Ello
Welcome to Ello
Ello, also known as "Ell" in the Brianza dialect, is a small town in the province of Lecco in Lombardy with a population of 1206 inhabitants. Located on the green western slopes of the Brianza hill (817 m), SE of Lake Annone, Ello is an agricultural and industrial center of Brianza. In this brief article, we will discover the rich history of Ello, its symbols, monuments and places of interest, economy, and demographic evolution.
History
Ello has a very ancient history and archaeological finds found on its territory date back to the 2nd millennium BC. Among the findings, there are a helmet, two swords, two daggers, four spearheads, and two axes, found near a quarry not far from the town. In addition, some small Roman urns were found during excavations in 1875. The oldest historical mention of Ello is found in a diploma of Frederick Barbarossa from 1162, in which "Ellum" is mentioned among the lands owned by the Abbey of San Pietro al Monte. During the Spanish domination of the Duchy of Milan, Ello passed into the hands of Giovanni Agostino de Abdua for 26000 imperial lire. In 1653 it passed instead to Agostino Bonacina, together with the villages of Cogoredo, Dolzago, Figino, Marconaga, and Villa, all belonging to the parish of Oggiono. Ello was also the homeland of the famous armorers Missaglia of the 15th and 16th centuries. With the abolition of feudal rights by Napoleon Bonaparte, Ello followed the fortunes of Oggiono. In the 19th century, Ello was enriched with mansions owned by Milanese aristocrats.
Symbols
The official coat of arms and flag of Ello were approved by a decree of the President of the Republic on July 31, 1997. The emblem consists of a silver chair on a red field and the golden cross of St. Andrew.
Monuments and places of interest
Ello has several monuments and places of interest. The parish church of the Church of Saints James and Philip was rebuilt in 1671 on the basis of an earlier 15th-century building. The church preserves structural parts of the primitive Lombard Romanesque factory and the two-story Bifora bell tower. Inside the church, there are frescoes dating back to the 15th-16th centuries, including the paintings of the apse area that represent some episodes of the lives of the titular saints of the church. Near the village, you can still observe an ancient spinning mill, called the "Zero Spinning Mill". The spinning mill is equipped with a twisting machine, dam, and water conduits connecting it to other factories.
Economy
Ello is mainly an agricultural center, with a production of corn and fodder and breeding of brown breeds. Furthermore, the municipality has a textile plant.
Society
The demographic evolution of Ello has been constant, from 426 inhabitants in 1751 to 1254 inhabitants in 2009.
Conclusions
Ello is a small town immersed in the green Brianza, rich in history, monuments, and places of interest. Agriculture and breeding are the main economic activities, but Ello also has a textile plant. The population of Ello is constantly growing and represents a small and fascinating corner of Lombardy.
