Meda (MI)

Infobox CityIT
img_coa = Meda-Stemma-New.jpg

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official_name = Comune di Meda
region = Lombardy
province = Monza and Brianza (MB)
elevation_m = 221
area_total_km2 = 8.33
population_as_of = January 1, 2008
population_total = 23001
population_footnotes= |2761.22 timezone = CET, UTC+1
coordinates = coord|45|40|N|09|10|E
frazioni =
name=Meda
mapx=45.5|mapy=9.22
telephone = 0362
postalcode = 20036
gentilic = Medesi
saint = Sts. Aimo and Vermondo
day = september 8
mayor = Giorgio Fiorenzo Taveggia
website = [http://www.comune.meda.mi.it comune.meda.mi.it]

Meda is a city with 23.001 inhabitants of the province of Monza and Brianza, located in the northern Italian region of Lombardy, close to Milan and Como. It is well-known as furniture centre.

History

The history of Meda is linked to the history of its convent and of its foundation. From the latter's location, a mound (Latin: "meta") stems the town's name.

Accordsing to the legend, the Saints Aimo and Vermund, counts of Turbigo, were attacked while hunting by two wild boars and, in order to get their lives saved, they they swore that, if saved, they would built a convent right there. The convent was built around 780 near an old little church dedicated to St. Vittore. In order to be free from the control of the new priorate, the Meda's people built another church dedicated to St. Mary and St. Sebastian. The quarrels between the inhabitants and the convent ended on the December 10, 1252, when the Prioress Maria da Besozzo gave up all her political, administrative and economical power on the village.

Later the municipal territory was held by the Visconti and Sforza families until, in the 16th century, it fell under the control of Spain and then of Napoleon. Meda returned later under the power of the House of Habsburg and then, after the Second War of Italian Independence, became part of the Kingdom of Italy.

The Meda territory, on the border with the town of Seveso, was the location of the ICMESA factory, which became known in 1976 for the release of a dioxin cloud, which hit many towns of the Brianza. The fact is known as “Seveso disaster” ("Disastro di Seveso").

Famous people

* Giuseppe Terragni – architect
* Igor Cassina – gymnast – Gold medal at Athens 2004
* Johnny Dorelli – Actor
* St. Giovanni Oldrati "from Meda"