Happy TravellerWelcome to Cinisello Balsamo, a beautiful comune located in the Metropolitan City of Milan in the Lombardy region of Italy. With a population of around 75,200, this charming city is situated just 10 kilometers northeast of Milan city center and is surrounded by the municipalities of Monza, Muggiò, Nova Milanese, Paderno Dugnano, Cusano Milanino, Sesto San Giovanni, and Bresso. Cinisello Balsamo was formed in 1928 by the union of Cinisello and Balsamo, and received the honorary title of city through a presidential decree on 17 October 1972.
History:
Until the late 1920s, Cinisello and Balsamo were two separate municipalities. By royal decree, on 13 September 1928 a merger was arranged to form the current common. As a symbol, the emblem of the city now encompasses those of the two municipalities merged: the emblem of the pastoral and the sword on a red field in fact belongs to Balsamo, the rampant crowned lion on a blue field belongs to Cinisello.
Name:
Cinisello (from the Latin cinis, Ashes, through cinixellum, indicating the fertility of the land from the ashen color, but traditional, though not exactly confirmed – even if you have found Roman remains in the area – is the theory that Cinisello comes from Cinis Aelii, Ash of Aelius, a Roman gens had here, probably, a branch of the Imperial Age) is the western part of the city. In another theory (also not exactly confirmed) resulting from studies done in the Historical Archive of Arms would be that both Cini, both Sello, were ancient and noble Houses from Trentino who settled in the area, providing their names to the same, which were decorated with the title of nobility with special merit achieved for works done in favor of the Fatherland. Balsamo (perhaps the balsam tree, but it might just be the surname of a noble family and elders of the town in the Middle Ages) is the eastern half.
Main sights:
Cinisello Balsamo is home to a number of beautiful churches and historic landmarks, including the Church of SantAmbrogio (17th century) in Cinisello, the small church of SantEusebio, dating from Lombard times, the Shrine of St. Martin Bishop (16th century), the Church of San Martino (16th century) in Balsamo, and the Villa Ghirlanda Silva Cipelletti (16th century) with one of the first Landscape gardens in Italy, designed by count Ercole Silva in the early 19th century. Other notable attractions include Gramsci Square, the main square in Cinisello, which is overlooked by the Church of St. Ambrogio and Villa Arconati, as well as the Church of Saint Pio X (1958), Church of Saint Joseph worker (1957), Church of Saint Peter (1968), Church of Sacred Family (1965), Church of Santa Margherita (1961), and Church of San Bernardino.
People:
Cinisello Balsamo has been home to a number of notable individuals throughout history, including beatified Dominican lay brother Carino of Balsamo, cyclist Carlo Oriani (1888), voice actor Valerio Ruggeri (1934), footballer Ernesto Castano (1939), footballer and coach Pierino Prati (1946), footballer and coach Gaetano Scirea (1953), footballer and coach Marco Veronese (1976), boxer Roberto Cammarelle (1980), rapper Sfera Ebbasta (1992), and actor and Internet personality Luciano Spinelli (2000).
Twin towns:
Cinisello Balsamo is twinned with Mazzarino, Italy.
Whether you’re interested in history, culture, or simply soaking up the beauty of Italy, Cinisello Balsamo is a must-visit destination. With its rich heritage, stunning architecture, and warm, welcoming locals, this charming comune is sure to capture your heart and leave you with memories to last a lifetime.
