Until 1928 the village was called Villalbese: Albavilla was formed that year by the merger with neighbouring Carcano, and in 1931 Molena and Ferrera joined the new municipality. The older name records what the place had always been, a villa; in the names it carried down the centuries, Vicus Alpensis and the earlier Villa Albensis, the Alps return, with the idea of a restful stay among mountain pastures. Above the village, the Alpe del Viceré keeps the name of Eugène de Beauharnais, Napoleon's stepson and viceroy of Italy.
A castle stood in the hamlet of Carcano: in 1160 the soldiers still loyal to Frederick Barbarossa shut themselves inside, the emperor marched from Lodi to relieve them, and on 9 August the battle fought around those walls went to the communal militias. The castle fell to the Milanese much later and was destroyed; the church of San Dionigi was built where it had stood. Higher up the village counts 34 crotti, cellars cut into cracks and passages in the rock: cool air rises from the floor and holds the temperature steady all year, so wine, cured meats and cheese were stored there.
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📅 Every year, on 8 May; the first and second weekend of October brings the Festa dei Crotti
Albavilla celebrates Saint Victor the Martyr on 8 May, in the town's main church, dedicated to him. On the first and second weekend of October, the Festa dei Crotti is held along the town's streets, an important gathering moment for the whole area.
Straight-line distances from the town centre. Tap a point to open its page.
The closest destinations covered by our editors, with straight-line distance.
Outside Albavilla, but an easy day trip away.
