“Dugnano was once a small farming village.” That’s how our journey through this charming district of Paderno Dugnano begins. Dugnano is more than just a suburb. It’s a place with a past. A place that has seen centuries of change.
Dugnano’s history stretches back to ancient times. It was once part of the Pieve of Desio. This means it fell under the religious and administrative authority of Desio. Even back then, Dugnano had its own identity. It was both a parish and a municipality.
Let’s jump ahead to 1751. Records show Dugnano as a Milanese village with 690 residents. By 1805, the population had grown to 841. During Napoleon’s rule, Dugnano briefly expanded. From 1810 to 1816, Incirano and Paderno were added to Dugnano. Cusano joined them in 1812. The combined population was 2,647. But this union didn’t last.
When the Kingdom of Lombardy-Veneto was established, each municipality regained its independence. In 1853, Dugnano had 1,506 residents. By 1861, that number was 1,595. Then, in 1869, Dugnano was joined to Paderno Milanese. In 1886, the combined town became Paderno Dugnano.
Now, let’s talk about the sights of Dugnano. We will start with the Parrocchia dei Santi Nazaro e Celso. The church of Saints Nazaro and Celso is the main religious building in Dugnano. These saints are the patrons of Dugnano. The church dates back to the mid-19th century. But there was an older parish church from the 1500s. Countess Teresa Dugnani donated the land for the new church.
Giacomo Moraglia designed the church in a late Neoclassical style. Construction took only seven months. In the late 19th century, Luigi Tagliaferri completely renovated the interior. He created frescoes in the presbytery and on the ceiling of the nave. Inside the main altar are relics of Saint Boniface and Saint Fortunato.
Dugnano also boasts impressive secular buildings. These include Corte Stiria, which houses the Paderno Dugnano town hall. There are also Villas Dugnani, Negroni and Lado. Another is Villa Uboldi Orombelli.
Dugnano has transformed over the centuries. From an agricultural village to a part of a larger town. Yet, it retains its unique charm. As we conclude our visit to Dugnano remember its rich history. Remember its beautiful church. Remember the names of Saints Nazaro and Celso, patrons of Dugnano.