Lacchiarella
Welcome to Lacchiarella: a brief introduction
Hello everyone! Today I'll be talking about Lacchiarella, a municipality of about 9,080 inhabitants located south of Milan, in Lombardy. The name in Milanese dialect is "Laciarèla" and derives from the term "Lactarella", which means "small dairy". This is because, in the past, the area was very famous for milk production. However, today the town is known for its history, churches, and commerce.
Anthropical Geography
The municipal territory includes several inhabited areas, including the center of Lacchiarella, the hamlets of Casirate Olona, Mettone, and Villamaggiore, and the inhabited locations of Cascina Birolo, Centenara and Concorezzo.
Society
Regarding demographic evolution, in past centuries, the number of inhabitants grew slowly: in 1751 there were 1,370, while in 1861 there were 2,896. However, after the annexation of new territories and hamlets, the population increased considerably, reaching 3,809 units in 1871.
History
Lacchiarella has an ancient history that dates back to the Roman Empire, when the area was crossed by the Mediolanum-Ticinum road. Throughout the centuries, the town has suffered many invasions by barbarians such as the Huns and the Goths, but also by Lombards, Franks, and Magyars. The latter, in 898, looted and destroyed the town, which was rebuilt and fortified by the Milanese in the 13th century.
Over the centuries, life in Lacchiarella has had its ups and downs: the plague caused many deaths in 1630, but the town recovered and continued to develop, becoming an important center of commerce. During the Risorgimento, many citizens of Lacchiarella distinguished themselves for their valor, such as Gaetano Tibaldi, Giambattista Vigo, and the Tessera brothers Federico and Erminio.
To recall the ancient origins of the town, various churches have been built, including the Oratory of St. Martin of Tours, dedicated to the bishop saint of Tours and built in the 16th century.
What to see in Lacchiarella
If you're curious to discover the town, there's plenty to see! A must-see is the Rocca, an ancient fortification from the 13th century located in Piazza Matteotti. Inside you can find the Town Council. A short distance away is also the Church of Santa Maria Nascente, dating back to the 18th century.
The Church of Sant'Antonio abate, built in 1892, is another beautiful construction. Inside, you can admire a marble altar and several valuable paintings.
Don't miss the Palazzo Elia either, dating back to the 18th century, which dominates Piazza Matteotti. It now houses the Municipal Library, but once was the home of the local nobility.
Finally, if you love nature, you can take a walk in the Bosco della Partecipanza Nature Reserve, a protected area of about 300 hectares, where numerous animal and plant species live.
Conclusion
Here's a brief overview of Lacchiarella, a town that has a lot to offer. If you happen to be passing through, don't miss the opportunity to visit its historic churches and the Rocca, and to take a walk in the Bosco della Partecipanza Nature Reserve. I hope this brief summary has been useful to you!
