Molteno Moltee (Lombard) | |
|---|---|
| Comune di Molteno | |
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  Molteno Location of Molteno in Italy Show map of Italy Molteno Molteno (Lombardy) Show map of Lombardy | |
| Coordinates:45°47′N9°18′E / 45.783°N 9.300°E /45.783; 9.300 | |
| Country | Italy |
| Region | Lombardy |
| Province | Lecco (LC) |
| Frazioni | Gaesso, Molino, Luzzana, Raviola, Pascolo, Coroldo |
| Area | |
• Total | 3.2 km2 (1.2 sq mi) |
| Population (December 2004)[2] | |
• Total | 3,206 |
| • Density | 1,000/km2 (2,600/sq mi) |
| Demonym | Moltenesi |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) |
| Postal code | 23847 |
| Dialing code | 031 |
| Patron saint | San Giorgio |
| Saint day | April 23 |
| Website | Official website |
Molteno (Italian:[molˈteːno];[3]Brianzoeu:Moltee) is acomune (municipality) and a hill-top town in theProvince of Lecco in the Italian regionLombardy, located about 35 kilometres (22 mi) northeast ofMilan and about 11 kilometres (7 mi) southwest ofLecco. As of 31 December 2004, it had a population of 3,206 and an area of 3.2 square kilometres (1.2 sq mi).[4]
The central feature of the area is the isolated hill,"Il Ceppo", on the top of which is the church of San Giorgio (patron saint of the region). The slopes around it are still partly covered in vines and mulberry trees.
The Molteno castle, which commanded the area from this hill in medieval times, no longer exists.
Molteno is also the meeting point of the two main rivers of the area, theBevera and the smaller Gandaloglio.
The municipality of Molteno contains thefrazioni (subdivisions, mainly villages) Gaesso, Molino, Luzzana, Raviola, Pascolo, and Coroldo.
Molteno borders the following municipalities:Annone di Brianza,Bosisio Parini,Costa Masnaga,Garbagnate Monastero,Oggiono,Rogeno,Sirone.
Molteno was aRoman settlement, however it is not known by what name the settlement was called, nor whether the origins of the name "Molteno" stretch back that far. Nonetheless, numerous weapons, ceramics, tools, iron-ware, coins and even tombs have been found here from that period.
The area remainedpagan relatively late. Christianity spread in the surrounding countryside from the end of the 5th century, and the first churches were built in the town only around the 6th century. After the collapse of theempire, the region fell into warring tribes which allied with the principal barbarian leaders, such asUraias the Ostrogoth, who laid waste to Milan in 539. In 568 theLombards entered northern Italy, giving the region its future name ofLombardy.
Molteno'sil Ceppo hill forms a natural fortress and medieval documents confirm that during the time of theHoly Roman Empire, Molteno was a castle, surrounded byfortifications that were later pulled down in peacetime (although thePiazza di Castello still marks the spot).Emperor Barbarossa of the Holy Roman Empire, in his long-running war againstan alliance of powerful Italian city states, led several enormous armies through this region in order to attackMilan.
With the prosperity of the Renaissance, the republicancity states ("Communi") of Italy came to be increasingly dominated by powerful families ("Signorie"). Molteno traditionally fell within the political orbit ofMilan and as such was controlled by families like theDella Torres, theVisconti and theSforza. Molteno's parent state was unique however, in that the MilaneseSignoria of the Visconti family was recognized and controlled by a constitution.
Molteno, like the rest of the Brianza region, later saw the passing of numerous foreign administrations including the Spanish, the French and the Habsburgs before joining the insurrection that led to theunification of Italy.
Thetown hall of Molteno is situated within the park ofVilla Rosa. The town centres around thePiazza Risorgimento, from which runs the street up to theChiesa di San Giorgio on the top of Ceppo hill. From theforecourt and broad steps of the church it is possible to look southwards over a wide panorama of the countryside and of the hill country of theBrianza. The houses cluster in narrow, crooked streets around the slopes and the base of the hill. Another central feature of Molteno isPiazza Europa, which every Wednesday hosts the town market.
Local events include:
The historic Molteno railway station (1888) is now an important centre of interchange in theBrianza region, between theComo–Lecco and theMonza–Molteno–Lecco lines.
The comune of Molteno is also crossed by theStrada statale 36 (SS 36) fromMilan toPasso dello Spluga on the Swiss-Italian border.
