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The Olona River was the undiscussed actor of the economic
development of the populations that inabited the valley. Since
10th century, on its banks multiplied the mills defended
by several towers and fortified houses placed along the edges
of the valley. In 1608 there were 116 mills along the river.
Initially they were flour mills but with time they became
the source of energy of the early factories. So, the old water-mills
changed into spinning-mills, cotton and weaving mills, giving
rise to the industrialization of the Varese Province.
The Olona Valley is an area with a lot of history.
For centuries Castel Seprio with its castrum was the
military centre of the Seprio County, that extended
from Como to Novara and Canton Ticino. Two of the most important
routes of communication between the Alps and the Po Valley
went through the Olona Valley. The first linked the Po Valley
to the St. Gotthard and Lucomagno Pass and the second linked
Aquileia to Ivrea and the alpine passes towards the Gaul,
crossing Como and Novara.
Because of the industrial development the Olona River is
today one of the more polluted river in Lombardy.
And to think that still in the first decades of this century
bathing and fishing were done!
Now some neglected industrial buildings are under reclamation
and collectors and purification plants are under construction.
For example, in Castellanza the restored Cantoni cotton mill
houses the Carlo Cattaneo University.
Along the Olona River there are the following towns: Castellanza,
Marnate, Olgiate
Olona, Gorla Minore,
Gorla Maggiore,
Fagnano Olona, Solbiate
Olona, Cairate,
Castelseprio, Gornate
Olona, Lonate Ceppino,
Castiglione Olona,
Lozza, Vedano
Olona.
Once, clothes were washed on the banks of the Olona River...
... and the fun was a trip by boat!
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