The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1859-06-16
THE TOWN AND FORTRESS OF ALEssANDR1A

AIessandria, or Alexandria, the capital
of the province in Piedmont Of the same
name, and one Of the strongest fortresses
in Europe, is situated III y rich and fertile
plain declining towards the East, G5 miles
by road, 40 miles direct distance, L. s. E.
of Turin; 60 miles by road, and 4S miles
direct distance, S. S. w. of Milan; aud
40 miles direct N. by w. of Genoa; in
lat. a. 54 N, long. 8 3s f.; on the river
bank of the Tanaro. 1t extends across the
narrow marshy tract formed by tho con-
tlucnce Of tho Bormida with that river, and
has an altitude Of 2O3 feet above sea level.
This city-which has been styled tho Bou
levard OF Picdmont-was, until recently,
enclosed on three sides by Il strongly fort
fled wall, while extensive outworks ran
| along the east side of the Tanaro; on the
opposite or west side of that river is the
| citadel, sexagonal work. which is con
ncctcd with the city by means Of covered
stone bridge Of fifteen arches.
On the opposite side of the river it is
sheltered by a chain Of small hills extend
ing from Monte .Caleri eastwar,ls to bold
and beautiful height Il little to the north
east of the city, which is crowned with as
| fine castle and tower. The buildings with
which AIessandria is adorned, are the town
! and government houses, which are situated
in handsome square decorated with tree
the Paazzo. .Gh!!iui, the civil and military
hospitals, the cathedral, six parish churches,
four converts, fourteen hospitals and asy
lums, IN academy of arts, several schools,
and royal College and gymnasium.
In 1906 its population was estimated at
35,2lG; in 1856, its population was 81,
$40, exclusive Of the garrison, amounting
to $500, But, taking in the sixteen sub
urban villages lying without the walls, its
aggregate population in 1855 WAS 3o,204'
1t has some spinning mills, and manufac
torres of silk, linen, cotton and wax can
dies. The central position Of this city with
respect to Milan, Genoa and Turin-its
command Of the Tanaro and Bormida, and
of several Of The most important routes of
communication with the surrounding dis
tricts, render it one of considerable com
mcrcial influence and resort. It's fairs, held
in the end Of April and beginning Of Oc
tobcr, arc among the most important in
Italy.
In November, 1857, railway was
opened from Alessadria to Voghara, whence
it is expected it will be carried OH to Stra
della, in the Duchy of Parma, aud so unite
the Piedmontese lines with the great Cen
trail Italian line, AIessandra will thus form
the ceLtral point Of the great trunk or prin
cipal railway lines Of Sardinia, one of which
passes, by way Of Genoa, across the Ap
PENNIES; the second, by way of Turin, to
Asi and to Parma; and the third, by Va
lenza and Novara, to the Lago ..ago Mag
giore.
Alcssandria was taken ly Storza, Duke
Of Milan, in 1929; sustained an unsucccss
ful siege by the French in 1867, and after
an obstinate resistance, fell itsto their
hands in 1907. The present citadel Was
begun i'll 1880 and finished in 1745. In
1906 it made conditional surrender TO
Bonaparte. In 1909 it fell before the com
bined armies of Austria and Russia, and
after the baltic Of Mareugo, in 1900, was
rcgained by the French, who expended
nearly 5o,ooo,ooof. upon its Notifications
and retained it dntil 1914, when the prov
ince became portion of the Sardin
ian dominion, and the Notifications were to
great extent razed ed.-Fuilertom's Gazet.
cert Of the World.