Cislago
Cislago: a locality in the province of Varese
Cislago is a municipality in the province of Varese, Lombardy, located halfway between Milan, Como, and Varese. With a population of over 10,000 inhabitants, Cislago is an ancient village whose territory is characterized by a vast flat area, a few kilometers from the Prealps. The presence of black locust, oak, and hornbeam woods with Lily of the Valley undergrowth gives Cislago a very suggestive appearance. The Bozzente stream flows through the municipality's territory, which unfortunately is often subject to industrial and sewage pollution.
How Cislago got its name
The toponym Cislago derives from the term "cista," which means "basket," due to the village's position in a basin. Originally, the name was "Cistello," which then evolved into "Cistellago" and finally into Cislago.
The history of Cislago
Protohistory and ancient times
The center of Cislago was already a fortified site since ancient times. In fact, the current castle has much older origins dating back to the Roman era, when a watchtower or military camp (castrum) was located here. The Via Mediolanum-Bilitio, the road that connected Milan, Varese, and Lugano, passed through here.
Middle Ages
In the medieval period, Cislago was part of the Pieve of Olgiate Olona and the county of Seprio. It was first a fiefdom of Germanic nobles, then of the Milanese monastery of the Basilica of Sant'Ambrogio. Later, it was under the dominion of the Della Torre and Visconti families. In the medieval village, the Confraternity of Santa Maria was founded, and several houses of the Umiliati were built.
Modern Age
In 1505, Cislago was destroyed by the troops of Lanzichenecchi. In 1510, however, the castle was demolished during an attack by the troops of Matteo Schiner. In 1620, Cesare II Visconti restored the castle, transforming it into a luxurious Baroque villa that constituted the heart of the village.
Contemporary Era
In the 18th century, Cislago passed to the noble Castelbarco family, originally from Alto Adige, and the Bozzente stream was diverted to avoid the frequent floods that affected the area.
Conclusions
Cislago is a small gem of Lombardy, located in a strategic position between the region's great cities. Its history is rich in events and illustrious figures, but the beauty of this village materializes above all in the enchanting landscape made of woods, streams, and meadows. The coexistence of ancient and modern elements makes Cislago a unique place where history blends perfectly with modernity.
