Galbiate
Welcome to Galbiate, a charming town
Galbiate, also known as Galbiaà in the Brianza dialect, is a small town located in the province of Lecco in Lombardy. With its 8,499 inhabitants, Galbiate covers a vast geographic area. It is the capital of the Eastern Lario - Valle San Martino Mountain Community and is home to the Monte Barro Natural Park. Additionally, it is part of the Cluniac congregation.
Discover its geographical location
Galbiate is located on a plateau at the southern foothills of Monte Barro. The northwestern part of the municipality extends to the shores of Lake Annone. The position of the town is particularly suggestive, thanks to the panoramic view of Lake Annone, Lake Garlate, and the neighboring communities.
The origins of the name
The toponym "Galbiate" comes from the root "Gal," which could be attributed to the presence of Gauls or the Celtic expression "gala," meaning "rock."
The history of Galbiate
An excavation campaign on Monte Barro has unearthed the remains of a fortified complex consisting of a courtyard, six towers, and other smaller buildings. Although the dating of the complex is not known, Pliny the Elder's "Naturalis Historia" already reports the existence of the Orobian settlement of "Barra" (or "Parra"). The fortress would have been subsequently reused by the Lombards.
Already included in the Contado della Martesana and in the pieve of Garlate (whose fortunes it followed for many centuries), in the communal era, Galbiate was inhabited mainly by Guelphs and Ghibellines. In 1450, during the disputes between the Duchy of Milan and the Republic of Venice, the center of Galbiate hosted the castle of the De Ripas, who sided with Milan. A tower of the castle still survives today.
The symbols of Galbiate
The municipality of Galbiate has as its symbols the coat of arms and the flag granted by decree of the President of the Republic on June 3rd, 1975. The blazon of the coat of arms and the flag is in the upper part of the document.
Monuments and places of interest
Galbiate offers several tourist attractions for those who visit it. Below are some of the most important churches in the town.
Sanctuary of San Michele
The origin of this church located in the locality of San Michele dates back to the 11th and 10th centuries, where recent studies hypothesize its initial attribution to a xenodochium (a shelter for passing travelers). The peculiarity of this building is the perimeter structure orphaned of its roof. It is used as a parish hall and occasionally used for exhibitions.
Church of San Nicola in Figina (or San Sigismondo)
Located in the hamlet of Villa Vergano, the church dates back to the 12th century and is an example of Gothic architecture, having been built for the Cluniac congregation.
Chapel of Santa Maria degli Angeli on Monte Barro and the Hermitage complex
Already dedicated to St. Victor the Martyr during the High Middle Ages, the chapel of Santa Maria degli Angeli is located along the trail that crosses Monte Barro. The hermitage complex develops behind the church and is composed of several caves and shelters under the rock.
Conclusions
Galbiate is a town worth visiting, with its places of interest and panoramic position. If you decide to visit Lombardy, be sure to put Galbiate on your list of places to visit.
