Proserpio
A little gem in the province of Como: Proserpio
Welcome to Proserpio, a small town in the province of Como in Lombardy, situated between the beautiful Alta Brianza and Vallassina. With only 908 inhabitants, Proserpio is a hidden gem worth discovering. In this text, I will provide all the necessary information to get to know this wonderful city.
Physical geography
Territory
The municipality of Proserpio, located about 15 km from Como and Lecco and 42 km from Milan, is part of the Triangolo Lariano Mountain Community. The plateau on which the city stands has an altitude ranging between 400 and 500 meters, with peaks such as Gualdrea and Monte Scioscia reaching 586 m and 671 m respectively. Its moraine formation is due to the passage of the Monza glacier during the third glaciation. In addition, the Proserpio area is home to numerous "trovants", erratic boulders made of ghiandone and serpentino that come from Val Masino and Val Malenco.
Climate
Proserpio's climate is typical of the "Castanetum" zone, with an average annual temperature ranging between 12° and 15°; however, in winter, temperatures can drop to -15°.
Origins of the name
The name Proserpio has uncertain origins: there are different hypotheses about its derivation. Some authors from the nineteenth century, such as Mazza and Amoretti, believed that the name derived from the cult of the goddess Proserpina; however, this theory is not supported. Recent interpretations suggest that the name may derive from "Praedium Servii" or "Pratum Servii", as an appellation of land belonging to the Roman Servii family, or from "Pro servis", as a predial land granted to servitude. Ancient documents report different names over the centuries, including "Proxervi", "Proxerbi", "Pruserpio", "Preserpi", and "Proxerpi".
History
From prehistory to communal age
Like much of Northwestern Italy, the inhabitants of Proserpio descend from a mixture of Celtic-Etruscan-Ligurian populations that occurred around the fifth century BC. Roman colonization began at the end of the third century BC; subsequently, Como was destroyed by the Rhaetians and then rebuilt by the consul Pompey Strabo with the name "Novum Comum". Roman presence is attested on the Larian territory by the remains of necropolises in Como and Mariano, walls, and fortifications. Pliny the Elder and Pliny the Younger were born in Como.
The oldest artifact linked to the history of Proserpio is a Roman tomb discovered in 1976 during excavation work for the new road to Castelmarte; the tomb contained a terracotta vase with cremation remains, a ceramic vase, and a harrow tooth.
Modern and contemporary age
In the late thirteenth century, G. da Bussero mentioned Proserpio as the site of a church dedicated to the saint brothers Faustinus and Jovita, which testifies to the existence of an autonomous and organized community already separated from a maternal church of Erba or Asso to which it had been affiliated previously. Over the centuries, the city has undergone various influences, such as Spanish and Austrian dominance.
Tourism and Culture
Proserpio is a city rich in historical and natural treasures. The church of Saints Faustinus and Jovita, from the fourteenth century, is certainly one of the most important monuments to visit. The church preserves valuable frescoes cycles, including that of the Last Judgment, and an eighteenth-century gilded wooden altar. The bell tower, instead, dates back to the fifteenth century and was renovated in the nineteenth century.
Those who love nature and outdoor walks can enjoy the beauty of the Gualdrea and Monte Scioscia peaks, which offer breathtaking views. Moreover, you can also admire the characteristic erratic boulders, such as the Erratic Stone of the Dead, located in the forest of Monte Scioscia, or the Erratic Stone of the Alpini, located near the church of Sant'Antonio.
Traditions and Gastronomy
Proserpio's traditions are mainly based on the Catholic religion: the patronal feast of Saints Faustinus and Jovita, which falls on February 15th, is the most important event of the year. The celebration includes a solemn procession and a mass in honor of the patron saints. Furthermore, every year, the first weekend of June, the Sagra delle Crote takes place, an event dedicated to local gastronomic specialties.
Proserpio's cuisine is characterized by the simple and genuine flavors of the Brianza cuisine. Among the typical dishes, there are polenta taragna, pizzoccheri, beef braised in red wine, and panna cotta.
Conclusions
Proserpio is a hidden gem worth discovering for its history, pristine nature, traditions, and cuisine. We hope to have provided you with useful information about the city and encouraged you to visit it. We wish you a pleasant stay in Proserpio!
