Leo III crowns Charles Holy Roman Emperor on Christmas Day.
1098
Milan becomes a
comune,
an increasingly independent city-state. Bergamo, Brescia, Como, Cremona,
Mantua and Verona follow suit in the ensuing 30 years.
1176
Defeated by the Lombard League, Frederick Barbarossa sues for peace. Peace between Frederick and
Pope Alexander III is achieved in 1177 with the Treaty of Venice.
1329
Azzone Visconti becomes the first strongman of Milan. In his 10 years as Lord of Milan he annexes
Bergamo, Como, Crema, Cremona, Lecco, Lodi and Vercelli, among other territories.
1386
Work begins on Milan's Duomo. The Candoglia marble quarries on Lake Maggiore are requisitioned
in perpetuity and new canals are built to transport materials to the city.
1450
Soldier of fortune Francesco Sforza, married to Filippo Maria Visconti's daughter, grabs power in Mil-
an. He aims to maintain a balance of power within Italy and keep the French out.
