“Lorenteggio,” a name whispered on the wind. It evokes images of Milan’s southwest, a place where history and modernity intertwine. Lorenteggio wasn’t always part of Milan. It began as a rural comune named Lorenteggio e Uniti. The name Lorenteggio comes from Laurentiglio, a diminutive of Laurente. Imagine Lorenteggio in 1800. It was a small village with only 143 inhabitants.
In 1841, part of Lorenteggio was annexed to Corsico. The rest became part of the Corpi Santi comune. A toll-gate marked the boundary between these two parts. The toll-gate building remains. Although renewed, it is still called Il Dazio, meaning “the Toll-gate”. Today, it is a restaurant marking the border between Milan and Corsico. For years it was even a McDonald’s.
Lorenteggio remained rural until the late 19th century. Its land was divided into cascine, or farmhouses. Some existed well into the 20th century. The 20th century brought big changes. Lorenteggio was annexed to Milan. Rapid urbanization and industrialization followed. The construction of the railway to southwest Lombardy boosted the area. The San Cristoforo railway station opened in 1909. It is still in use. One of the most famous factories was Osram, a lighting manufacturer. Apartment blocks sprang up in Lorenteggio in the mid-20th century. Today, Lorenteggio is urban. Only past Corsico can you find traces of the rural landscape.
Now, let’s talk about getting around Lorenteggio. The Giambellino-Lorenteggio district is well-connected. Several Milan Metro stops serve the area. Trams run on Via Giambellino. Buses are also available. Via Lorenteggio is the main road to Milan’s center. It continues as the Strada Vigevanese, connecting Milan to Vigevano. The Circonvallazione ring road passes through the district. Trolleybus lines circle the area. Interurban buses depart from the district’s edge. They connect to nearby towns.
The San Cristoforo railway station links to Porta Genova in Milan. It also extends to Abbiategrasso and Mortara in Lomellina. There are plans for a new Milan Metro station at San Cristoforo. This will provide a direct link to Linate Airport. But amidst the modern development, there is history. Via Lorenteggio and Via Giambellino have few old buildings. Most were built in the 1960s or later. However, the medieval Church of Saint Protasius stands out.
This small church was nearly demolished when Via Lorenteggio was built. Locals protested. The church was saved by placing it on a traffic island. Although architecturally simple, the church is ancient. It dates back to at least the 11th century. It holds interesting frescoes though they are badly preserved. It is strongly tied to Milanese tradition. Legend says Frederick I Barbarossa prayed here. He prayed before the siege of Milan.
Lorenteggio is a vibrant district with a rich history. It is a place where rural roots meet urban life. It is also a place where tradition is cherished. It has been experiencing urban redevelopment. This will bring sustainable development and regeneration.