Lozza
Lozza: a small Lombard town between history and present
Lozza is a small municipality in the province of Varese in Lombardy, located south of the city of Varese. With its 1232 inhabitants, Lozza is a quiet village that preserves traces of its long history, from Roman origins to its industrial past. It has also seen the birth of one of the most well-known Italian politicians, Roberto Maroni, former president of the Lombardy Region. In this text, we will explore the history, curiosities and peculiarities of Lozza.
History of Lozza: between Romans and nobles
The history of Lozza dates back to the Roman period, when the town was crossed by the Via Mediolanum-Bilitio Roman road, used to connect Milan to Lugano, passing through Varese (then called Varisium). Moreover, Lozza has been inhabited since the Neolithic and has undergone the influence of the Lombards and the Franks. In 1200, Lozza became part of the Archdiocese of Milan and since 1648 it has been owned by the noble family of Castiglioni, who built a summer vacation palace in the 17th century. This building, still present within the urban fabric of Lozza, was owned by the Castiglioni family until the end of the 19th century.
Origin of the name Lozza
The name of the town, Lozza, has origins from different languages, although the concept remains the same. The term, in fact, seems to derive from the Celtic word "lossa" or "luth", which indicates the soil and vegetable waste that was accumulated on the side of the roads to rot and provide fertilizer for crops. Alternatively, it could derive from the Greek word "luma", meaning dirt, which then evolved into the Latin "lutum" (mud) and therefore "lotza\Lozza".
Religious buildings in Lozza
The religious heritage of Lozza includes two churches: the Church of Sant'Antonino Martire and the Church of Santa Maria in Campagna.
The Church of Sant'Antonino Martire dates back to the 18th century and was built on a pre-existing chapel from the 1500s. It has a simple late Baroque style façade and inside you can admire some 18th century works of art, such as the altar piece depicting the martyrdom of Sant'Antonino.
The Church of Santa Maria in Campagna, instead, dates back to the 17th century and is located a few kilometers from the town center. It presents a Baroque style façade and inside you can admire works of art from the 17th and 18th century, including an altar piece depicting Santa Maria in Campagna.
Demographics of Lozza: an evolution over time
The population of Lozza has grown over the centuries, from 150 inhabitants in 1751 to 218 in 1805, when the town was annexed to Castiglione Olona. In 1853, Lozza counted 331 inhabitants.
Infrastructure and transportation in Lozza
The Lozza-Ponte di Vedano railway station was activated in 1915 and was located along the Ferrovia della Valmorea, connecting the town with Varese and Como. The station was deprived of passenger traffic in 1938 and definitively suppressed the following year.
Administration of Lozza
From 1801 to 1927, Lozza was in the province of Como. Today, it is part of the province of Varese.
Conclusions
Lozza is a small Lombard town that preserves traces of its long history, from the Roman era to the nobility of the 17th century. The population of Lozza has grown over the centuries, but the town remains a quiet inhabited center, well connected to nearby cities. The presence of two churches and a historical building give Lozza a particular charm, testifying to the passage of different historical periods.
