Domodossola

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Comune di Domodossola
Coat of arms of Comune di Domodossola
Municipal coat of arms
Country Italy Italy
Region Piedmont
Province Verbano Cusio Ossola (VB)
Mayor Gian Mauro Mottini
Elected: 2002-05-26
Party list: Centre-Right
Elevation 272 m
Area 36.93 km²
Population
 - Total (as of December 31, 2004) 18,434
 - Density 499.16/km²
Time zone CET, UTC+1
Coordinates 46°07′N 8°17′E
Gentilic Domesi
Dialing code 0324
Postal code 28845
Frazioni Mocogna, Castanedo, Badulerio, San Quirico, Calice, Borgata Casa Delle Rane, Calvario, Corte, Gabi Valle, Boschetto, Siberia, Nosere
Patron Sts. Gervasius and Protasius
 - Day 19 June


Location of Domodossola in Italy
Website: www.comune.domodossola.vb.it

Domodossola is a city in the Province of Verbano-Cusio-Ossola, in the region of Piedmont, Italy, earlier known as Oscela, Oscella, Oscella dei Leponzi, Ossolo, Ossola Lepontiorum, and Domo d'Ossola (because it is in the Ossola valley).

Domodossola town center.
Enlarge
Domodossola town center.

Domodossola is situated at the confluence of the Bogna and Toce Rivers, and is home to 18,500 people, mostly Italian speaking and Roman Catholic in religion.

The city is located at the foot of the Italian Alps, and acts as a minor passenger-rail hub. Its strategic location accommodates Swiss rail passengers, acting as an international stopping-point between Locarno (a Swiss city of Italian language) and Brig (a Swiss city of German language) through the Simplon Pass (Italian: Sempione).

Economy is mostly based on services, the working of stones, and mechanics industry. The valley in the area are rich of dams and hydroelectric plants.

Contents

[edit] History

Domodossola was the chief town of the Lepontii when the Romans conquered the region in 12 BCE.

During World War II Domodossola was part of an uprising against the Germans, whereby the valley of Ossola declared itself a republic and broke away from Fascist Italy. The rebellion was crushed by German troops within a few months, but was an important symbol for anti-fascist movements within Italy until the end of the war.

[edit] Main sights

  • Cathedral of St. Gervasius and Protasius
  • Palazzo Silva (17th century)

Domodossola is most famous for the Sacro Monte, a site of pilgrimage and worship close to it.

[edit] Trivia

Its name is widely known in Italy as part of the local phonetic alphabet as the entry: "D for Domodossola".

[edit] Twin towns

[edit] See also