Ardena
Ardena: the historic hamlet of Brusimpiano
Ardena, the hamlet of Brusimpiano, is a place with ancient history and mysterious origins. Located on the hill behind the town center, the hamlet had a turning point in its history in the 1970s, when a spiritual phenomenon seemed to animate the bells of the Sanctuary, ringing by themselves.
Origins of the name
The name Ardena, formerly known as "Ardenna", derives from the verb "ardere" (to burn) and refers to the frequent fires that occurred in the wooded area.
History
Ardena is one of the small towns belonging to the Pieve di Val Travaglia, which experienced a period of unrest between the cities of Milan and Como. In 1751, Ardena was inhabited by 139 people, many of whom were shepherds. In 1786, the hamlet became part of the ephemeral Province of Varese, and then frequently changed administrative references in 1791, 1798, and 1799.
With the proclamation of the Kingdom of Italy in 1805, the town had only 84 inhabitants and was depopulated. In the Napoleonic age, in 1809, the municipality of Ardena was first annexed to the neighboring municipality of Brusimpiano, but regained autonomy in 1816 following the establishment of the Lombard-Venetian Kingdom.
In 1853, the town had 107 people, which increased to 113 with the unification of Italy in 1861. In the course of the 20th century, the population drastically decreased due to the allure of large urban centers, leading to the collapse of residences.
In 1921, Ardena had only 96 citizens, so the municipality of Ardena was abolished in 1928 and annexed by fascism to the municipality of Brusimpiano. The sculptor Odoardo Tabacchi, born in Valganna, is originally from Ardena.
Notes
The history of Ardena demonstrates the importance of small historically-rooted communities that resist modernity, despite the increasing allure of urban centers.
Related voices
The Ardena Station connects the hamlet to various destinations.
External links
For more information on Ardena, you can visit the following websites:
-Information on the hamlet of Ardena: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ardena_(Brusimpiano)
-Information on the municipality of Brusimpiano: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brusimpiano
