San Vito
A journey to San Vito
Have you ever heard of the small village of San Vito, in the province of Milan? Did you know that it was originally called Santi Vito and Marta? Let's explore together this small hamlet of Gaggiano and its thousand-year history!
## Physical geography: Territory
San Vito, with its 843 inhabitants, is located northwest of Gaggiano and is characterized by a predominantly flat environment, typical of the Po Valley, where woods and crops alternate. It borders to the north with the locality of Fagnano, to the east with the municipality of Gaggiano and to the south and west with the municipality of Trezzano sul Naviglio.
## Physical geography: Seismology
The hamlet has low seismic activity and has been classified as zone 4 (low seismic activity) by the national Department of Civil Protection.
## History
San Vito boasts a thousand-year history. Its recent name dates back to the Unification of Italy, when it changed its original name of Santi Vito and Marta. In the Middle Ages, it was known as "San Victor a Bestazo," and in the sixteenth century, it was the seat of the homonymous parish. In 1771, San Vito already had 293 inhabitants, and in 1805, it had only 275. In 1811, it was annexed by royal decree of Napoleon to the municipal administration of Gaggiano. In 1862, the name of Santi Vito and Marta changed to San Vito and Marta to distinguish it from other homonymous municipalities following the Unification of Italy.
San Vito was described by the medieval chronicler Sire Raul, who wrote in the "Annales mediolanensis" about the passage of Emperor Frederick Barbarossa through these lands, reporting that "he set fire to Rosate and other places up to Casterno and also burned San Vito and Cornaredo." Shortly before these events, the community of San Vito was mentioned as the seat of a small rural fortress, perhaps located near the parish church. In the will of a famous condottiero, Count of Carmagnola, some lands were expressly mentioned, which were donated to him by the Duke of Milan "in possessio Sancto Vito et de Bestatio sitam super territorio Mediolani." In 1619, King Philip III of Spain granted Francesco Maria Visconti the privilege of the fief of San Vito di Gaggiano, in the Parish of Corbetta.
In 1746, following the occupation of Milan by the Spanish troops of Philip I of Parma, the community of San Vito complained to the reinstalled Austrian government of a series of war damages suffered, which is why there were distributions of hay and wood to compensate for the losses suffered.
The Church of San Vito
The center of the hamlet is represented by the Church of San Vito, which dates back to the end of the sixteenth century. During the seventeenth century, it was significantly enlarged and decorated by Antonio Procaccini, a famous Baroque painter, who enriched it with precious frescoes still visible today. Inside, you can admire the baptismal font in stone and the painting depicting Saints Vito, Maddalena, and Libera.
Social and Economic Life
There are several commercial activities in the hamlet, including a pharmacy, two bars, and several restaurants that offer typical dishes of traditional Milanese cuisine.
San Vito also boasts numerous cultural and sports associations that animate the social life of the village. Among these, the Pro Loco organizes numerous events throughout the year, such as the festival of Bread and Oil, now a established tradition that attracts visitors from all over the area.
Conclusions
San Vito is a small village that encompasses a thousand-year history, witness to its millenary presence and importance. If you are in the area and want to spend a few hours immersed in the tranquility of the Milanese countryside, San Vito represents a relaxing stop, not to be missed.
