Vergiate
A trip to Vergiate, among monuments and history
Hello everyone! Today I'm taking you on a tour of a town in Lombardy: Vergiate, or ''Vergiàa'' in Varesotto dialect. With its 8,651 inhabitants, it is located in the western area of the province of Varese, near the morainic hills of Strona, southeast of Lake Comabbio.
The city is rich in monuments and places of interest. Among the religious monuments, there are some dating back to the year 1000, such as the Church of San Gallo. Other churches include the Church of Santa Maria Assunta and the Church of San Martino Vescovo, which has a beautiful 17th-century altar by Bernardino Castelli, a sculptor from Velate, and an organ from 1898.
As for civil buildings, there are the medieval towers of Corgeno (unfortunately reduced to ruins), Sesona, and Vergiate centro, on Via della Torre: they are fascinating places with thousands of stories to discover.
Life and history of the town
Vergiate has had a very intense life. In the 18th century, it had only 440 inhabitants, while in the 19th century this number increased significantly: after the annexation of Sesona, it reached 899 inhabitants. However, the real demographic expansion occurred after the annexation of Cimbro (Vergiate), Corgeno, and Cuirone in 1811. The town reached its peak in 1861, with 1,048 inhabitants.
Today it consists of the main town and 4 other villages: Vergiate (4,811 inhabitants), Corgeno (1,372), Cimbro (Vergiate) (1,106), Sesona (873), and Cuirone (554).
The economy of the town
The economy of Vergiate is based on industry, particularly aeronautics. In fact, the SIAI-Marchetti plant, now owned by the Leonardo group (company), has played an important role in the city's history. The production of airplanes dates back to the beginnings of aeronautics, with machines of considerable importance such as the transatlantic seaplanes of the 1930s. Over the years, airplane production has been replaced by that of helicopters under the AgustaWestland brand.
The infrastructure of Vergiate
The town has its own railway station, served by the Ferrovia Domodossola-Milano line, and is connected to the Italian motorway network via the Sesto Calende - Vergiate exit on the A8/A26 motorway Gallarate-Gattico branch. In addition, there is a small airport for general aviation in Vergiate, which is also the operational headquarters for the Leonardo aeronautical industry.
Sports in Vergiate
Among the local sports associations, there are some very active ones such as the Canottieri di Corgeno and Golf on Track. Over the years, some members have also won Italian national titles.
Conclusions
In conclusion, Vergiate is a dynamic town that has been able to adapt to the changing times, maintaining its historical roots intact. One thing is certain: the city has a lot to offer to those who want to discover its history, monuments, and natural beauties. We can't wait to visit this fascinating place!
