Solbiate Olona
Welcome to Solbiate Olona, a historic town in Lombardy
Solbiate Olona is a town in the province of Varese in Lombardy, with a population of about 5350 inhabitants. The nearest city is Busto Arsizio, which is only 5 kilometers away. The name of the municipality derives from the Latin ''Salvius'' or ''Sulvius'' and refers to the location of the town on the Olona river bank. Solbiate Olona has a rich and interesting history that dates back to 1017, as indicated by the documents.
A brief history of Solbiate Olona
The municipality can boast a series of historical events, including the passage of Frederick Barbarossa in 1176, the fire by the troops of the Cardinal of Sion in 1511, and the plundering by the Lansquenets in 1515. In 1564, Solbiate Olona became a parish and between 1631 and 1632 there was a plague epidemic, after which the lazaretto was built, still used in 1884 following a cholera epidemic. In 1650, Solbiate became a fief of Francesco Maria Terzaghi and in 1800, the municipal cemetery was built, inaugurated on October 18, 1803.
Solbiate Olona was an advanced and modern town, with asphalted roads and a well-equipped sports center that offered tennis courts, bowling alleys, volleyball courts, basketball courts, a racing track, a cinema, a dance hall, and a music band. In 1823, cotton processing started at Cotonificio Ponti, and in 1890, Andrea Ponti built the kindergarten and the elementary school up to the third grade. In 1893, Solbiello became part of the municipality, on a Royal Decree by Umberto I of Savoy, and in 1902 the railway was built, connecting Castellanza with Cairate and Lonate Ceppino. In 1921, the monument to the fallen was built and in 1957 SIR transformed the town's agricultural economy into an industrial one. In 1964, the Italian President Antonio Segni conferred Solbiate with the banner.
Places of interest in Solbiate Olona
Solbiate Olona has some places of interest, including two historic churches. The church of San Gregorio was originally built as a lazaretto during the plague epidemic of 1632 and then used again during the cholera epidemic of 1884. The Church of Gervasio and Protasio, located in Solbiello, dates back to the 11th century and houses a miraculous crucifix inside.
Conclusions
Solbiate Olona is an interesting municipality with a rich history. From the passages of nobles, the building of monuments, and the transformation of the agricultural economy into an industrial one, the municipality has a lot to offer. Visit Solbiate Olona to discover more about its history and its rich culture.
