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Comune in Lombardy, Italy From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Magenta (Italian pronunciation: [maˈdʒɛnta],[3][4] Lombard pronunciation: [maˈdʒẽːta]) is a town and comune in the Metropolitan City of Milan in Lombardy, northern Italy. It became notable as the site of the Battle of Magenta in 1859. The color magenta takes its name from the battle.[5]
Magenta | |
---|---|
Città di Magenta | |
Coordinates: 45°28′N 08°53′E | |
Country | Italy |
Region | Lombardy |
Metropolitan city | Milan (MI) |
Frazioni | Ponte Vecchio, Ponte Nuovo |
Government | |
• Mayor | Luca Del Gobbo, since 26-Jun-2022 (Center-right coalition) |
Area | |
• Total | 21 km2 (8 sq mi) |
Elevation | 138 m (453 ft) |
Population (30 July 2016)[2] | |
• Total | 23,724 |
• Density | 1,100/km2 (2,900/sq mi) |
Demonym | Magentini |
Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) |
Postal code | 20013 |
Dialing code | 02 |
Patron saint | St. Martin of Tours, St. Roch, St. Blaise |
Saint day | November 11 |
Website | Official website |
Magenta is the birthplace of Saint Gianna Beretta Molla (1922–1962) and film producer Carlo Ponti (1912–2007).[6][7] The municipality of Magenta is part of the Parco naturale lombardo della Valle del Ticino, a Nature reserve included by UNESCO in the World Network of Biosphere Reserves.[8]
Magenta was probably a settlement of the Insubres, a Celtic tribe, who founded it around the 5th century BC. The area was conquered by the Romans in 222 BC. The name is traditionally connected to castrum Maxentiae, meaning "castle of Maxentius". After the fall of the Western Roman Empire, it was ruled by the Lombards. The Celtic origins of Magenta are proved by some important archeological finds, especially in the area where now the Institute of Canossian Mothers stands; there was a Celtic necropolis in ancient times. Objects, jewelry and weapons were found here.
In the Middle Ages, it was destroyed twice, in 1162 by Frederick Barbarossa and in 1356 by the troops opposing the Visconti rule of Milan. In 1310, according to a legend, the emperor Henry VII was stopped here by a snowstorm during his march to Milan. In 1398 Gian Galeazzo Visconti donated the town territories to the monks of the Certosa di Pavia.
On June 4, 1859, it was the site of an important battle of the Second War of Italian Independence. The Franco-Piedmontese victory in the fight gave them the chance to conquer Austrian Lombardy.
Magenta received the honorary title of city with a presidential decree on May 25, 1947.
Magenta is twinned with:
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