Faloppio
Welcome to Faloppio: history and curiosities
Faloppio is a scattered municipality in the province of Como, Lombardy, composed of the towns of Camnago Faloppia and Gaggino. With a population of 4721 inhabitants, it is possible to discover some curiosities about the history of the municipality and its villages.
## Origin of the name
It is interesting to note that the etymology of Camnago seems to be of Celtic origin, since the word "kamminakon" means "field of the path". Instead, the name Gaggino, a clear diminutive of the Lombard "gaggio", is of Lombard origin. Finally, the locality Bernasca gave rise to the surname Bernasconi, one of the most widespread in the area.
## History
### From the Middle Ages to modern times
The history of Faloppio dates back to the twelfth century, when sales and donation deeds of the localities of Gaggino and Camnago were drawn up. The territory of Gaggino and Camnago was included in the Parish of Uggiate until the end of the eighteenth century.
In 1751, the territory of Gaggino extended to the hamlet of "Cassina de' Ronchi", while the municipality of Camnago also included the hamlet of "Molino di Chiasso". Two years later, the municipality of Camnago merged with the municipality of Bernasca.
At the ecclesiastical level, the care of souls was entrusted to the parish of Santa Margherita di Camnago, erected in 1771 by Bishop Giambattista Mugiasca. Instead, the Parish of the Conversion of St. Paul in Gaggino was established in 1892.
### Contemporary age
During the Kingdom of Sardinia and the Kingdom of Italy, the municipality of Camnago changed its name several times, first to "Camnago Faloppia", then to "Camnago di Uggiate" and finally, from 1893 to 1928, again to "Camnago Faloppia". In 1894, the year of the pastoral visit of Bishop Andrea Carlo Ferrari, the number of parishioners in the parish of Camnago had risen to 432, while that of Gaggino had 800 inhabitants.
Finally, the municipality of Faloppio was established in 1928 by merging the municipalities of Camnago Faloppia and Gaggino.
What to see in Faloppio
## The Church of Santa Margherita
The Church of Santa Margherita, in the hamlet of Camnago, dates back to the eighteenth century and was built on the site of a previous fifteenth-century oratory. Inside we find valuable paintings and frescoes by local artists.
## The Church of the Conversion of St. Paul
The Church of the Conversion of St. Paul, in Gaggino, was built at the end of the eighteenth century and was renovated in 1925. Inside, it is possible to admire frescoes by the Como painter Luigi Morgari.
## The Moretti farmhouse
The Moretti farmhouse, in the hamlet of Gaggino, is a large rural building with a small chapel dedicated to the Madonna della Neve. It is surrounded by a large park with centuries-old trees and paths for outdoor walks.
## The archaeological area of Bernasca
The archaeological area of Bernasca, a hamlet of Faloppio, was discovered during a excavation campaign in the late twentieth century. Here is the site of an ancient proto-historic settlement dating back to the Bronze Age, which testifies to human presence in the area since ancient times.
Conclusions
Faloppio is a municipality that offers many opportunities for discovery and leisure, thanks to its characteristic villages and places of worship of historical and artistic interest. The archaeological area of Bernasca, in particular, represents an important piece of the area's history and testifies to human presence since ancient times. Visiting and discovering all that the Faloppio area has to offer is definitely a recommended experience for all history and nature enthusiasts.
