Lombardy
Province in Northern Italy, situated in the centre of the Po Valley. It extends over 23,872 sq.km. and it is the most populous province in Italy with about 8 and half million inhabitants. The fulcrum of Lombardy is Milan, having about 2 million inhabitants, which is one of the largest and most modern cities in Europe, bustling with industrial and commercial activities, but also with art and culture, rich in monuments and works of art.
Lombardy has always been a crucible of peoples; from the Gauls to the Romans and to the Longobards, from whom its name derives, who ruled over it during the Middle Ages and whose treasures are kept in the Cathedral of Monza. Its feudal character changed at the beginning of the Xll century with the etablishment of the free cities followed by the Grand Seigniories like the Visconti, Sforza and Gonzaga, enlightened lords with splendid courts, as shown by the works of art, castles and palaces of this period in Milan, Mantua, Pavia, Cremona, Bergamo, Brescia and Como.
A period of declime was followed in the XVIII century by the cultural, artistic and economic revival of Lombardy, under the wise rule of Mary Theresa of Austria. The Lombard revolutions in 1848/49 were followed by the unity of Italy and since then Lombardy has always played the role of cultural and industrial province.
But Lombardy is also rich in natural beauties. Magnificent and picturesque lakes faced by villas and gardens: Lake Maggiore, Lake Garda, Lake Como, Lake Iseo and others. Green wooded hills and cultivated vineyards, strewn with towers and castles. Fertile lands crossed by copious rivers: the Po river, the Ticino, the Adda, the Oglio and the Mincio.
Monday
February 6, 2012
03:01 AM
Fog
-9° C - Humidity: 100%
