Dongo
Introduction
Hello everyone! Today I will talk to you about a beautiful municipality in Lombardy, Dongo.
Physical Geography
Dongo is located on the north-western coast of Lake Como, right at the mouth of the Albano stream. The village is also situated on the Antica Via Regina and on the path that leads to the San Jorio Pass, connecting Lake Como to the Val Morobbia.
History
In Roman times, Dongo was crossed by the Via Regina, a road that connected the river port of Cremona with Chiavenna, passing through Milan. Later, during the communal age, Dongo became a fortified village, which grew around the nucleus of Martinico.
In 1335, the Statutes of Como mentioned Dongo as the municipality responsible for the maintenance of the Via Regina within the parish of Dongo. During the period of the Duchy of Milan, the municipality of Dongo followed the destiny of the feud of the Upper Three Pievi of Dongo, Gravedona, and Sorico.
In 1465, important iron mines were discovered in the area, which were managed for several centuries by the Mainoni brothers and later by the Rubini, founders of the company that originated the Falck steel industry.
In 1934, the uninhabited area of the municipal territory of Dongo was aggregated to that of Musso. But the most famous event in the history of Dongo happened in 1945, when on April 27th, Benito Mussolini was captured by the partisans as he was fleeing from Milan towards Valtellina. The following day, Mussolini was killed in the hamlet of Giulino in the former municipality of Mezzegra.
Symbols
The coat of arms of the Municipality of Dongo was granted in 2006 and represents three geometric crosses, a symbol of Dongo's belonging to the Republic of the Three Pievi together with Gravedona and Sorico. The banner is a split cloth of white and red.
Conclusions
This municipality of 3,248 inhabitants, with its fascinating history and representative symbols, is a place worth visiting. It is located in a strategic position, offers a magnificent view of Lake Como, and a series of tourist attractions, such as the 12th-century Church of San Vittore and the 15th-century Fontanedo Tower. All this makes it an ideal place for a vacation in contact with nature and history.
