“A cheese so exquisite it earned its own town’s name.” Have you heard that saying before? Well, you’re standing in that very town right now: Gorgonzola. And let me tell you, the cheese is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to this place. Gorgonzola, this charming town near Milan, has a history as rich and complex as the taste of its namesake cheese.
While the cheese is believed to have originated here around the 9th century, Gorgonzola itself has roots dating back even further. Imagine, back in the 10th century, this was a small village known as “Gorgontiola.” The village was under the watchful eye of the notary clerk from the convent of Saint Ambrose in Milan. He was the caretaker of the local church, dedicated to Saints Gervasio and Protasio.
Over the centuries, Gorgonzola witnessed its fair share of power struggles. From joining the Lombard League to facing the wrath of Frederick II’s forces, the town has seen it all. And throughout it all, the tradition of cheesemaking thrived. It’s said that Gorgonzola cheese, with its distinct blue veins, was a result of a happy accident. A forgetful cheesemaker, rushing to meet his beloved, left his curds unattended. The result? A surprisingly delicious cheese that would make Gorgonzola famous. And to this day, Gorgonzola, the cheese, remains a testament to the town’s enduring legacy.