Pope Adrian IV
Probably founded during the 10th century, and simply called Villa, the town was partially enfeoffed to the bishops of Tortona by Pope Adrian IV (Nicholas Breakspear). In 1413 Filippo Maria Visconti enfeoffed it to Guglielmo d’Alvernia. The village remained with the Alvernias for 167 years, which explains the “alvernia” part of the placename.