Lombardy
Edited by:
Massimo Martini
Access
Lombardy is easily accessible thanks to a capillary infrastructure network: the main international airports are Milan Malpensa, Milan Linate and Orio al Serio (Bergamo), connected to major Italian and European cities. The region is served by numerous railway stations - starting with Milano Centrale and Porta Garibaldi - and by one of the most extensive networks of regional trains, suburban trains and high-speed lines that quickly connect it to Turin, Venice, Bologna and beyond. Motorway connections include the (Milan-Bologna), (Turin-Venice), / (dei Laghi, towards Switzerland), (Piacenza-Brescia) and numerous bypasses and motorways that facilitate access even to outlying areas; the local road network is extensive and provides good connections to mountain and lake areas.
Introduction
Lombardy, located in the heart of northern Italy, stretches between the Alps and the vast Po Valley, alternating between mountainous landscapes, moraine hills and one of the widest plains in Europe. It borders Switzerland to the north, Piedmont to the west, Trentino-Alto Adige and Veneto to the east, and Emilia-Romagna to the south. From the Alpine arc, which rises above 3,500 metres, the relief gradually descends through valleys and hills to the broad lowlands of the Po, Adda, Oglio and Ticino rivers. This geographical context, together with the dense network of lakes - including Lake Garda, Lake Maggiore and Lake Como - has always favoured settlement and trade. From Roman times, Lombardy played a central role in trade and cultural exchanges: Milan, founded by the Celts, acquired centrality as the imperial capital and, over the centuries, established itself as an artistic, scientific and financial centre of extraordinary importance.
Description
Thanks to its position as a hinge between the Mediterranean and the Alpine passes, Lombardy offers a rich variety of natural environments: the Orobie, the Alpi Retiche, the Stelvio and Adamello Nature Parks testify to the region's importance for biodiversity and the protection of Alpine landscapes. The large lakes, numerous reservoirs and watercourses make the theme of water predominant, giving identity to many valleys and villages on their banks. The territory, predominantly flat in the south, rises up to the 3,739 metres of Punta Perrucchetti, the highest peak in the Adamello group. The alternation of cultivation, woods and pastures on the hillsides guarantees characteristic rural views frequented by hikers and cycle tourists. Ancient transit routes and historical paths such as the Via Spluga, the Strada delle Valli, the Sentiero Italia and the Cammino di Sant'Agostino, cross the most evocative valleys, linking refuges, bivouacs and ancient villages, often guardians of local tales or legends. Notable vantage points include the natural terraces over the Pre-Alps and the balconies of the valleys that, on a clear day, allow views as far as the Apennines and the Alpine peaks.
The history of Lombardy has its roots as far back as the Iron Age, with Ligurian and Celtic settlements, Roman assimilation and, later, barbarian invasions: the duchy founded by the Lombards gave its name to the entire area and marked the growth of important monastic and city institutions, such as the abbey of San Colombano in Bobbio, the monastery of San Pietro al Monte or the basilica of Sant'Ambrogio. During the communal and Renaissance periods, Milan and the cities of Lombardy became centres of artistic (Leonardo da Vinci, Caravaggio), architectural and scientific development, alternating with foreign domination until the annexation to the Kingdom of Italy in the 19th century.
Lombardy's economy is among the most dynamic and diversified in Europe: alongside manufacturing and technology - from textiles and fashion to mechanics, pharmaceuticals, food and design - it still boasts vital agricultural sectors, enriched by rice and corn crops, vineyards and livestock breeding. Tourism is a mainstay for many territories: lake resorts, ski resorts, historic villages and metropolises like Milan attract visitors in all seasons, enhancing museums, festivals, food and wine circuits and traditional markets.
Lombardy's culture is also expressed through a dense calendar of religious festivals, fairs and historical re-enactments. Patron saints' days dedicated to saints such as Ambrose in Milan, Faustino and Giovita in Brescia, Alexander in Bergamo, are occasions for choral celebrations and fairs rooted in tradition. Handicrafts range from ironwork, ceramics and glass to Brianza lace and Cremona musical instruments. The cuisine, influenced by the territory, offers specialities such as saffron risotto, polenta taragna, Valtellina pizzoccheri, PDO cheeses including Gorgonzola, Taleggio and Bitto, and desserts such as Milanese panettone and Cremonese torrone. Local curiosities include the presence of numerous wine and food confraternities and the renowned wine zones of Franciacorta and Oltrepò Pavese.
Travelling Lombardy means crossing paths through the Stelvio National Park and numerous reserve areas, frequenting the refuges of the Orobie and Adamello, or venturing along the Alte Vie alpine, often the scene of stories of shepherds, smuggling and seasonal migrations. Numerous itineraries are signposted by the CAI and also enhanced for sustainable tourism, with up-to-date signposting and services dedicated to hikers. Some of the best known legends include that of Lake Como fed by the tears of a princess or the 'puppets' of Valcamonica. In the villages and valleys, local idioms and popular traditions are still preserved by cultural associations and historical research groups.
Information
Capital: Milan
Area: 23,860.62 sq. km
Minimum elevation: 38m
Maximum elevation: Punta Perrucchetti - La Spedla (4020m)
Number of inhabitants: 9,921,913 (as of 30.11.13)
Name in dialect:Lumbardy
Inhabitant name:Lombardy
Provinces:Province of Bergamo, Province of Brescia, Province of Como, Province of Cremona, Province of Lecco, Province of Lodi, Province of Mantua, Metropolitan City of Milan, Province of Monza and Brianza, Province of Pavia, Province of Sondrio, Province of Varese
Municipalities: 1544
Bordering regions: Emilia-Romagna, Canton of Grisons, Piedmont, Canton of Ticino, Trentino-Alto Adige, Veneto
Institutional site: www.regione.lombardia.it