Dresano

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Dresano
Comune
Comune di Dresano dei coglioni
Dresano
Location of Dresano in Italy
Coordinates: 45°22′N 9°22′E / 45.367°N 9.367°E / 45.367; 9.367Coordinates: 45°22′N 9°22′E / 45.367°N 9.367°E / 45.367; 9.367
Country Italy
Region Lombardy
Province Province of Milan (MI)
Area
 • Total 3.5 km2 (1.4 sq mi)
Elevation 91 m (299 ft)
Population (Oct. 2010)
 • Total 2,987
 • Density 850/km2 (2,200/sq mi)
Time zone CET (UTC+1)
 • Summer (DST) CEST (UTC+2)
Postal code 20077
Dialing code 02
Website Official website

Dresano is a comune (municipality) in the Province of Milan in the Italian region Lombardy, located about 20 km southeast of Milan. As of 31 October 2010, it had a population of 2,987 and an area of 3.5 km².[1] It is the smallest municipality in Italy by surface.

Dresano borders the following municipalities: Mediglia, Tribiano, Mulazzano, Colturano, Vizzolo Predabissi, Casalmaiocco.

Etymology

The name Dresano is due to the presence, in these swampy areas, of three inlets, three "sinuses", from which the name evolved over the centuries: Tresseno --> Tressano --> Tresano --> Dresano. The three inlets appear in the coat of arms too, surmounted by three poplar trees, the poplar being one of the most typical local trees.

Local history

old Saint Benedict monk order convent, in Dresano town centre
.
Chiesa di San Giorgio martire, in Dresano town centre

The old village hosts the remains of one of its most ancient buildings: on the East side of Piazza Manzoni the wall of an establishment with a massive wooden double door is found, which was part of the convent of the benedictines, who performed the hard task of draining and cultivating the swampy territories around. In this area malaria (swamp fever) took its toll.

Climate

Via delle camelie, Villaggio ambrosiano, covered by snow in January 2006

The climate in Dresano is characterised by sultry summers, and rainy, cold winters. Occasionally, heavy snowfall occurs; in 1995 a particularly heavy snowfall blocked the roads, paralysing traffic and forcing schools to close for several days.

The end of August-early September is characterised by violent thunderstorms and heavy sleet which signal the end of summer.

Topography

The new town hall in the old village, inaugurated in 2007

The village is divided into four smaller areas: the old village (Dresano vecchio), Madonnina (built in the sixties), Villaggio ambrosiano (erected in the seventies) and Villaggio Helios (begun in the nineties).

The old village shows one of the oldest farms in the area, Cascina Belpensiero, which displays a secular tree in the middle of the farmyard. This dairy farm is already mentioned in written historical sources dating back to 1500, and it is still surrounded by fields, 1 km from the village.

Every year, in May, the dairy farm holds the traditional "Quater Pass per un Vitel", an amatorial footrace, organised by the local sports group Gruppo Sportivo Marciatori San Giorgio (San Giorgio being the local patron saint). The prize for such race is a live calf. There are three different options for the race: 6 km, 12 km, and 21 km.

Schools

The playing grounds in the village green in the Villaggio ambrosiano

The village has schools covering the compulsory schooling cycle:

  • 2 nursery schools: one municipality-run (in the Villaggio ambrosiano) and one parish-run (in the old village)
  • a primary school ('scuola elementare', 6–11 years)(in the Villaggio ambrosiano)
  • a middle school ('scuola media', 11–14 years)(in the Villaggio ambrosiano)

Free time

Although small, Dresano has a variety of free time associations which, by their effort and enthusiasm, liven up village life, preventing Dresano from becoming a mere satellite of Milan. They are:

  • Gruppo sportivo marciatori San Giorgio (walkers' group)
  • Auser (providing assistance to the elderly and the disabled)
  • Dresano Calcio (soccer team)
  • Dresano Basket (basketball team)

Events

  • Carnevale dresanese (carnival): February
  • Dresano fiorita (flower show): 2nd Sunday of April
  • "Quater pass per un vitel": 1st Sunday of June (footrace)
  • Marcia serale Belpensiero (footrace): June (non-competitive footrace by night)
  • Festa dell'uva (grapevine fair): 2nd Sunday of September

The gym and the municipal library, managed by volunteers, are located in the school complex of the Villaggio ambrosiano.

Ecology

Oilseed rape cultivation, close to the water purifier
An old derelict mill, close to the Addetta floodway

Dresano owns a water purification plant. The water purifier can be found along the Addetta floodway, close to Balbiano.

Fields in Dresano territory are intensely farmed. The most popular cultivations are:

  • wheat
  • barley
  • fodder maize
  • oilseed rape

Biodiversity

Dresano, a farmland tradition town, has shown in the last few years an increased level of biodiversity, thanks to various animal and plant species, that live mainly along waterways.

Wild animals

Local noticeable wild animal species, especially on the Addetta floodway banks, include:

BIRDS

MAMMALS

  • european rabbit
  • hare (lepus europaeus)
  • coypu (nutria)
  • bat: the bat is a wonderful living and natural insecticide, being a voracious mosquito hunter
  • frog
  • hedgehog (erinaceus europaeus)
  • fox

INSECTS

FISHES

AMPHIBIANS

  • green lizard
  • frog
  • toad

CRUSTACEANS

Wild vegetation

Demographic evolution

References

  1. ↑ All demographics and other statistics: Italian statistical institute Istat.

External links


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