Carugate
Welcome to Carugate
Welcome to Carugate, a town in the metropolitan city of Milan in Lombardy, Italy. With a population of 15,635 people, this town is particularly interesting for its history and commercial activities. You will discover what makes Carugate unique from its origins to its modernity.
Meaning of the Name
The name Carugate has many suggested origins. There are various assumptions regarding the meaning of the name, each suggesting a different reason for the city's name choice. For example, it could derive from "carrucata," "carrivium," "callugate," "el caraga," or "carugol."
History
The first inhabitants of the area where Carugate stands were the Orobi, Liguri, Celts, and Etruscans, later replaced by Roman civilization. After the Romans, the Longobards arrived, converted to Christianity, followed by Barbarossa's invasions. According to tradition, Santa Marcellina, sister of St. Ambrose and Satiro of Milan, lived in Carugate, and the villa where she retired with her sisters to pray became the Order of St. Benedict.
At the beginning of the 20th century, Carugate was primarily engaged in agriculture, including silk processing. However, the advent of synthetic fiber production and the subsequent silk crisis of the 1930s pushed the municipality to seek alternative ways to prosper.
Industrialization and Commerce
After World War II, Carugate became significantly industrialized, with prominent companies in the earthmoving, woodworking, and electronics sectors, and a cooperative of furniture craftsmen. In 1972, a shopping center of the French group "Carrefour," now known as "Carosello," was built. Afterwards, an "IKEA Center" and other department stores settled in the immediate vicinity, pushing the urban expansion of the city.
Carugate is also the second country in Europe, after Barcelona, to adopt the regulations of "eco-housing." The town is known for its attention to the environment, social issues, and human rights, with a lively community seeking to improve the quality of life of its inhabitants.
Monuments and Places of Interest
Carugate boasts many monuments and places of interest. Among these, the church of Santa Maria, which unfortunately lost a fresco by Cesare Procaccini representing the Ascension of the Virgin. You will always be welcome to visit the church.
Villa Gallerani, of sixteenth-century origin, is a sober manor building on the outside and surrounded by a large and dense garden. Inside, there is a frescoed ceiling with polychrome allegorical motifs and hunting and fishing themes. The villa is privately owned, so visits are sporadic.
Conclusions
If you are looking for a pleasant and charming place to visit in Lombardy, Carugate is the right place for you. You will discover the true spirit of the city thanks to its tradition, industrialization, commerce, and its attention to the environment and human rights. Do not hesitate to visit this town, where you will always be welcomed with a very warm welcome.
