Carnago lies between the Arno and Olona valleys, on the moraine ridge from Morazzone to Cassano Magnago, and takes in Rovate, its own comune until the last century. The name seems to come from Celtic karnākon, karn- for "heap of stones", like the French Carnac and Charnay; a link with the Carnutes, the Celtic tribe settled here, is possible. The Roman via Novaria-Comum ran past, linking Novara and Como through Sibrium, Castelseprio.
In 1582 Carlo Borromeo moved the provostship here from Castelseprio: banditry and the floods of the Tenore had stopped the canons going to the old parish church, and the ancient town had shrunk to a village after the thirteenth-century destruction. The provost of Carnago then held fourteen parishes for four centuries. In 1650 the community bought its own land back to avoid being enfeoffed again, taking the certificates the Regia Camera put on sale when the nobleman Francesco Maria Carnago died heirless; the town arms repeat that Milanese family's blazon, gold and red pales with a black eagle on a gold chief. Milanello, AC Milan's training ground, is here too.
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📅 Every year, on 11 September; the second Sunday brings the Festa del Paese with the Palio dei Rioni
Carnago celebrates Saint Martin on 11 September, in the church dedicated to him. On the second Sunday of September, the Festa del Paese is held, tied to the celebrations for the Madonna dei Miracoli, preceded on the Saturday by the Palio dei Rioni.
Straight-line distances from the town centre. Tap a point to open its page.
The closest destinations covered by our editors, with straight-line distance.
Outside Carnago, but an easy day trip away.
