Not yet a town on 1 January 1200 (borgo franco of 1242).
The ground is Vercelli's, held by its castle of San Lorenzo (1185-87) facing the Biandrate counts' Valsesia.
Who holds it
- Name
- Vercelli's castellan at San Lorenzo, not named
- Title
- The commune of Vercelli (castle of San Lorenzo)
- Since
- 1185-87
- Confidence
- medium
it.wikipedia Gattinara.
Lord in 1200
Not a town in 1200: the free borough is founded by Vercelli only in 1242, gathering the hill hamlets of Loceno, Locenello, Mezzano and Gattinaria and the people of Rado. Vercelli already holds the fortified castle of San Lorenzo, built in 1185-87 round an old parish church to guard the entrance to the Valsesia.
How things stand that morning
Vercelli's frontier castle district; no town yet.
Charter
None in 1200.
Communities
The hamlets of Loceno, Locenello, Mezzano, Gattinaria and Rado (castle on the road to Vercelli).
Walls and castle
Vercelli's castle of San Lorenzo (1185-87).
Trade and crafts
Vineyards and the Sesia road.
Where the sources disagree
Evidence: it.wikipedia gives the foundation and the castle.
Sources and studies
Last revised 4 November 2026. Published 4 November 2026. Suggest a correction on the OMNIA Discord.