Meda, Lombardy

Meda
Comune
Città di Meda

Coat of arms
Meda
Location of Meda in Italy
Coordinates: 45°40′N 09°10′E / 45.667°N 9.167°E / 45.667; 9.167
Country Italy
Region Lombardy
Province Monza and Brianza (MB)
Government
 • Mayor Luca Santambrogio
Area
 • Total 8.31 km2 (3.21 sq mi)
Elevation 221 m (725 ft)
Population (30 November 2017)
 • Total 23,448
 • Density 2,800/km2 (7,300/sq mi)
Demonym(s) Medesi
Time zone UTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST) UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code 20821
Dialing code 0362
Patron saint Sts. Aimus and Vermundus
Saint day September 8
Website Official website

Meda is a city and comune in the province of Monza and Brianza, located in the northern Italian region of Lombardy, close to Milan and Como. It is a center of furniture production.

Meda is served by Meda railway station.

History

Meda's history is linked to the history of its convent and of its foundation. From the latter's location on a mound (Latin: meta) stems the town's name.

According to legend, the Saints Aimo and Vermund, counts of Turbigo, were attacked by two wild boars while hunting. To save their lives, they swore to God that, if saved, they would build a convent right there. The convent was built around 780 near an old little church dedicated to St. Vittore. In order to be free from the control of the new priorate, the people of Meda built another church dedicated to St. Mary and St. Sebastian. The quarrels between the inhabitants and the convent ended on 10 December 1252, when the Prioress Maria da Besozzo gave up all her political, administrative and economic power on the village.

Later the municipal territory was held by the Visconti and Sforza families until, in the 16th century, it fell under the control of Spain and then of Napoleon. Meda later came under the power of the House of Habsburg and then, after the Second War of Italian Independence, became part of the Kingdom of Italy.

The Meda territory, on the border with the town of Seveso, was the location of the ICMESA factory, which became known in 1976 for the release of a dioxin cloud, which affected many towns of the Brianza. This event is known as the “Seveso disaster” (Disastro di Seveso).

Meda received the honorary title of city with a presidential decree on 4 September 1998.

Main sights

  • Church of San Vittore (1520), housing a series of frescoes by Bernardino Luini and his school.
  • Villa Antona Traversi, a transformation of a medieval monastery by architect Leopoldo Pollack.

People


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