Cesate
Discover Cesate, a town rich in history and nature
Cesate, also known as Cesate Milanese, is a town located approximately 17 kilometers north of the center of Milan, with a population of around 14,188 inhabitants. The territory of Cesate is predominantly flat and covered in forests and heathlands, which have been identified by the European Union as an area of community interest. In this article, we explore the physical geography and history of this fascinating town.
Physical geography
Territory
The town of Cesate is characterized by a flat territory with a large part of the area covered in forests and heathlands. These ecological zones have been identified by the European Union as sites of community interest. The town is located at the northernmost extremity of the metropolitan city of Milan, bordering the province of Varese to the west and the province of Monza and Brianza to the east. It is situated between the A8 motorway and the State Roads 233 Varesina and 527 Bustese. The municipal territory is predominantly urbanized or occupied by the Parco delle Groane, while the rest of the territory is destined for artisanal and agricultural activities.
Urban center
Starting from the second half of the 20th century, the historic center of Cesate underwent massive expansion that brought it into contact with the towns of Garbagnate Milanese and Caronno Pertusella. However, it remains separated from Solaro and Limbiate, respectively, by a vast area of fields and the Parco delle Groane.
Localities and hamlets
The town of Cesate has only one hamlet, Cascina Selva, and one locality, Cascina Biscia, which until 1985 was also a hamlet. Until 1966, the urban center of Cascina Palazzetta, to the northwest of the town center, was also considered a hamlet.
Origin of the name
The original name of the town was "Cixate," as is apparent from the manuscript "Notitia Cleri Mediolanensis" by Goffredo da Bussero. Despite several hypotheses being put forward, the etymology of the name is not yet certain. In the 18th century, the name Cixate began to be italianized into "Cisate," and starting from the second half of the 19th century, the name evolved into "Cesate."
History
According to some studies, Cesate was founded in the 1st century BC during the conquest of Gaul as a Gallic outpost consisting of several military dwellings around the Parco delle Groane. During the Middle Ages, Cesate was constituted by a group of farmhouses surrounded by forests that suffocated the little arable land, causing poverty. The inhabitants therefore began to abandon the town due to the poor living conditions and the harsh tributes that the feudal lord demanded.
During the Late Middle Ages, Cesate was under the complete jurisdiction of the Pieve di Bollate, where the provost resided with the chapter of canons, who lived together for the whole week and on Sundays visited the different towns to celebrate mass and care for religious instruction. With the advent of Christianity, three new churches were built: one dedicated to the Madonna, one dedicated to Alessandro di Bergamo, and one to Martino di Tours.
In summary, Cesate is a town in Milan located in the north of the city. The territory is flat and covered in forests, while part of it is urbanized or used for artisanal and agricultural activities. The urban center extends between the towns of Garbagnate Milanese and Caronno Pertusella. The history of the town dates back to the time of the conquest of Gaul and has undergone several changes over the centuries. Cesate has a rich history and an extremely interesting territory that is worth exploring.
