Bertonico
Bertonico: a little-known Lombard gem worth discovering
If you're looking for a peaceful place away from the hustle and bustle of the city, Bertonico is the place for you. This town in the province of Lodi, with just over a thousand inhabitants, offers ancient monuments and rural charm.
History
Bertonico has an ancient history, and its streets tell tales of past eras. For example, during Roman times, a secondary branch of the Mediolanum-Placentia road passed through the town. The village subsequently belonged to various entities, including the bishop of Lodi and the Brolo and Santa Caterina hospitals in Milan. In 1458, it passed to the Ospedale Maggiore in Milan, which erected the Bertonico administrative palace, now a monument of historical and artistic interest.
Monuments and places of interest
If you love ancient monuments, Bertonico is for you. The Church of San Clemente, built in the mid-sixteenth century, contains a splendid painting by Giovan Battista Trotti, also known as Malosso. The Chapel of San Rocco, a small building from the sixteenth century, has a popular-style fresco. For art lovers, there's the Arsenale of the Ospedale Maggiore in Milan, which hosts the Naturarte art exhibition, an event that explores the connection between man and nature.
Society
The population of Bertonico is just over a thousand inhabitants. As of December 31, 2008, there were 148 foreigners living in the town, accounting for 12.80% of the population. The most represented nationalities are India, Romania, Albania, Serbia and Egypt.
Culture
Bertonico has a kindergarten and a primary school, which are part of the R. Fusari Castiglione d'Adda Comprehensive Institute. The Naturarte art exhibition takes place at the Arsenale of the Ospedale Maggiore in Milan, created to showcase the work of Giuliano Mauri and then continued with art exhibitions related to nature themes.
Anthropogenic Geography
The territory of Bertonico offers various inhabited locations, including Cascina Brusada, Colombina, Cascina Gora, Monticelli, Cascina Piva, and Cascina Taccagna.
Economy
Bertonico is a predominantly agricultural town, with about twenty companies specialized in the production of cereals and forage, as well as in the breeding of pigs and cattle for meat and milk. The labor force not employed in agriculture gravitates toward Milan and Lodi.
In conclusion, if you're looking for a little-known Lombard gem off the beaten path, Bertonico could be the right place for you. Here, you can enjoy the tranquility of rural life and visit ancient and impressive monuments.
