Ronago
Welcome to Ronago: A Look at the Lombardian Municipality
Hi everyone! Today we will talk about Ronago, a municipality in the province of Como in Lombardy. With its 1652 inhabitants, Ronago covers an area of 5.98 km² and is part of the Lombardian Union of Frontier Lands Municipalities. Together, we will discover the geographical location of the town, the origin of its name, its history, and some interesting facts about the municipal territory.
Physical geography
Ronago is located about 20 km from the city of Como, at an altitude of 270 meters above sea level. The municipal territory borders Drezzo, a hamlet of the municipality of Colverde, and Uggiate-Trevano, and to the north, it borders Switzerland. The town is located on a plateau, with the Faloppia stream flowing downstream. Upstream, the hills reach 500 meters in height and mark the border with Switzerland and Uggiate-Trévano. In addition, a large conoidal landslide forms almost a step between the valley and the hamlet.
Origin of its name
The name Ronago may derive from the conical shape of the landslide present in the area. The root "ron" or "run," of probable Celtic origin, indicates water flow. The term is also present in Latin "ruina." In conclusion, the name Ronago could mean "place of the landslide."
History
Traces of human presence in the Ronago territory date back to the Age of the Pile Dwellings. A Prehistoric boat was found in the Campersico area. During the 20th century, Roman artifacts were also found, such as a pottery ossuary now preserved at the Civic and Archaeological Museum of Locarno, as well as other remains of Roman tombs. Ronago was located on the Roman road Via Novaria-Comum. In the past, the Faloppia Valley was called "Chiasso Maggiore Valley," while the current Chiasso was called "Lower Chiasso" or "Chiasso delle Taverne." The part of Ronago near the stream banks was a passage or connecting pass between Como and the Olona Valley.
The first historical mention of Ronago dates back to 875, while an act of 1030 mentions the "castrum de Ronago," describing some toponyms still existing and the historical nucleus of the town center. Moreover, during the Ten-Year War for territorial possession, in 1121 Ronago was the scene of a battle in which 14 knights lost their lives. The first mayor of Ronago is documented in a case between the inhabitants of the municipality and the counts of Seprio, debated and won before the Milanese judges in 1155.
Interesting facts about the municipal territory
The town of Ronago has a lot to offer visitors. For example, you can visit the parish church of San Bernardo, dating back to the 14th century, where you can admire the triptych made by Giovanni Angelo del Maino in 1483. Furthermore, on the hill upstream of the town, you will find one of the most important nativity scenes in the area, the Ronago Nativity Scene, set up every year in the Palazzo dei Battenti. Other attractions include the Faloppia Waterfall, the artificial waterfall on the Faloppia stream, and the Lura Natural Park, a beautiful nature reserve a few kilometers from Ronago.
In conclusion, Ronago is a beautiful municipality where history blends with the beauty of the landscape. I hope I have conveyed some of my passion for this special place!
