Picture this. You stand before Villasanta a town steeped in history. Its story begins long before its current name. Evidence suggests that Villasanta’s heart emerged during the Roman era. It was a vital stop on the road connecting Milan Monza and Olginate. This was a bustling crossroads. Travelers rested here. They replenished their supplies.
Villasanta’s true heart though lies in its churches. The church of Saint Anastasia stands as a testament to its enduring faith. Documents verify its existence as early as AD 768. Some historians like Oleg Zastrow believe its origins extend much further back. Perhaps even to the time of Theodoric the Great around 500 AD or earlier. Imagine the countless prayers whispered within these walls over centuries.
Nearby stood the church and hospice of Saint Alexander. This hospice a place of refuge and care operated for centuries. It welcomed weary travelers offering them food and shelter. The hospice eventually fell into disuse around 1300. Yet its legacy remains woven into the fabric of Villasanta.
The town itself grew around Saint Anastasia’s church. Initially called the “Place of the Saint” it eventually became simply “La Santa”. Other areas that are now part of Villasanta such as Sant’Alessandro and San Fiorano were known as Villola or Coliate in medieval times.
In 1578 Saint Charles Borromeo elevated Saint Anastasia’s church to parish status. This unified the entire municipal territory under one religious authority. Yet administratively La Santa and Villa San Fiorano remained separate entities. Villa San Fiorano existed as its own municipality from the 14th century until 1757.
In 1791 Villa San Fiorano fell under the Monza court. This was part of the province of Milan’s larger administrative structure. The fate of La Santa and Villa San Fiorano changed dramatically in 1928. La Santa was separated from Monza and merged with Villa San Fiorano. The newly unified town was then rechristened Villasanta a beautiful blend of its historical components.
Today Villasanta proudly displays its coat of arms. A symbol that reflects the contributions of three ancient families: the Mellerio Taverna and Somaglia families. The watermelon represents the Mellerios. The silver and black stripes and the dog symbolize the Tavernas. The fess with a horse bit and three rings signifies the Somaglias. These families shaped Villasanta into what it is today a place of history faith and enduring community. Their legacy lives on. In Villasanta’s very essence.