Rahul Sharma (Editor)

Legnano

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Country
  
Italy

Province / Metropolitan city
  
Milan (MI)

Time zone
  
CET (UTC+1)

Elevation
  
199 m

Postal code
  
20025

Region
  
Lombardy

Demonym(s)
  
Legnanesi

Dialing code
  
0331

Local time
  
Wednesday 4:15 AM


Weather
  
8°C, Wind N at 8 km/h, 66% Humidity

Patron saint
  
Magnus Erlendsson, Earl of Orkney

Legnano [leɲˈɲaːno] (Lombard: Legnàn) 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 central Milan. It is crossed by the River Olona, and it is the 13th town for inhabitants in Lombardy.

Contents

Map of 20025 Legnano, Metropolitan City of Milan, Italy

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

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.

    • 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, rock band.
  • Antonella Clerici, television host and journalist.
  • Matteo Darmian, professional footballer for Manchester United and the Italy national football team

    • 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 and has its administrative offices in Legnano.

    Twin towns

  • Ebolowa, Cameroon, since 1964
  • Colombes, France, since 1964

    • References

    Legnano Wikipedia
    (Text) CC BY-SA


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