Desio

For other meanings, regarding the surname, see De Sio.

Desio (Brianzoeu: Des) is a comune (municipality) in the province of Monza and Brianza, in the Italian region of Lombardy.

Desio Des (Lombard)
Comune
Città di Desio
Villa Tittoni Traversi
Coat of arms
Location of Desio
Desio Location of Desio in Italy Show map of Italy Desio Desio (Lombardy) Show map of Lombardy
Coordinates: 45°37′N 09°13′E
Country	Italy
Region	Lombardy
Province	Monza and Brianza (MB)
Frazioni	San Carlo, San Giorgio, San Giuseppe
Government
• Mayor	Simone Gargiulo (since October 18, 2021) (Civic list)
Area [1]
• Total	14 km2 (5 sq mi)
Elevation	196 m (643 ft)
Population  (30 November 2017)[2]
• Total	41,960
• Density	3,000/km2 (7,800/sq mi)
Demonym	Desiani
Time zone	UTC+1 (CET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code	20832
Dialing code	0362
Patron saint	Madonna del Rosario
Saint day	First Sunday in October
Website	Official website

History

In 1277 it was the location of the battle between the Visconti and della Torre families for the rule of Milan. On 24 February 1924, Desio received the honorary title of city with a royal decree.

In 1944 the opera singer Giuseppina Finzi-Magrini was killed in an American air raid on Desio.

The town is known for being Pius XI’s birthplace, information which the road sign on Desio’s border recalls. In the centre, more precisely in Via Pio XI 4, tourists and citizens can visit the Pope’s house every Sunday.^[3] On November 20, 1998, it was instituted the International Studies and Documentation Center Pius XI, at the presence of Mgr. Maurizio Galli.^[4] On 28 May 2022, Desio’s hospital was named after Pius XI to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Pope’s election.^[5]

Marco Sportiello, A.C. Milan goalkeeper, was also born in Desio.

Gabriele Oriali, former Inter‘s icon and 1982 FIFA World Cup winner with Italy, lives in Desio.

Main sights

• Villa Tittoni Traversi (18th century)
• Torre dei Palagi (19th century)
• Polo di Eccellenza^[6]

Transport

Desio is served by Desio railway station.

Sports

Gruppo Sportivo Santi Pietro e Paolo, also referred to as S. Pietro e Paolo Desio, is one of the most famous football teams in Desio. Founded in October 2003, the Group started its activities in March 2004 becoming affiliated with the Centro Universitario Sportivo Italiano (CUSI), the entity for sport promotion acknowledged by the Italian National Olympic Committee and the Episcopal Conference of Italy.^[7][8] Members of the Italian rhythmic gymnastics national team live and train in Desio.

The football team U.S. Aurora Desio 1922, which plays in the Seconda Categoria, is based in Desio. The club is also affiliated with AC Monza