Legnano

Legnano
Comune
Comune di Legnano

Coat of arms

Legnano within the Province of Milan
Legnano
Location of Legnano in Italy
Coordinates: 45°36′N 08°55′E / 45.600°N 8.917°E / 45.600; 8.917Coordinates: 45°36′N 08°55′E / 45.600°N 8.917°E / 45.600; 8.917
Country Italy
Region Lombardy
Metropolitan city Milan (MI)
Government
 • Mayor Gianbattista Fratus
Area
 • Total 17 km2 (7 sq mi)
Elevation 199 m (653 ft)
Population (30 November 2011)
 • Total 60,282
 • Density 3,500/km2 (9,200/sq mi)
Demonym(s) Legnanesi
Time zone UTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST) UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code 20025
Dialing code 0331
Patron saint St. Magnus
Saint day November 5
Website Official website

Legnano [leɲˈɲaːno] (Lombard: Legnàn) is an Italian town and comune with 60,282 inhabitants in the north-westernmost part of the Metropolitan City of Milan, about 20 kilometres (12 mi) from central Milan. It is crossed by the Olona river, and it is the 13th town for inhabitants in Lombardy.

Thanks to the historic Battle of Legnano, Legnano is the only town, in addition to Rome, named in the Italian national anthem. Every year Legnanesi remember this battle with the Palio di Legnano.

Geography

Legnano is along the Olona river. The ground is mainly composed of pebbles, gravel, sand and clay. It was once covered by a thin layer of humus, unsuitable for the growing of woods, so it was mostly heathland.

History

Castle of Legnano. On the left, the River Olona.

The most ancient proofs a settlement in Legnano dates to pre-historic times, to the so-called Remedello culture (21st–19th centuries BC). Later it was a Celtic centre, conquered by the Romans in the 1st century BC.

In the Middle Ages, Legnano was the location of the battle in which Emperor Frederick I was defeated by the Lombard League (1176).

From 1820 to 1915, with the introduction of numerous textile and mechanical companies, the town grew from an agricultural to an industrial centre. Most of the textile industries closed in the 1960s: today the services sector is the most thriving one.

Main sights

  • Basilica of San Magno (early 16th century) – The church was designed by Giovanni Antonio Amadeo or one of his followers. The interior, on the Greek cross plan, contains an altar by Bernardino Luini which it is said to have been begun by Bramante or, more likely, by Amadeo or Antonio da Lonate.
  • Church of Sant'Ambrogio, known from 1389. It was rebuilt in the 17th century.
  • Castle of Legnano, enlarged by the Torriani in 13th century re-using a former convent. Later it was owned by the Lampugnani family.
  • The monument to the "Warrior of Legnano" (1900), often mistakenly attributed to Alberto da Giussano, in the Piazza Monumento.
  • "Palazzo Leone da Perego"- It is a XIII century building located in the centre of the town. It was rebuilt in 1898.

Transport

The town is served by Legnano railway station.

People

Sports

Club Sport Founded League
A.C. Legnano Football 1913 Eccellenza
Legnano Basket Knights Basketball 1966 Serie A2
Frogs Legnano American Football 1977 Serie A
Baseball Softball Club Legnano Baseball and Softball 1950 Serie A1 (softball); Serie C1 (baseball)

Culture

Together with Rome, Legnano is the only other city mentioned in the Italian national anthem by Goffredo Mameli.

"Legnano" is a brand of lightweight racing bicycles, named for the city in which they were produced. Notably, celebrated racers Gino Bartali and Fausto Coppi rode Legnano bicycles.

The fashion house Dolce & Gabbana was founded[1] and has its administrative offices in Legnano.[2]

Twin towns

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Dolce & Gabbana" (in Italian). Dizionario di Economia e Finanza – Enciclopedia italiana. Retrieved November 17, 2014.
  2. ↑ "Dolce&Gabbana – Offices". Dolcegabbana.com. Retrieved 2013-03-26.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.