A PROVINCE TO BE EXPLORED - Visita Milano

Giussano
er Giovanni da Giuss ano, architect of the cathedral
in Milan. The fourth window is ab out progress and
the history of man, from prehistory to the conquest
of space. In terms of 20th-century artwork, it is worth
noting the two monuments by Alfredo Sassi at the
civic centre and the one in the Harry Rosenthal public
gardens, called For Freedom and dedicated to the
Resistance in Italy . In 18 90, the generosity of the
Borella family enabled the hospital to be built (it was
later enlarged in 1960). The old parish church stood
on piazza S. Giacomo and was rebuilt in 1932, when
it was dedicated to Saints Philip and James and
turned into a basilica. In the first decades of the 20th
century, a parish priest by the name of Rinaldo
Beretta distinguished himself for the work he did for
the community, including holding night sc hool to
teach the local population to read. T he villa culture
is notable here. Firstly, there is Villa Sartirana, now
the public library. It stands on a site that was first developed
in the 15th century . In 16 40, it was p ur-
Festivals
in Giussano
Giubiana Parade and Bonfire: a
traditional festival that is very
popular i n P iedmont a nd
Lombardy (especially Brianza).
On the last Thursday in
January, large bonfires are
lit on the piazza and in key
places. The Giubiana – that
is, an effigy of the Giubiana
made of hay and rags – is
then burnt on these fires.
Feast of the Madonna in October:
this traditional event, organised
by the Giussano
Pro Loco is held on the first
Sunday in Giussano. It includes
theatre shows, dancing
and theme evenings,
typical Milanese cuisine and
fireworks displays.
Out of interest
Alberto da Giussano
Alberto da Giussano is a
legendary character from
the 12th century. The Lombard
military leader is mentioned
in some literary
works written in the following
centuries even though
his h istorical e xistence
cannot be verified. Aside
from w here G iussano
came from, there is no certain
historical or biographical
evidence about him.
He first appears in the historical chronicle
of Milan penned by Galvano Fiamma
in the first half of the 14th century . Alberto
is described as a knight that distinguished
himself, al ong with his two
brothers, in the Battle ofLegnano on 29
May 1176 by leading the Company of
Death, a military group of 900 young
knights entrusted with defending, to the
death, the carroccio wagon (symbol of
the Lombard League) against the Imperial
a rmy o f F rederick I B arbarossa.
In 1876, on the 700th anniversary
of the battle, the
commune of Legnano and
following a rousing discourse
by Giuseppe
Garibaldi (given in the
town in 1862), the town
decided to create a statue
in his honour. The first version
was created by the
sculptor Egidio Pozzi , but
this was replaced with a
new one by Enrico Butti in
1900. The second version shows the
hero that has since become famous,
with his sword raised and his shield on
his left. It is on piazza Monumento, near
the train station. In 1879 Giosuè Carducci
made Alberto da Giussano one of
the protagonists in his famous Canzone
di Legnano . During the 20th century ,
this image has achieved reasonable
fame. Since 1991, a depiction of the
statue in Legnano became the electoral
symbol of the Lega Nord party.
Monza and its province
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