San Salvatore
San Salvatore: a wonderful hamlet of Malnate
There are many hidden treasures in Italy, and San Salvatore is definitely one of them. This beautiful hamlet of Malnate, in the province of Varese, is rich in history and culture. In this article, we will explore the history of San Salvatore, its parish, and the battle that took place there during the Second War of Independence. Finally, we will take a look at the infrastructure and transportation of the region.
History
San Salvatore is located in the province of Varese, and is mentioned for the first time in a document of 1218. At that time, the church of San Vittore and the Lodesani brothers of Monte Morone were arguing over the tithe. In the seventeenth century, San Salvatore was administered as an autonomous municipality until it was merged with Malnate in the 1720s. It is not known precisely when this merger occurred, but it is believed to have taken place in 1722 during the Land Census of Malnate.
Parish
The parish church of San Salvatore, dedicated to the Trinity, dates back to the fifteenth century, but the parish of San Salvatore was only established in 1956 with an archdiocesan decree of the then Archbishop of Milan, Giovanni Battista Montini, also known as the future Pope Paul VI.
The battle of San Salvatore
San Salvatore was the scene of a battle during the Second War of Independence. On May 26, 1859, the troops of Giuseppe Garibaldi attacked the Austrian advance guard led by General Urban, who was trying to reconquer Varese. The Austrians fled, but the Austrian rearguard stopped on the horseshoe-shaped hills of San Salvatore that dominate the road to Como. There, the Genoese Carabinieri were attacked, leaving one dead and seven wounded. Garibaldi then arrived with reinforcements and resolved the conflict. In total, there were about 200 Austrian casualties and 85 Garibaldians between Biumo and San Salvatore.
Infrastructure and transportation
San Salvatore is located between the two cities of Como and Varese, both easily reachable by train. In fact, until 1966, the Como-Varese Railway of Ferrovie Nord Milano was in operation, passing through San Salvatore and reaching the Binago-San Salvatore Station. Today, the station and railway line have been dismantled, but the area is still well-served by public transportation.
Malnate, the city to which San Salvatore belongs, can also be reached by bus. Buses depart from Varese and Como and are a convenient means of transportation for those who want to reach the surrounding mountains or explore the region further.
In summary, San Salvatore is a wonderful hamlet with a rich history and culture, as well as a place of historical interest for history and exploration enthusiasts. And it is also well-served by public transportation, making the journey to this hidden gem easy and convenient.
