Besano

Besano is a municipality with 2611 inhabitants ( 31 December 2012) in the province of Varese ( Lombardy ) in Italy at the Swiss border. Besano is affected by the Strada Statale 344.

Neighboring communities of Besano are Bisuschio, Cuasso al Monte, Meride (CH- TI), Porto Ceresio and Viggiù.

History

The origin of the name Besano is unclear, there are two competing possible explanations to ancient times an old, probably Celtic fortifications of the Romans was converted into a warehouse, was controlled from which the connection after Ceresio. This is witnessed by the grave of the Roman commander Besso, after said to be named the country. The second explanation goes back to an ancient, twice held annually wealthy market. Thus Besano stands for the Latin anno until ( German: twice per year).

In the Middle Ages belonged to the manor Besano Arcisate. With the appointment of Maurizio Arcimboldi the Marquis of Arcisate by Philip the IV, King of Spain, and Duce of Milan, in 1647 Besano came under the jurisdiction of the royal family. From 1928 to 1953 Besano was part of the municipality of Porto Ceresio.

Paleontology

Since the mid 19th century are found in the area north-east of Besano fossils of marine dinosaurs, fish, mussels, snails and cephalopods. In 1863, the Società Italiana di Scienze naturali has organized a first excavation in 1878 found a second place by the Museo Civico di Storia Naturale di Milano. It both new species as well as very well-preserved skeletons of hitherto sparsely occupied species were discovered. The 1993 discovered there Besanosaurus leptorhynchus owes its name to this archaeological site. Since 1981, discoveries in the Museo di Besano be shown.

External links and sources

• Edith Müller- Merz: Paleontology and Environment ISBN 3728129720
• The Gmeinede Besano ( Italian)
• Information about Besano ( Italian)
• Museo di Besano ( Italian)