Olgiate Molgora
Olgiate Molgora
Ulgiàa (Brianzöö dialect) | |
|---|---|
| Comune di Olgiate Molgora | |
View from Monte di Brianza | |
|
Coat of arms | |
Location of Olgiate Molgora | |
Olgiate Molgora Location of Olgiate Molgora in Italy Olgiate Molgora Olgiate Molgora (Lombardy) | |
| Coordinates: 45°44′N 9°24′E / 45.733°N 9.400°E | |
| Country | Italy |
| Region | Lombardy |
| Province | Province of Lecco (LC) |
| Frazioni | Beolco, Borlengo, Buttero, Canova, Monastirolo, Mondonico, Monticello, Olcellera, Olgiate Vecchio, Pianezzo, Pilata, Porchera, Regondino, San Zeno, Vallicelli, Valmara |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Giovanni Battista Bernocco (Civic List "Olgiate Rinasce") |
| Area | |
• Total | 7.2 km2 (2.8 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 287 m (942 ft) |
| Population (January 2025)[2] | |
• Total | 6,324 |
| • Density | 880/km2 (2,300/sq mi) |
| Demonym | Olgiatesi |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) |
| Postal code | 23887 |
| Dialing code | 039 |
| Patron saint | Saint Zeno |
| Saint day | April 12 |
| Website | Official website |
Olgiate Molgora (Brianzöö: Ulgiàa) is a comune in the Province of Lecco in the Lombardy region of Italy, located 35 km northeast of Milan at 287 meters elevation. As of 2025, it had 6,324 inhabitants across its 7.2 km² territory.
The municipality occupies a central position with respect to Milan, Lecco, Como, Bergamo and Monza which places it in an area well connected to the main urban, tourist and production centres. The presence of the Olgiate railway station, served by the S8 line of the Milan suburban railway service, with frequent connections that allow you to easily reach Milan (30 minutes), Lake Como (20 minutes), as well as the airports of Milan-Malpensa, Milan-Bergamo and Milan-Linate.[3]
Geography
Physical setting
Situated in the Brianza area near Merate, the municipality lies within the Milan metropolitan area. Despite high population density (~1000/km²), it maintains a balance between urban development and natural landscapes, featuring typical pre-Alpine hills with woods, farmland, and residential areas.
It borders the municipalities of Airuno, Brivio, Calco, Colle Brianza, La Valletta Brianza, Merate, Montevecchia, Santa Maria Hoè.
Climate
The climate is humid subtropical (Köppen Cfa) with hot summers and annual rainfall peaking in spring (March-May) and autumn (October-November).
Etymology
The name "Olgiate" derives from Celtic olca (plowed field), while "Molgora" refers to the local river. The full name was adopted in 1863 to distinguish it from other Italian towns named Olgiate.
History
Ancient to medieval
Evidence of Roman and Lombard settlements exists, particularly in Beolco where a Roman altar and 7th-century Lombard tombs were found. Queen Theodelinda initiated land reclamation projects in the 6th century to control Adda River floods.
Modern era
Key historical developments:
- 1491: Incorporated into the "Fief of the Four Pievi" under Bartolomeo Calco
- 1646: Gained independence from feudal rule
- 1863: Officially renamed Olgiate Molgora
- 1927-1953: Temporarily merged with Calco as Olgiate Calco
Main sights
Religious architecture
- San Zeno Parish Church (18th century) - Main church with Romanesque bell tower
- Maria Madre della Chiesa (1978) - Modern parish complex
- San Pietro Church (11th-12th c.) in Beolco - Contains Romanesque sculptures
- Santa Maria Addolorata Sanctuary (1587) in Porchera
Civil architecture
- Porchera Tower (13th c. modified in 15th c.)
- Villa Sommi Picenardi (17th c.) - Neoclassical villa with English garden
- Villa Gola (16th-19th c.) - Former residence of painter Emilio Gola
- Town Hall (1922-24) - Notable Fascist-era architecture
Culture
The municipality of Olgiate Molgora contains the frazioni (subdivisions, mainly villages and hamlets) Olgiate Vecchio, Buttero, Mondonico, Porchera, San Zeno, Beolco, Monticello, Pianezzo, Monastirolo, Canova, Regondino, and Olcellera.
Local dialect
The Brianzöö dialect of Lombard remains in use alongside Italian.
Annual events
- April: Saint Zeno Festival
- June: "Garden of Hesperides" cultural event
- September: Last Summer Moon Theater Festival
- November: Library Open Day
Infrastructure
It is served by centrally located Olgiate-Calco-Brivio railway station, which is a part of the Milan S Lines (S8), the hybrid urban–suburban rail system serving the metropolitan area of Milan.[4]
Transport
- Road: SS 342 Briantea highway; A51 motorway exit 11 km away
- Rail: Olgiate-Calco-Brivio railway station on Milan-Lecco line (S8)
- Public transit: Regular buses to Bergamo and Como.[5]
Healthcare
Nearest hospital: San Leopoldo Mandic (Merate, 4 km)
Demographic evolution
Foreign residents
As of 2020, immigrants constitute 11.3% of population:
- Romania (153)
- Morocco (107)
- Albania (92)
- India (59)
- Senegal (50)
Administration
Twin towns
- Stocksmoor, United Kingdom (since 1998)
- Oisterwijk, Netherlands (since 2024)
References
- ^ "Superficie di Comuni Province e Regioni italiane al 9 ottobre 2011". Italian National Institute of Statistics. Retrieved 16 March 2019.
- ^ "Popolazione Residente al 1° Gennaio 2018". Italian National Institute of Statistics. Retrieved 16 March 2019.
- ^ "Linea Lecco-Carnate-Milano P.ta Garibaldi | Trenord". www.trenord.it (in Italian). Archived from the original on 2024-12-07. Retrieved 2025-04-15.
- ^ "Trenord - Regional & Suburban Railway". www.trenord.it. Retrieved 2020-06-25.
- ^ "Homepage". ASF Autolinee (in Italian). Retrieved 2025-04-19.
Further reading
- Belloni, Luigi Mario et al. Castles, Basilicas and Villas: Architectural Treasures of Lake Como Area. Como: La Provincia Editoriale, 1991.
- Brusetti, Lorenzo & Cogliati, Massimo. Olgiate Molgora: A Community in Motion. Missaglia: Bellavite, 2001.