In the heart of Lombardy, near the bustling city of Milan, lies the quaint village of Casate. “Casate” comes from the term “casates”, meaning scattered farmhouses. Imagine the scene in the 17th century: humble dwellings dotting the fields. Casate isn’t mentioned in historical records until 1603, in Cardinal Federico Borromeo’s “Atti della visita pastorale”. Life was simple then, centered around agriculture. But the villagers lacked a dedicated place of worship. In the late 1600s, Abbot Ferdinand Crivelli recognized this need and commissioned a church for Casate. The church was consecrated in 1705. A plaque inside commemorates this act of generosity. It speaks of making sacred rituals more accessible to the surrounding farmers. The inscription honors the Virgin Mary. Casate sits east of the Ticino River, about 27 kilometers west of Milan. The village is bordered by Cuggiono to the north, Mesero to the east, and Bernate Ticino to the south and west. Today, Casate is a thriving village with a population of around 1,100. It retains its peaceful charm, a testament to its humble agricultural origins.
Nuovo Cimitero di Cologno Monzese
“A timeless sanctuary,” the old woman whispered, her gaze fixed on the rows of marble within Nuovo Cimitero di Cologno