The high valley community at the meeting of the roads from the Valtellina to the Vinschgau (Umbrail) and the Engadine.
From the tenth to the thirteenth century Bormio fought to keep its communal self-government against the bishops of Como and Chur; the Chur claims were pressed by the Matsch advocates. The oldest act in its archive is the agreement of 1185 by which the commune recognised the rights of the advocate Egino of Matsch and he gave up any further claims. In 1201 Bormio will make peace with Como and bind itself to pay Como a yearly tribute; it rebels against Como in 1247.
It is the northernmost pieve of the diocese of Como.
Who holds it
- Name
- Not pinned (the commune's officers are not named for 1200)
- Title
- The commune of Bormio
- Confidence
- medium
Lord in 1200
The commune of Bormio governs itself; the Matsch (Venosta) are its advocates by the agreement of 1185 with Egino of Matsch; the bishops of Como (its diocese) and Chur both claim lordship. Bormio is not yet bound to the commune of Como: that comes with the peace of 1201.
How things stand that morning
Self-governing under the Matsch advocacy; Como's pressure grows toward the peace of 1201.
Charter
Agreement with Egino of Matsch (1185); peace with Como (1201, likely course).
Council
The commune of Bormio (organs not named in the sources read); its court met under the covered square called the Kuèrc (twelfth century in origin).
Trade and crafts
Transit trade over the passes to the Vinschgau and the Engadine; an iron mine was working in the Valle di Fraele in the twelfth century.
What the year holds
What happened next, if nothing in play changes it. Each event carries what it depends on and what would stop it.
- 1201Bormio makes peace with Como and owes Como a yearly tribute (census).Depends on: Como's pressure on Bormio in 1200 and no rescue from the Matsch or the bishop of Chur. Stopped by: A Matsch or Chur intervention, or Como's defeat.
Where the sources disagree
Evidence: Bormio's own archive register (Martinelli Perelli 1977) and the HLS.
Sources and studies
Last revised 4 November 2026. Published 4 November 2026. Suggest a correction on the OMNIA Discord.