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Info:
Altitude: 305 m a.s.l
-- Population: about 21,000 inhabitants
-- Zip/postal code: 23100
-- Phone Area Code: 0342
-- Patron Saint: San Gervasio and san Protasio celebrated on 10th June
-- Frazioni & Località: Arquino, Colda, Ligari, Moroni, Mossini, Ponchiera, Sant'Anna, Triangia
History:
The area was inhabited in ancient times by the Ligurians who were followed from the 5th century BC by the Celts; the Romans established a camp here, but the town was founded by the Lombards. In 1040 it was given as a fiefdom to the De Capitanei family from Vizzola. In the 14th century Sondrio was disputed between Como and Milan, and finally in 1335 became part of the Visconti dominions. From the latter half of the 16th century to the 18th century Sondrio was governed by the Three Gray Leagues of the Grisons and was the capital city of Valtellina. At the time of the Reformation, there were bloody struggles between the Catholic Valtellinesi and the Protestant Grisons.
What to see:
The heart of Sondrio is the central Palazzo Sassi de' Lavizzariwhich hosts the Museo Valtellinese di Storia e Arte, divided into two sections, Archaeology and Art, which also houses an 18th century Stüa, a complete drawing room with floor, roof, furniture, all in carved wood.
the church of Saints Gervasio and Protasio, joint patrons of Sondrio, with a massive belltower in unrefined stone
the Masegra Castle, a 14th century palace repeatedly transformed in the centuries with two towers and imposing portal
Events
the Sondriofestival, a unique event in its 21st year in 2007, held from 15 to 21 October, devoted to nature documentaries made in protected areas all over the world.
MAP OF SONDRIO:
(use the zoom to enlarge and the arrows or your mouse pointer to move around or switch to hybrid, map or satellite view)
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Region Lombardy 
