Legnano

Situated along the right bank of the Olona river, on the site of the ancient Leunianum, it is today a lively industrial center with many small and medium sized companies. Legnano is famous for the Victory of the Lombard League against Frederick Barbarossa, a victory which was also an inspiration for poet Giosuè Carducci and composer Giuseppe Verdi, as well as for Goffredo Mameli, the author of the Italian anthem Fratelli d'Italia where Legnano is the only other Italian city mentioned with Rome.

It was scene of defeat of Emperor Frederick I by the Lombard League in 1176. During World War 2 the town fought heroically in the Resistance, and received the Medal to Military Value.

The Townhall Museum, which preserves the standards of the towns of the ancient Lombard League.

The 16th-century church of San Magno, whose design, ascribed to Bramante, was more probably by Giovanni Antonio Amadeo and his school.

In Piazza Monumento the statue made by sculptor Enrico Butti in memory of Alberto da Giussano, the leader of the historical battle of 29 May 1176.

On the last Sunday in May, historical re-enactement of the Legnano Battle, followed by a Palio delle Contrade and a horse-racing competition. The Palio is among the 8 historical contrade: Flora, Legnarello, San Bernardino, San Domenico, San Magno, San Martino, Sant'Ambrogio and Sant'Erasmo. AMong the most impressive features of the event is the parade of over 1000 costume characters towards the stadium for the horse race, and closing the parade the Carroccio, a wagon drawn by oxen, which was the symbol of the Lombard freedom.