Inverno e Monteleone
Discovering Inverno and Monteleone
Hello everyone! Today I will talk about Inverno and Monteleone, a charming town of 1435 inhabitants located in the province of Pavia, Lombardy. The territory is located in the plain between the Olona river (south) and the southern Lambro river and is embellished by the presence of the San Colombano hill, a genuine spectacle for the eyes.
Origins of Inverno and Monteleone
The history of Inverno and Monteleone dates back to the domination of ancient Santa Cristina and Bissone, and to the transition to the era of the Crusades by the Order of the Knights Hospitaller. It is still possible to admire the current castle, which was built by the Hospitaller Knights. The town was feudalized by the Knights in the following centuries until 1786. In 999, instead, the toponym Monteleone was known as "Montis Luponi", later becoming "Montis Olivonis" (1374) and "Mons Oleonis" (1428). The municipality was feudalized by the Este family in 1750 and from Monte Leone depended the municipalities of Cantelma, Gatta and Ca del Rho. In 1863, Monteleone changed its name to "Monteleone sui Colli Pavesi", and was then abolished and merged with Inverno in 1873. Only in 1961 was the current name of Inverno and Monteleone adopted.
Coat of arms and flag
The coat of arms of Inverno and Monteleone was granted by the decree of the President of the Republic on October, 27th 1962. In the symbol one can see a mountain and a lion, which respectively represent the fraction of Monteleone and that of Inverno. Also, in the castle of the symbol, a reference to the domination of the Hospitaller Knights, to which the town belonged for a long time, can be captured. The flag, also azure, completes the symbolic representation of the municipality.
Monuments and places of interest
Among the civil buildings worth visiting in Inverno and Monteleone, the castle of Inverno stands out, dating back to the fifteenth century. The fortress has a square plan, with four buildings overlooking a courtyard. The round-based towers and the square-based ones give the whole an imposing and fascinating appearance. The portico, located on two sides of the courtyard, perfectly complements it.
Society and administration
The municipality of Inverno and Monteleone has experienced a steady demographic evolution over the years. In fact, according to ISTAT data, in 1951 the number of inhabitants was 933, while in 2021 it reached 1435. The administration of Inverno and Monteleone is currently led by Mayor Carlo Lomazzi.
Conclusions
Inverno and Monteleone is a municipality of great charm and with an ancient history. Within the walls of the castle, you can admire the majestic work of military engineering, whose towers and walls give it an appearance both imposing and fascinating. Visiting this small village in Lombardy is undoubtedly an experience not to be missed, to discover the secrets of a land that has been able to maintain its charm intact through the centuries.
