Hebrew-English Guide to Soncino

The Spanish succession war, in 1707, delivered Soncino to the Au- strian rule that adopted reforms that caused serious damages to cul- ture, with the suppression of numerous religious orders, the closure of churches and the loss of a huge book property. In 1796 Napoleon occupied the village and an earthquake, occurred in 1802, caused serious damages. With the decline of the Napoleonic Empire, Soncino faced a new economic phase linked to the agricul- tural activity, to the silkworm breeding and to the textile production. At the end of the XIX century Soncino had five silk mills. On 14th June 1859 the Austrians abandoned Soncino and the village became part of Regno d’Italia. In 1876 Massimiliano Cesare Stampa, the last marquis of Soncino, left the property of the fortress to the Town Hall. 9 THE HISTORY OF SONCINO