With the end of the Western Roman Empire (476 AD) a series of barbarian invasions from the north began. The area followed in the early Middle Ages the historical movements related to the wars between the Papacy and the Empire and the struggles between Guelphs and Ghibellines, marked by a long series of episodes of destruction and looting. With the end of the Middle Ages, the Novarese area (1308) was disputed between the Viscontis and John the Paleologus, Marquis of Monferrato; the Marquis hired to conquer Novara (1358) the “White Company,” composed of English soldiers of fortune who for several years ravaged the villages of Novarese including Gravellona Toce (1361).
Only in 1395 was Novarese officially granted to the Visconti duchy, which was later succeeded by the Sforza family (1450).
In 1797 Gravellona Toce became part of the Cisalpine Republic; until Napoleon Bonaparte’s return, the Gravellona Toce area was the scene of a series of armed clashes and occupation by Marshal Suvarov’s Russian troops.
From 1805 Gravellona Toce became part of the Kingdom of Italy until the fall of Napoleon; after the Congress of Vienna the Novara area became part of the Savoy possessions, and finally (1861) it became part of the Kingdom of Italy.
Novarese, and thus Gravellona Toce as well, from that time experienced all the historical-political-social events related to the history of Italy: from World War I to the advent of fascism, from World War II to the partisan struggle to postwar reconstruction.
The two world wars resulted in significant losses of Gravellona citizens and a momentary halt in the development of the town. In World War II, in particular, Gravellona Toce was the scene of a major battle between partisans and Nazi-Fascists from September 13 to 15, 1944. The Nazifascists, who garrisoned the town with large and aggressive forces, made Gravellona Toce a nodal center for communication in the area.
On May 1, 1954, pottery fragments were found during excavations for the construction of a house. Thus research began, numerous excavation campaigns were carried out that lasted until 1959, which brought to light numerous burials with associated grave goods, remains of buildings, sections of a Roman road.
Fragments of worked flint from the Neolithic period and the remains of a pile dwelling were also found.
Today Gravellona Toce is much more of a city than it used to be, the number of inhabitants is stable, the influx of people into the town is high, and the shopping centers, services and health services offered by the private sector are a not insignificant attraction and bring economic returns and well-being to the area.
Source : https://www.prolocogravellonatoce.it/storia-di-gravellona-toce.php
