A PROVINCE TO BE EXPLORED - Visita Milano

Arcore
Villa Borromeo D’Adda, the chapel: dome and monuments by Vincenzo Vela
the 8th-century monastery of S. Martino was redone
and incorporated into the villa. In the second
half of the 18th century, Count Giorgio Giulini
gave it a N eoclassical taste, creating the typical
U shape facing the town centre. The vast century-old
park stretches almost as far as the Lambro
River and contains a N eoclassical lemonhouse.
The Villa passed to the Cas ati family in
1840 through marriage and this family went on
to play a prominent role in Arcore in the 19th and
20th centuries. Camillo (18 05-1869) was a local
councillor who backed the building of the Monza
and L ecco railway. Aless andro (18 81-1955),
once Minister of Education and a good friend of
Benedetto Croce, was involved in the partisan
fight a gainst N azism a nd Fascism. Many locals
were involved in the attac ks on the airfield and
the Valaperta massacre.
One of the oldest buildings in Arcore is Villa
Cazzola (private). This 16th-century construction is
based on an older building and was used as a hunting
lodge before being modified by the Durini family
in 16 30 and in 1812, using a project by Carlo
Amati. In the final decade of the 19th century, during
major restoration work, the chapel was built using
a project by the brothers Fausto and Giuseppe
Bagatti Valsecchi. It is surrounded by a wonderful
landscaped garden that has 18th-century elements.
The scenically located Villa Borromeo D’Adda
is the result of an eclectic-rococo transformation
(1840-1845) by Giuseppe Balzaretti of an 18thcentury
building owned by the D’Adda family. The
Monza and its province
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Fair and Palio
of S. Eustorgio
In September, during the
second weekend of the
month, the feast of the patron
saint is held. It is organised
by the local Pro
Loco in collaboration with
the municipal administration
and some local associations.
Marching bands
and traditional dance
groups are all actively involved.
The event includes:
photographic exhibitions,
games for children, tasting
of traditional foods and the
Palio dei Rioni, dedicated
to games from bygone
times, including tug-of-war
and a wheelbarrow race.
The winning district is
awarded a standard by the
mayor. There are other
events at the parish church
of S. Eustorgio: religious
ceremonies, theatre, musical
evenings and fireworks.