Oltrona di San Mamette
Hello friends,
Today I will talk about the municipality of Oltrona di San Mamette, located in the province of Como in Lombardy, Italy. With a population of about 2375 inhabitants, it is a small but fascinating town that encompasses a lot of history and traditions.
Physical Geography
Territory
Oltrona di San Mamette borders Olgiate Comasco to the west, north and northwest, Appiano Gentile to the south and Lurate Caccivio to the east and northeast. The capital, Como, is about 10 kilometers away.
Geology and Hydrography
The territory of Oltrona is predominantly hilly and perfectly suited for cultivation and the presence of forests. The altitude varies from 370 to 422 meters above sea level and the highest hill is where the Sanctuary of San Mamette is located. The town has always suffered from a substantial lack of water, but today water supply has been made possible thanks to the construction of aqueducts.
Seismology
Oltrona di San Mamette is located in an area of low seismicity and has been classified as a zone 4 municipality by the national Department of Civil Protection.
Climate
The town has a typical climate of the northern Italian hills, with cold winters and hot summers. Rainfall is concentrated mainly in autumn and spring.
Origins of the Name
According to the well-known local historian Francesco Ferrario, the name Oltrona derives from the union of three words: OL (from the Indo-European term meaning "beyond" or "great"), TRONA (from the Latin thronus or the Etruscan thruna, meaning "rock") and ONA (a word of Ligurian linguistic origin meaning "round hillock"). The final result would be "great rock on a round hillock", indicating the defensive role that the town has played since ancient times.
History
Origins
The first traces of human presence in the Oltrona area date back to the Iron Age, thanks to some archaeological finds from the 6th-5th centuries BC.
The Middle Ages
During the Middle Ages, the town was the subject of numerous disputes among neighboring cities, including the feudatory of Mandello del Lario and the archbishop of Milan. In the 14th century, Oltrona was annexed to the Duchy of Milan.
From the Renaissance to the Present Day
During the Renaissance, Oltrona was an important center of textile production, which then declined in the 19th century. In 1863, with the Royal Decree of Vittorio Emanuele II, the town assumed the name of Oltrona di San Mamette to distinguish it from the homonymous municipality of Oltrona al Lago. Today, Oltrona di San Mamette is an agricultural and tourist center, famous for its natural beauty and the presence of interesting historical monuments.
In summary, Oltrona di San Mamette is a small town with a lot of history and traditions. Its hilly position, favorable climate, and natural environment make it a very pleasant place to spend a few days on vacation. Come and visit Oltrona, you will discover an enchanting and charming place!
