Legnano

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

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.

Transport

The town is served by Legnano railway station.

People

Antonio Bernocchi, historical patron of Legnano city.
John of Legnano, jurist
Bonvesin da la Riva, teacher of (Latin) grammar and a notable Lombard poet and writer
Gioacchino Colombo, automobile engine designer.
I Legnanesi, acting company founded in 1949 by actor Felice Musazzi who plays comedy acts in legnanese dialect.
Gianfranco Ferré, fashion designer.
Finley (band), rock band.
Antonella Clerici, television host and journalist.
Matteo Darmian, professional footballer for Manchester United and the Italy national football team

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

Ebolowa, Camerun, since 1964
Colombes, France, since 1964

References

↑ "Dolce & Gabbana" (in Italian). Dizionario di Economia e Finanza – Enciclopedia italiana. Retrieved November 17, 2014.
↑ "Dolce&Gabbana – Offices". Dolcegabbana.com. Retrieved 2013-03-26.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Legnano.

Legnano travel guide from Wikivoyage
(Italian) Legnano official website

Comuni of the Metropolitan City of Milan

This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the Wednesday, April 27, 2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.