Opera
Welcome to Opera: a small town with a big history
Welcome to Opera, a municipality in the metropolitan city of Milan in Lombardy, with a population of 14,225 inhabitants. Despite its relatively small size, Opera has a surprising history dating back to the Middle Ages and the presence of the Umiliati. In this article, we will explore the history of Opera and its fraction, Mirasole.
History of Opera
The first mention of a location called Opera dates back to 1280, thanks to Goffredo da Bussero. In his “Liber Notitiae Sanctorum Mediolani”, the priest from a noble family mentions a church dedicated to San Pietro in “Loci Ovari”. It is believed that the Latin toponym of “Overa” refers to the building of a hypothetic Monastery of San Pietro, although no documents exist regarding this.
During the High Middle Ages, the word Opera had the legal meaning of Building or Construction. Therefore, the expression “Overa S. Petri” used by Goffredo da Bussero could refer to the construction of a possible monastery of San Pietro. In addition to Opera, other locations such as Mirasole were part of the Plebe Locate, now Pieve Emanuele.
In the 13th century, the inhabitants of Opera went to Pieve for small daily tasks such as baptisms, markets, and administration of justice. Moreover, their priests came from Pieve for pastoral duties.
History of Mirasole
Mirasole is a fraction of Opera and it hosts a "domus fratrum Humiliatorum". The Umiliati were a religious movement that developed in the Milan area between the 13th and 17th centuries. Under their name, the members founded numerous communities of priests, mixed groups of men and women under the religious rule, and a third order of those who, while accepting the rule, could not leave their family.
The main characteristic of the Umiliati movement was the profession of poverty and continence, accompanied by the work of their own hands in order to make a living. Mirasole was the place of settlement of the congregation of the Umiliati from the 13th century until 1571.
Places of interest
In addition to the vestiges of the “domus fratrum Humiliatorum” in the Mirasole fraction, the historic center of Opera is characterized by the parish church of San Pietro and the church of San Carlo Borromeo. The church of San Pietro dates back to the Middle Ages, while that of San Carlo Borromeo was built in the 18th century.
Opera and Mirasole are also famous for the presence of numerous farms. These splendid agricultural structures constitute a unique architectural and cultural heritage of the region. Particularly interesting is the Cascina Poscante, an ancient farm dating back to the 16th century and still perfectly preserved.
Celebrations and festivals
During the summer period, the municipality of Opera organizes a series of events and festivals. The Sagra di San Pietro and the Mostra Agrozootecnica have become unmissable appointments for local residents and external visitors alike.
The Sagra di San Pietro is a religious festival that celebrates the patron saint of the village. The event offers a series of activities for all ages, including the traditional procession in honor of the saint and the gastronomic competition, during which you can taste typical Lombard dishes.
The Mostra Agrozootecnica is held every two years and is dedicated to agriculture and livestock breeding of the region. The event includes exhibitions, shows, and interactive activities, which offer a fantastic opportunity to discover local traditions.
Conclusion
Opera may seem like a small and insignificant town, but its history and cultural heritage are truly amazing. From Mirasole to summer celebrations, there is always something to see and do. If you are visiting Lombardy, do not miss the opportunity to visit Opera and discover its magnificent history.
