San Fermo della Battaglia
Welcome to San Fermo della Battaglia
Welcome to San Fermo della Battaglia, a charming Italian town located in the province of Como, in Lombardy, with a population of about 7,822 inhabitants. This city has a rich history that dates back to the Bronze Age in Europe and covers various historical periods, such as pre-Roman iron age, middle ages, Napoleonic era and the Second Italian War of Independence. In this text, we will discover together the history of San Fermo della Battaglia.
History
The area where San Fermo della Battaglia stands today, formerly called Vergosa, has been permanently inhabited since the Bronze age. The neighboring archaeological sites of Lora, Prestino, and Pianvalle attest to the existence, already in the pre-Roman iron age, of a prosperous community of villages crossed by a road that led from Como, passing through Vergosa, towards Uggiate-Trevano and Olgiate Comasco, now partially overlapped by the Como-Varese route.
The center of Vergosa was of ancient origin and always linked to the territory of Como. It was part of the communal age of Como and belonged to the parish of Uggiate. In 1095, Urban II consecrated the church of Santa Maria di Lurate in Vergosa. In 1652, the small center obtained redemption from the feud, but was forced to a quinquennial payment still active in 1751. In 1808, the municipality of Vergosa was suppressed and aggregated to the city of Como, but regained autonomy following the establishment of the Lombard-Veneto Kingdom. Six years later, a new compartmentalization of the Duchy of Milan implied a shift of Vergosa in the parish of Uggiate.
On May 27th, 1859, the most celebrated episode in the history of the locality occurred: the Battle of San Fermo. It was a brief but harsh clash between the Alpine Hunters, led by Giuseppe Garibaldi, and the Austrian garrison of Como commanded by General Karl von Urban, part of whom was stationed in defense near the church of San Fermo.
Today's San Fermo della Battaglia
Today, San Fermo della Battaglia is a town that boasts a lively cultural and social life. It is located in a strategic area, a few kilometers from Como, from where it is possible to reach numerous other places along the lake shore, such as Cernobbio, Moltrasio, Laglio, Tremezzo, Lenno, Menaggio, and Bellagio. San Fermo della Battaglia also offers numerous tourist attractions, such as a visit to the church dedicated to San Fermo and Rustico, which dates back to 1200 and contains valuable paintings and an altar-piece. Don't miss the visit to the church of San Carlo Borromeo, located in the historic center, and to Villa Olmo in Como.
Culinary notes
The cuisine of San Fermo della Battaglia is considered part of the vast Como culinary heritage. The area is renowned for the production of cheeses, particularly the famous "Formaggella di Monte". Among the local specialties, we also remember polenta and braised meat, which should be served with a good glass of red wine from the surrounding areas. San Fermo della Battaglia is also famous for its sweets, especially "Miasse" and "Miasseu", fried sweets filled with cream or plum jam.
Conclusions
If you are thinking of taking a vacation in Lombardy, don't forget to include San Fermo della Battaglia on your list of places to visit. Here, you can discover the history of an ancient hamlet and taste the delicacies of local cuisine. From its millenary churches to its enchanting view, San Fermo della Battaglia never disappoints its visitors. And above all, don't forget to climb Mount San Fermo, from which you can admire a 360-degree panorama that will leave you breathless.
