Acknowledged as one of Lombardy’s oldest towns Rho whispers tales from Roman times. Rho’s story begins long before the grand Fiera Milano or its bustling railway stations. Imagine this area centuries ago when Roman soldiers marched along the Via Mediolanum-Verbannus. This road linked Milan to Lake Maggiore. Rho became a crucial resting point for the army roughly ten miles from Milan.
Today Rho may appear modern. However, the echoes of its past are embedded in its very layout. Notice how the roads run parallel in east-west and north-south directions. These reflect the ancient Roman grid system, the cardo and Decumano. Piazza San Vittore remains the heart of Rho. This square stands at the crossroads of those ancient Roman roads.
Rho’s importance grew because of its strategic location and resourceful engineering. Romans redirected the Olona River. They created a canal that ran parallel to the road. This ingenious solution increased traffic and eased the transport of goods.
But Rho wasn’t just a Roman military outpost. The Christianization of the village occurred between the 4th and 5th centuries. Archeological finds in Piazza San Vittore revealed an ancient cemetery and a Christian chapel.
The barbarian invasions brought economic hardship. Rho then fell under the control of the Lombards and Franks. However, Rho persevered. It even adopted names like Pomero from the Latin “Post Moerus.” This means outside the walls. Some say that Pomero refers to the many apple trees in the area.
The first written record of Rho dates back to January 9, 864 AD. The document calls it Vicus Raudus which means a cluster of houses. Rho continued to develop.
Around 1000 AD Rho flourished as a free commune. Emperor Henry II visited Rho in 1004. He granted Rho the role of capopieve or leading church jurisdiction. He also established a weekly market that still takes place every Monday.
The story of Giovanni de Raude is also remarkable. According to the legend he was a flagbearer of the Christian army during the First Crusade. He hoisted the first Christian flag on the walls of Jerusalem in 1099.
Unfortunately Rho’s growth was often interrupted by conflict. Frederick Barbarossa razed Rho in 1160 as punishment for rebellion. However, the town quickly recovered.
In the 15th century, many Milanese nobles moved to Rho. They constructed lavish palaces. Though most no longer exist, they speak of Rho’s past glory. In 1583, a painting of Pietà reportedly cried blood tears. This event led to the construction of the Sanctuary to the Lady of Sorrows.
Despite periods of plague and Spanish oppression, Rho continued to evolve. The opening of the Fiera Milano exhibition center in 2005 marked a new chapter. Rho hosted Expo 2015. It demonstrated its global significance.
Today Rho is a dynamic city that honors its past while embracing the future. Its coat of arms features a wheel with five spokes. This represents the Capitanei de Raude family and symbolizes strength and victory. So as we stand here let’s remember the layers of history. From Roman roads to medieval markets and modern-day exhibitions Rho has always been a crossroads of civilizations.