Binasco
Welcome to Binasco: a brief tour of the Milanese municipality
Hello everyone! Today I'm taking you on a discovery tour of Binasco, a municipality in the metropolitan city of Milan in Lombardy.
Society
Binasco currently has 7101 inhabitants and has had an interesting demographic evolution over the centuries. In 1751, the population was only 598 people, while in 1881, there were already 1551. Moreover, the city also has a small community of foreigners, mainly from Romania, Albania, Ukraine, China, and Egypt.
History and toponym
The toponym of Binasco has Latin origins and could derive from the term "Benanu" with the Celtic-Ligurian suffix "-ascus". Other theories, instead, link it to the Latin word "bini" which means "double", referring to its equidistant position between the fiefdoms of Milan and Pavia. In the past, Binasco hosted several pastures and its castle was dominated by several noble families, including Castaldo, Mendoza, Biumi, and Recalcati. However, the most important period for the city was that of the Visconti lordship, with Filippo Maria Visconti as the protagonist.
During Napoleon Bonaparte's Italian campaign, Binasco suffered damage and looting from the Napoleonic troops due to the gathering of rebels and the killing of some French soldiers. About 200 people were slaughtered as a reprisal, an episode documented by the painter Giuseppe Pietro Bagetti following the French troops.
What to see in Binasco
The Castle
The Castle of Binasco is the main attraction of this city. Built in Gothic style, it was the center of domination of the noble families that succeeded each other over the centuries. Today, it hosts cultural events and temporary exhibitions.
The Church of Santa Maria Assunta
The Church of Santa Maria Assunta is a beautiful example of Romanesque architecture. Located in the center of Binasco, this church dates back to the twelfth century and preserves many interesting frescoes.
The Park Bosco delle Querce
The Park Bosco delle Querce is a green area within walking distance from the center of Binasco. It offers a beautiful walk in the green, with paths suitable for all ages.
The Sanctuary of Santa Maria alla Fontana
The Sanctuary of Santa Maria alla Fontana is a very important place of worship for the community of Binasco. We recommend visiting it during religious festivals to fully experience the spirituality of the place.
What to eat in Binasco
Binasco is famous for its traditional cuisine. If you are here, we recommend trying the "paniscia", a tasty rice soup with beans and meat, or the "cassoeula", a dish of pork cooked with savoy cabbage. For dessert, we recommend trying the "canestrelli", typical cookies from Binasco.
How to get to Binasco
Binasco is located a few kilometers from the center of Milan and is easily reachable by car or train. If you are traveling by car, you can take the A7 motorway towards Genoa and exit at Binasco. By train, instead, you can take the S13 line from Milan's Central Station and get off at the Binasco station.
I hope this brief tour has piqued your interest and made you want to discover Binasco in person. Let us know in the comments if you have already had the opportunity to visit this city and what your experiences have been!
