Cornaredo
Discovering Cornaredo: A City Rich in History and Folklore
Cornaredo is a city located in the Metropolitan City of Milan in Lombardy. With just over 20,000 residents, the municipality is a place rich in history and popular legends that date back to the 9th century.
Origins of the Name
The name Cornaredo has different theories behind it that date back to ancient times. According to a popular legend, there used to be a slaughterhouse that supplied meat to Milan, and the municipality got its name from the practice of counting the horns of the slaughtered animals to ensure the correct number of animals. In Latin, returning the horns is indicated by “cornua redo”, which could be the origin of the name Cornaredo.
A second theory suggests that the name may come from the Latin term “Cornarjetum”, which means land cultivated with cornioli – shrubs that produce very hard wood suitable for lathe work.
Another theory suggests that the name could come from the term “cum rete” which means “with the net” in Latin. The name would have been taken from the two words that make up the current fraction name of Cornaredo, San Pietro and Cornaredo.
History of the Municipality
The oldest nucleus of the city is the fraction of San Pietro all’Olmo, which is located along the ancient road to Vercellas. Since medieval times, this area was very famous for its agricultural resources – cereal crops, pastures, viticulture, and many pig farms that mixed their activities with mulberry plantations for the rearing of silkworms.
The city's economy took a turn towards the end of the 19th century, transforming Cornaredo from a small rural community into a suburban area. However, the city has not forgotten its agricultural roots and still celebrates its tradition of an agricultural community with the annual country fair held every first weekend of September in memory of the consecration of the parish church dedicated to saints James and Philip.
The Foundation
Cornaredo was formerly inhabited by two communities: the capital and the fraction of San Pietro all’Olmo, both surrounded by some farms. Historically, the two communities developed very differently from the cultural, social, and especially the cultivation of the fields standpoint. Cornaredo was recognized as a municipality before 894 – as attested by a parchment of the time that cites the locality Cornalede.
The church of Cornaredo, dedicated to St. Ambrose, was elevated to parochial in the 13th century while the temple dedicated to St. Peter has been used since the 12th century as a place of worship for the community of Regular Canons of St. Augustine Confederated, remaining until the end of the 15th century.
The Culture of Cornaredo
Like many Italian cities, the culture of Cornaredo has been influenced by its history. The city underwent an epochal change in the 19th century thanks to the rapid development of the surrounding cities of Milan and Rho. As a result, Cornaredo ceased to be a small rural community and adopted a new modernized lifestyle with works of art and spaces for cultural events.
Works of Art in Cornaredo
Cornaredo is a city rich in works of art that celebrate its history and culture. These works were created by local and international artists who chose Cornaredo as a venue to showcase and exhibit their works of art.
For example, the municipality hosts the Villa Burba Contemporary Art Museum, which exhibits works by local and international artists. The museum is located in a 19th-century villa that also features a collection of precious antique furniture.
Cultural Events in Cornaredo
The municipality of Cornaredo also offers a wide range of cultural events throughout the year. For example, every year the country fair is organized, celebrating Cornaredo's agricultural tradition.
Furthermore, during the summer, many live music events, art exhibitions, and other entertainments take place. Cornaredo also provides space for cultural activities such as concerts, theater festivals, art exhibitions, and food and wine events.
Points of Interest in Cornaredo
Cornaredo offers visitors numerous points of interest to visit, including parks, museums, and churches.
Parks
The Cornaredo City Park is an 80,000-square-meter green area that offers a wide range of activities for families. The park is equipped with various sports facilities, a bike path, a pond, and picnic areas.
The Villa Burba Park, on the other hand, is smaller but important for its architectural beauty. It is equipped with plants and flowers that make it ideal for long walks.
Museums
The Villa Burba Contemporary Art Museum is open every day from Tuesday to Sunday from 2:30 pm to 6:30 pm. The museum exhibits works by local and international artists, including painters, sculptors, and photographers.
The “Tzù Tù” Ethnographic Museum preserves different forms of documentation about local life, a true museum of memory where pieces of industrial archaeology and rural labor can find a place.
Churches
The church of San Pietro all’Olmo is a church dating back to the 12th century and represents the religious history of the city. The church is located in the main square of the town, at the foot of a hill.
The parish church dedicated to saints James and Philip, on the other hand, is another important church in Cornaredo. The church was built in the 14th century in Gothic style and contains several important works of art.
Conclusions
Cornaredo is a city rich in history and culture, with works of art by famous local and international artists, museums that host unique artworks, and numerous parks and churches.
With its 20,000 inhabitants, Cornaredo presents itself as a quiet city that celebrates its traditions, as evidenced by the annual country fair that attracts many visitors every year.
If you are planning a visit to the city, do not miss the opportunity to discover the various attractions and experience the local life in Cornaredo.
