Ever wondered how two towns decided to become one? That’s the story of Bovisio Masciago.
Bovisio Masciago is a town in Lombardy. It is in the province of Monza e Brianza. About seventeen thousand people live here. The town borders the province of Milan. You will find Bovisio Masciago in the high Po Valley. It sits at the foot of the Brianza hills. Milan is about 17 km away. Como is 22 km away. Monza is only 10 km away.
Originally, there were two separate towns. They were Bovisio and Masciago Milanese. In 1927, Carlo Zari invited Marco Cerati to unite the towns. Carlo Zari was the mayor of Bovisio. Marco Cerati was the mayor of Masciago Milanese. On December 31, 1928, King Vittorio Emanuele III made it official. He created a single town called Bovisio.
But the story does not end there. Twenty years later, people in Masciago Milanese protested. In 1947, the town changed its name. It became Bovisio Masciago. This recognized both parts of the town.
The name Bovisio may come from Roman times. It could mean “bovis otium”. This suggests the Roman army kept supplies and animals here. In 1935, a Gallic-Roman tomb was found. This confirmed Bovisio’s Roman origins. Masciago comes from the Latin name Maccius. So, Bovisio Masciago has roots stretching back centuries.
The town is divided into three parts. The first part is the eastern plain. Here, you will find homes and a large power plant. Some fields remain. The second part is a valley. It is lower than the surrounding plain. The third part is a raised area. It is about 1.5 km from the town center. This area is part of the Groane Park. It has woods and meadows.
The main river is the Seveso. It runs through the town. The northern area has two streams. They are the Lombra and the Garbogera.
Bovisio Masciago is part of several parks. These include the Groane Park and the GruBrìa park. It is also home to the LIPU Oasis. LIPU is the Italian Bird Protection League. This Oasis features artificial lakes. These lakes were once clay quarries.
The town has several notable buildings. Villa Erba-Odescalchi-Scotti is now the town hall. It dates back to the mid-1600s. Villa Sonzoni-Mariani-Compostella has changed owners many times. Villa Zari has many styles. These include Neoclassical and Liberty. Villa Agnesi-Mariani-Radice-Fossati is linked to Maria Gaetana Agnesi. She was a famous mathematician.
Bovisio Masciago also has religious buildings. The Parish Church of San Pancrazio was rebuilt in 1774. It holds relics of San Bonifacio. The old Church of San Martino dates back to the 1200s. A new Church of San Martino was built in 1966.
Bovisio Masciago celebrates its patron saints. The Feast of San Martino is in November. It includes a historical parade. Expo Brianza happens during the Feast of San Pancrazio. Here, local artisans display their work.
Once, farming was the main activity. People raised silkworms. In the 1800s, crafts and industry grew. The Zari family had a major industry. They made wood floors and office furniture. They also made planes during World War I.
Bovisio Masciago is a town with a rich past. From Roman roots to modern industry. It has a unique story. A story of two towns becoming one.