Sassuolo
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Sassuolo [sasˈswɔːlo] is an Italian town, comune, and industrial centre of the Province of Modena, Emilia-Romagna region. The town stands on the right bank of the river Secchia some 17 kilometres (11 mi) southwest of Modena. As of 2015, its population was 40,884.[1]
History
The first historical mention of the town dates to 980. In 1078 the consuls of Sassuolo swore loyalty to the commune of Modena. In 1373 the city passed to the Este family at the request of the citizens themselves, who obtained the right to extract water from the river Secchia.
The town was a possession of the Duchy of Modena until the 19th century.
Title
As a titular Duke of Modena, the current holder of the title of "Lord of Sassuolo" would theoretically be Prince Lorenz of Belgium, Archduke of Austria-Este, however, the 1947 Constitution of Italy explicitly does not recognize any titles of nobility.
Geography
Located in the central-western area of its province, at the border with the Reggio Emilia, Sassuolo borders with the municipalities of Casalgrande (RE), Castellarano (RE), Fiorano Modenese, Formigine, Prignano sulla Secchia and Serramazzoni.[2] It counts the hamlets (frazioni) of Montegibbio, Salvarola Terme and San Michele dei Mucchietti.
Main sights
- The Ducal palace of Sassuolo, designed by architect Bartolomeo Avanzini in 1634. In 1638–56 parts of the interior was frescoed by the French Baroque painter Jean Boulanger. Angelo Michele Colonna, Agostino Mitelli, Baldassare Bianchi and Giovanni Giacomo Monti were also invited by Boulanger to work on the palace decoration. Luca Colombi, Giovanni Lazzoni, Lattanzio Maschio, Guercino, Salvator Rosa, Ludovico Lana also contributed. At ground level is a large pool surrounded by ruins, called il Fontanazzo (broadly "the large fountain").
- The church and convent of San Giuseppe.
Economy
The industrial growth of Sassuolo began in the 1950s. Eighty percent of all Italian ceramic tiles are produced here, with more than 300 ceramic factories operating in the Sassuolo district (as Marazzi Group, Refin and Marca Corona,). The city is currently the centre of Italian tile industry and one of the most important tile producers in the world.
People
- Pierangelo Bertoli (1942–2002), singer
- Andrea Bertolini (born 1973), racing car driver
- Caterina Caselli (born 1946), singer
- Fabrizio Giovanardi (born 1966), racing car driver
- Giuseppe Medici (1907–2000), politician
- Andrea Montermini (born 1964), racing car driver
- Davide Morandi (born 1969), Modena City Ramblers' frontman
- Federico Pinelli (born 1989), artist
- Leo Morandi (1923–2009), inventor, ceramist
- Filippo "Nek" Neviani (born 1972), singer-songwriter
- Graziano Pattuzzi (born 1955), politician
- Camillo Ruini (born 1931), cardinal
- Alessandro Conti (born 1980), singer, artist
Sport
Sassuolo is the home town of Serie A side U.S. Sassuolo Calcio; it also includes the stadium Stadio Enzo Ricci.
Volley Sassuolo is the local volleyball team.[3]
The Memorial Argo Manfredini tennis tournament is played in the city.
Typical products
Twin towns
References
- 1 2 (in Italian) Source: Istat 2015
- ↑ 43229 Sassuolo on OpenStreetMap
- ↑ (in Italian) Volley Sassuolo official website
External links
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