Crosio della Valle
Croeus, a commune among the mountains
Crosio della Valle, also known as Croeus or Cros in the dialect of Varese, is a small commune in the province of Varese in Lombardy, with a population of 596 inhabitants. The name derives from the Varesotto dialect, meaning "trails dug into the mountain". The commune was present on the map of the Duchy of Milan in the Gallery of Geographical Maps of the Vatican Museums as "Crucion".
A church jewel in the heart of the commune
The parish church of Sant'Apollinare Martire, the first bishop of Ravenna, is a remarkable monument of the commune. As shown by archaeological surveys, the original building dates back to the year 1000, but in 1119 a community of Benedictine nuns expanded it. In the sixteenth century, San Carlo Borromeo visited the little church, giving instructions on the need to renovate and expand it. It was decorated with a series of frescoes, including one depicting the saint, attributed to Galdino da Varese and dated 1505.
On the main facade of the church, the figures of St. Anthony the Abbot and St. Christopher are painted, and in the center above the entrance door, there is the fresco of the Madonna with Child. In the tympanum, there is the dove of the Holy Spirit and a better-preserved decoration. On the triumphal arch, the scene of the Annunciation has come to light, while on the wall behind the baroque altar, you can contemplate the scene of the agony of Jesus in Gethsemane. The restoration of the church was curated by a special committee, led by a team led by Rossella Bernasconi, which brought to light another series of frescoes in the presbytery, in the triumphal arch, and on the north wall, dated 1607 and attributable to the De Avogadro family school.
Society and demographics
The commune of Crosio della Valle has seen a demographic evolution starting from 1751 when it counted 142 inhabitants, up to the 233 of 1853. In 1809, the commune was annexed to Daverio, while in 2007, the Camille Saint-Saens Music Academy inaugurated its academic headquarters at Piazza Paolo VI, with a concert by the young pianist Orazio Sciortino.
Musical culture in Crosio della Valle
The Camille Saint-Saens Music Academy is dedicated to the dissemination of musical art and its teaching, with courses starting from the teaching of propaedeutic music in the cradle, up to advanced courses for adults. The academic headquarters is located on Piazza Paolo VI and offers a wide range of music courses for all skill levels.
Crosio della Valle is an enchanting place where local traditions and culture must be preserved. The parish church of Sant'Apollinare Martire, the first bishop of Ravenna, and the Camille Saint-Saens Music Academy represent part of the historical and cultural richness of this community. If you want to discover the beauty of a mountainous landscape and learn more about the history of Crosio della Valle, you must not miss a visit to this incredible area of Lombardy.
