Rho (Italy)

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This article is about the Italian city. For other uses see Rho

Comune di Rho
Municipal coat of arms
Country	Italy
Region	Lombardy
Province	Milan (Mi)
Mayor	Paola Pessina (since May 28, 2000)
Elevation	156 m
Area	22 km²
Population
- Total (as of December 31, 2004)	51,229
- Density	2,236/km²
Time zone	CET, UTC+1
Coordinates	45°32′N 09°02′E
Gentilic	Rhodensi
Dialing code	02
Postal code	20017
Frazioni	Terrazzano, Passirana, Mazzo, Lucernate, Biringhello, Pantanedo
Patron	St. Victor
- Day	May 8
Website: www.comune.rho.mi.it

Rho is an Italian town near Milan, Italy and has about 51,000 inhabitants.

[edit] History

Rho is first mentioned in a written document from 846 CE, referred to as simply a bunch of houses under the name of Vicus Raudus. According to a theory, the name derives from the Campi Raudi where the Roman consul Caius Marius defeated the Cimbri. A different theory postulates that the city was founded by expatriates from the Greek island of Rhodes. (See the comuni italiani website)

After 1000 CE the town bloomed as a free commune and in 1004 Emperor Henry II soujourned here: in 1160, however, it was razed to the ground by Frederick Barbarossa, as punishment for rebellion against the Holy Roman Empire. The city recovered speedily, but again in 1313 it was besieged by Milanese troops, its inhabitants again slaughtered or dispersed. Another sack occurred in 1511 by Landsknecht troops.

[edit] Culture

The new megacomplex of Fiera Milano (Milan Fair, opened in 2005) is located in Rho.