Brusimpiano
Discover Brusimpiano: history, symbols and places of interest
Hello everyone! Today we are going to discover Brusimpiano, a small town in Lombardy that overlooks Lake Lugano. With its 1163 inhabitants, Brusimpiano has ancient origins and still preserves many traces of its past. I'll tell you everything you need to know about this charming little village.
Origins of the name
The name Brusimpiano seems to derive from the Greek "bruxino", which means "narrow" or "throat". In fact, the town is located on a peninsula that juts out into Lake Lugano. The area was already inhabited during the Celtic era and then came under the control of the Etruscans and Romans. Over the centuries, it suffered barbarian invasions, until it became a fief of the Rusca, Marliani, Angera, Visconti and finally the Borromeo-Arese and Litta.
History
During the communal age, Brusimpiano belonged to the Della Torre family and then to the Visconti, who made it their fiefdom. Later, the town passed to the Borromeo-Arese and Litta. With the Battle of Marengo, feudal privileges ended and a process of progressive communal autonomy began. In 1757, Giorgio Maria Martinelli, founder of the Oblati Missionari di Rho, was born in Brusimpiano. During the Risorgimento, Garibaldi stopped in Brusimpiano before reaching Lugano.
The first mayor of Brusimpiano was Dante Parini, a renowned sculptor who was also appointed Honorary Member of the Brera Academy.
Symbols
The coat of arms of Brusimpiano was granted by royal decree in 1929 and represents a red tower, symbol of the Torriani, a fish, in memory of the importance of fishing in the town's economy, and a sheep, in honor of the Ardena fraction, dedicated to pastoralism. The banner was granted in 1980.
Monuments and places of interest
One of the most interesting points of Brusimpiano is its archaeological sites. You can admire the Tomb of the Giant, a Gallo-Roman tomb and a Gallic tomb with the inscription "Kasikos" in North Etruscan characters.
The religious architecture of Brusimpiano is of particular value. The Church of Santa Maria Nascente is an example of Lombard Baroque and features frescoes by the school of Bernardino Luini. Thanks to the work of the parish priest, Canon Don Nicolò Casoni, the church has been restored to its ancient traditional furnishings and vestments. The Church of San Martino, on the other hand, is an ancient parish church of Lombard origin, and preserves an internal plaque that recalls the burial of Lombard knights.
In short, Brusimpiano is a small treasure in the heart of Lombardy, rich in history, culture and traditions. If you have the opportunity, don't hesitate to visit it!
