Cunardo
Cunardo: a treasure of Lombardy
Cunardo is a charming municipality in the province of Varese, located between four beautiful pre-Alpine valleys: Valganna, Valmarchirolo, Valcuvia, and Valtravaglia. This Lombardian municipality, with a population of around 2,943 people, has been famous since ancient times for its ceramic production, but it also offers many other tourist attractions that make it a treasure to discover.
Physical geography
Cunardo is situated at the feet of Mount Castelvecchio and Mount Penegra. The former takes its name from the Lombards' fortress, built in 700 AD, located at the top of the hill overlooking Valcuvia and Val Marchirolo. Additionally, in Cunardo, visitors can explore the Orrido di Cunardo cave, where the Margorabbia river flows, and admire its impressive sights, such as the Antro dei Morti, Lago Ignoto, and Grotta della Madonnina.
Origins of the name
The name "Cunardo" could derive from the Celtic term "Kùn-ort", meaning "fortified place," according to linguist Ernst Gamillscheg. Another hypothesis traces the name back to the Lombardian term "Kunihard." However, the name could also come from the Celtic "Kùn-ard," meaning "high place" or "place on high."
The history of Cunardo
During the Middle Ages, Cunardo was part of the Valtravaglia fief, which had been granted to Count Franchino Rusca by the Duke of Milan, Filippo Maria Visconti, in 1438. In 1583, the territory became the property of the Marliani family. In the eighteenth century, the municipality was of little interest, and the municipal administration was entirely managed by the mayor, with the collaboration of some citizens in case of extraordinary events. In 1751, the population was about 443 inhabitants. In 1757, the municipality was part of the Pieve di Val Travaglia. In 1786, Cunardo became part of the province of Gallarate, and later Varese, following an edict issued by the Austro-Hungarian Empire, which divided Austrian Lombardy into eight provinces. In 1791, the municipality passed to the province of Milan. During the Napoleonic era, Cunardo was suppressed and aggregated to Marchirolo from 1812 to 1816, before regaining its administrative autonomy. The first Municipal Council was elected in 1821.
Society
Demographic evolution
The population of Cunardo steadily grew over the centuries. In 1751, there was a population of around 443 inhabitants, which rose to 670 in 1805. During the annexation to Marchirolo in 1809, the population stabilized at a low number. In 1853, the population had reached 1,046 individuals.
Religion
The majority of the population is Christian, and the parish is dedicated to the patron saint of the village, Abbondio of Como. The Cunardo Parish is part of the Diocese of Como, although the neighboring villages belong to the Archdiocese of Milan. For this reason, liturgical celebrations are held in the Roman rite. The parish originated in the fifteenth century at the behest of Bishop Branda Castiglioni. Over the years, several parish priests succeeded one another, including Paolo Busato from 2010 to 2013.
In summary, Cunardo is a place worth discovering for its natural beauty and millennial history. Take a stroll through its hills and valleys, visit Orrido di Cunardo cave and the fortress of Monte Castelvecchio, or participate in the liturgical celebrations in the beautiful church of Abbondio of Como. Let yourself be conquered by Cunardo's magic and authentic charm!
