Bornasco
Welcome to Bornasco: history and curiosities of a town in Lombardy
Bornasco is a beautiful town in the province of Pavia in Lombardy, located in the northern Pavese, on the right bank of the southern Olona. Today we want to introduce you to this splendid location, telling you about the origins of its name, its historical past, symbols, monuments and curiosities.
Origin of the name
The name Bornasco reflects the dialectal expression "burnàsc", which could refer to the Latin personal name "Burrenus" or "Burnum". One of the most credited theories suggests that Bornasco derives from the name of the ancient owner of the lands on which the town was built, a certain Burinus. In short, we do not know for certain where the name Bornasco comes from, but one thing is certain: it is a name that resonates strongly throughout Lombardy.
History
The territory of Bornasco has been inhabited since Roman times, as evidenced by the oldest place in the area: Settimo. The territory was always under the jurisdiction of Pavia until the Visconti era, when the Vicariate of Settimo was established, under the direct jurisdiction of Milan. The Vicariate included the territories of the current municipalities of Bornasco and Zeccone and was feuded to various families, including the Barbavara, Mendoza, Manrique de Lara and finally to the Secco-Comneno.
The municipality of Bornasco was officially established in the fifteenth century, as part of the Vicariate of Settimo. Over the centuries, Bornasco developed as an important agricultural and commercial center, eventually becoming an important town in the province of Pavia.
In 1872, the municipalities of Gualdrasco, Corbesate and Misano Olona were aggregated to Bornasco to form the municipality that we know today. Between 1928 and 1947, the municipality of Zeccone was also merged into Bornasco.
Symbols
The Coat of Arms of Bornasco was granted by royal decree on October 2, 1930, and represents an eagle holding an olive branch in its claw. The gonfalon, granted by Presidential Decree on March 4, 2002, is a blue flag.
Monuments and places of interest
Bornasco is a town rich in monuments and places of interest. The Parish Church of the Blessed Virgin Assumed into Heaven is one of the main attractions of the town. Built in the early 1600s, the church took on its current appearance only in the 1700s. The parish, on the other hand, was erected in 1609.
Another place of interest is the Castle Barbavara, granted by Gian Galeazzo Visconti in fief to Francesco Barbavara, which still dominates the main square of the town.
Society
Demographic evolution
The population of Bornasco has increased over the centuries: in 1751 it had only 210 inhabitants, in 1780 the inhabitants were 770, in 1853 the population had dropped to 163, only to rise again to 211 in 1859. Today the municipality has 2656 inhabitants.
Ethnic groups and foreign minorities
As of December 31, 2010, foreign citizens residing in Bornasco were 142, of whom 70 were European, 35 were African, 22 were American and 15 were Asian.
Conclusions
Bornasco is a little gem in the province of Pavia, a town rich in history, monuments and places of interest. If you are looking for a destination for a trip or a journey in the area, Bornasco is definitely a location to consider. Come and discover the beauty and history of this Lombard town!
