The name Odalengo clearly has Lombard origins and derives from the term “adelingi,” which referred to nobles descended from ancient families, upon whom the “arimanni”—the members of the army and the popular assembly—depended.
The first written record of Odalengo Grande dates back to March 14, 940. A historical document from that time notes that two noble knights, Gunterius and Vuilelmus de Adelingo, participated in the “Placito” of Asti.
The identification of Audelingo with present-day Odalengo is confirmed by the local dialect, in which the town is still called “Audaleng.”
However, the first settlements in the current municipal area predate this and likely originated from an ancient Roman district. The area lies along the road connecting the important Roman towns of Vardagate and Industria. Furthermore, the Lombards typically settled only in strategic and fortified locations, allowing them to control the territory despite their small numbers.
The coat of arms has a Samnite shape: the upper half features two bands of equal size in the colors of Monferrato (red and silver), while the lower half displays the symbols of the Gozani family: the fleur-de-lis of France on a blue field and a blindfolded Moor’s head on a gold field.
The emblem is topped with a municipal crown and framed by oak and laurel branches, which meet at the bottom and are tied with a tricolor ribbon.
The coat of arms is inspired by that of the Gozani counts (later marquises) of S. Giorgio, Perleto, and Treville. Giovanni Gozani received the fief of Odalengo Grande, with the title of county, on January 19, 1673, from Carlo and Teresio Petrozzani.
Originally from Luzogno on Lake Orta, the Gozani family amassed wealth during the siege of Casale Monferrato—an episode also mentioned by Manzoni in The Betrothed. Although the family mostly lived in their urban palaces, their connection to Odalengo Grande remained strong. Evidence of this is the church of S. Vittore e Quirico, erected in 1786 by Marquis Luigi Gozani, whose coat of arms he placed on the façade.
