Mortara (town)
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Mortara is a town in the region of Lombardy, Italy. It lies in the district known as Lomellina, a rice-growing agricultural center. The town's origins date to the fourth century, and the name originated in 773, when it was the theatre for an extremely bloody battle between the Forces of Charlemagne and Desiderius, last king of the Lombards. During the Middle Ages, it was a pilgrimage center, as it lay on a major pilgrimage route, and its economy was linked to those of Vigevano and Pavia. Its Gothic cathedral is dedicated to St. Lawrence and was built between 1375 and 1380.
According to Paul Deacon the name of the city came after the bloody battle between Franks and Lombards: the name Mortara comes form the Latin Ara Mortis, meaning Altar of death. After the battle, and the siege of the nearl Pavia Charles become the ruler of the Italian Peninsula. Mortara’s capture in 1849 by the Austrians led to the Battle of Novara.
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