A PROVINCE TO BE EXPLORED - Visita Milano

Carate, the provost church
ry, of a castle or at least some type of fortified structure
that had been built by the De Carate family in
the area now occupied by Villa Cusani Confalonieri.
Carate was the setting for the battle, in 1275, when
the Visconti and Torriani families fought for control
of Milan. Indeed, the numerous “foppa dei dusent”
– or places where the dead were buried – have provided
much evidence. Since the 16th century, the
land has seen the building of numerous noble villas
by wealthy Milanese. From the late 18th century on
and, more specifically, during the 19th century, the
course of the Lambro River became the setting for
numerous spinning, weaving and dyeing mills, thus
indicating the growth of the local textile industry .
The site of greatest architectural and artistic interest
is located in the Agliate district.
The Basilica of Ss. Pietro e Paolo and the baptistery
of S. Giovanni form an extraordinary R o-
manesque complex built in the 10th and 11th centuries
on the site of some even older buildings. The
basilica is a good example of Lombard architecture,
with a sloping façade, a nave and twin aisles (some
Monza and its province
88