At a glance

Type

Town and comune

Period

Settlement traced to the 1st millennium BC; established as a town in 1261

Style

Medieval and industrial-era urban fabric

Location

Alto Milanese, province of Milan, Lombardy, Italy

Overview

Legnano lies in the Alto Milanese and is crossed by the Olona River. With roughly 60,000 residents it ranks among the most populous towns in Lombardy. It is one of only two places named in the Italian national anthem, the other being Rome.

History

Archaeological evidence traces habitation of the hills lining the Olona back to the 1st millennium BC. The town itself was established in 1261. Legnano is celebrated above all for the historic victory of the Lombard League over Emperor Frederick Barbarossa fought near the town, an event commemorated each year by its inhabitants.

What you see

The urban centre preserves a layered fabric of medieval origins overlaid by the growth that came with the textile and mechanical industries of the 19th and 20th centuries. The Olona River threads through the town, and civic life still revolves around the annual commemoration of the medieval battle.

Cultural significance

The Battle of Legnano gave the town a place in Italian national memory, immortalised in the line of the national anthem evoking unity “from the Alps to Sicily.” Each year a major civic festival marks the historic League’s victory.

Practical information

Legnano is an active town with shops, services and museums. For opening hours of specific monuments and museums, check the official municipal website.

Getting there

Legnano sits about 20 kilometres northwest of central Milan and is served by regional rail and road connections from the city. Milan’s airports provide the nearest international gateways.

Sources & resources

Wikipedia: Legnano · More cultural heritage at culturalheritageonline.com