Olginate
Olginate: a town among the Lombard Prealps
Hello everyone! Today I want to tell you about Olginate, a Lombard municipality of 7,040 inhabitants located in the province of Lecco. Olginate, which until 1992 was part of the province of Como, is part of the Eastern Lario-San Martino Valley mountain community and the Adda Nord Park. Its geographical location is very interesting, in fact, it has the Olginate lake and the Adda river as natural borders. The morphology of the territory is characterized by mountainous areas in the north-western and southern parts of the town, along with hilly and flatter areas near the present water courses.
Name and history origins
But where does the name Olginate come from? According to some scholars, the name derives from the Germanic word "aucia," meaning "water land." But there is also another theory related to the figure of Olgina, a legendary Gothic leader. The first evidence of settlements in Olginate dates back to the third-fourth century AD and consisted of burials and the remains of a Roman bridge. During the Middle Ages, the town was based on activities related to the river and saw the construction of various fortification works, such as a tower and a fortress with a moat in the southern part of the town. In the sixteenth century, Olginate was chosen by Carlo Borromeo as one of the strategic points for the reorganization of the Diocese of Milan. Over time, the town has undergone various dominations, including Spanish and Austrian. During the Austrian period, there was a resumption of commercial activities and the settlement of silk processing industries, a sector that was active until the twentieth century.
Places to visit
But let's move on to the places to visit! One of the places I recommend you see is the Adda Nord Park, where you can take beautiful walks and admire the beauty of nature. Among the most historically interesting works of the past are the tower and fortress in the south of the town, the church of San Giorgio, the chapel of San Rocco, and the church of Santa Maria Nascente. The church of San Giorgio, located in the main square of the town, was built in the fourteenth century and expanded over the centuries. It is said that there is a tombstone inside dating back to 1296, but I have not yet had the chance to confirm it in person! The chapel of San Rocco is located in the street named after it and dates back to the seventeenth century. Finally, the church of Santa Maria Nascente is located on the hill of the Boverio fraction. This church was rebuilt in the seventeenth century in place of a pre-existing church dating back to the thirteenth century.
Economy
The economy of Olginate is mainly based on tourism, thanks to its geographical location that allows you to admire beautiful landscapes and do outdoor activities such as walks or bike tours. Of course, there are also other important economic activities such as agriculture and food and wine, mainly for typical products of the area such as polenta and Bitto cheese.
Events
And for event lovers, Olginate offers several events throughout the year. For example, at the end of August, there is the polenta festival, where you can taste one of the local specialties accompanied by typical products and local wines. Additionally, at the end of July, there are the festivals in honor of the Madonna della Neve, the town's patron saint, and at the end of November, there is the festival of San Martino, patron saint of the mountain community.
Conclusions
In short, Olginate is a place to visit for its natural beauty and history. I suggest walking along the Adda Nord Park, visiting the church of San Giorgio, the chapel of San Rocco, and the church of Santa Maria Nascente. Also, do not miss the opportunity to taste typical products of the area such as polenta and Bitto. I hope I made you want to visit Olginate at least once!
