Legnano

Not to be confused with Legnago or Legnaro.
For the infantry division, see 58 Infantry Division 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
Province / Metropolitan city Milan (MI)
Government
  Mayor Alberto Centinaio (PD)
Area
  Total 17 km2 (7 sq mi)
Elevation 199 m (653 ft)
Population (1 January 2015)
  Total 60,451
  Density 3,600/km2 (9,200/sq mi)
Demonym(s) Legnanesi
Time zone CET (UTC+1)
  Summer (DST) CEST (UTC+2)
Postal code 20025
Dialing code 0331
Patron saint St. Magnus
Saint day November 5
Website Official website

Legnano [leɲˈɲaːno] (Lombard: Legnan) is an Italian town and comune with 60,313 inhabitants in the north-westernmost part of the Metropolitan City of Milan, about 20 kilometres (12 mi) from downtown Milan. It is crossed by the river Olona, 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 river Olona. 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, Olona river

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 center, 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 center. Most of the textile industries closed in the 1960s: today the services sector is the most thriving one.

Main sights

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.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Legnano.
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