Siege of Alessandria (1174)

Timeline

1. 1174Alessandria · Province of AlessandriaDuring Frederick I's fifth Italian expedition, imperial and Ghibelline allied forces surrounded this anti-imperial fortress named after Pope Alexander III, cutting its links with Milan.
2. 1174–1175Alessandria defenses · Province of AlessandriaThe siege lasted nearly a year; defenders relied on walls and marshy terrain to resist imperial siege engines, while Milan and allied cities attempted relief, and the pope called on the Christian world to attention the freedom of northern Italian cities.
3. 1175Alessandria · Province of AlessandriaFacing prolonged supply difficulties and unyielding defense, Frederick I finally lifted the siege and withdrew north; this defeat severely damaged imperial prestige and is regarded as an important symbolic victory for the Lombard urban autonomy movement.