Magreglio
Discovering Magreglio: A Commune Immersed in History in the Lecchesi Alps
Magreglio is a small commune situated in the province of Como in Lombardy, with a population of approximately 651 inhabitants. The city is known for being home to the source of the Lambro river and is located in the area known as the Larian Triangle. Magreglio is often a popular destination for cyclists, who come here to visit the Sanctuary of Madonna del Ghisallo.
Origins of the name
The name Magreglio derives from the Latin term "Ager magris," which means "poor fields, meagre pastures." Over the centuries, the name of the commune has changed many times, from "Macrilium" to "Magrellio," until it became "Magreglio."
History
The city of Magreglio has a long and fascinating history dating back to the Neolithic era and the Iron Age. Some of the earliest human remains have been found here, along the road that connects the chestnut groves to Ghisallo. The presence of the Romans in Valsassina was established thanks to the discovery of a late-Roman tomb in the villa Cavallè, along the ascent that leads to Ghisallo.
Middle Ages
During the medieval era, Magreglio was hit by a wave of barbarian invasions that led to the construction of monumental tomb in basins. These burial buildings were dug into erratic boulders, and three of them have been found throughout the territory, two of which in the commune of Magreglio.
With the conquest of the Lombard kingdom, Magreglio and Valsassina became part of the "Contado della Martesana."
Magreglio and the language of the populations that have inhabited these areas
The evolution of the local dialect in Magreglio and the surrounding areas has been influenced by the different populations that have inhabited this region over the centuries. The Celts, who settled here in the 4th century BCE, blended their traditions with those of the local inhabitants, creating a unique culture.
With the Roman conquest of the area, new words arrived that influenced the language. After the Romans, it was the Lombards who spread new vocabulary among the population, such as "gasch" for forest or wood and "scussà" for apron. Even the Franks, who conquered the Lombard kingdom, left their mark on the local dialect.
Conclusions
In summary, Magreglio is a commune immersed in history, with numerous traces of the populations that have inhabited this region over the centuries. From the Etruscans to the Romans, from the Celts to the Lombards and Franks, all the cultures that have settled here have left their mark on the local dialect and culture. Magreglio is an ideal destination for those who want to immerse themselves in the centuries-old history of northern Italy and get to know its rich cultural heritage up close.
