San Donato Milanese

San Donato Milanese is a comune (municipality) in the Province of Milan in the Italian region Lombardy, located about 10 kilometres (6 mi) southeast of Milan. It is served by the San Donato underground station right on the borderline between the town and Milan and by the San Donato Milanese railway station, serving only trains for the Trenord S1 line "Saronno-Lodi" and vice-versa. History Although the area was settled since ancient times, the origins of San Donato dates back to the 7th century, when a pieve was founded here by the army of Grimoald I, Duke of Benevento. After a period under the Milanese family De Advocati, the town was a possession of the archbishops of Milan until the 16th century. A series of abbeys were founded in the area by Bernard of Clairvaux during the 11th century. Later Frederick Barbarossa resided here after his destruction of Milan, while the Visconti and the Torriani fought here (1278) for the possession of the duchy of Milan. The battle of Marignano was also fought nearby, Francis I of France setting his headquarters here after the battle. Today San Donato is a modern industrial and services centre. It received the honorary title of city with a presidential decree on 30 December 1976. References External links Official website