Cantù

For the surname, see Cantù (surname).

"Cantu" redirects here. For the place formerly called Cantu in California, see Andrade, California.

Cantù
—  Comune  —
Città di Cantù
Coat of arms
Cantù Location of Cantù in Italy
Coordinates: 45°44′N 09°08′E
Country	Italy
Region	Lombardy
Province	Como (CO)
Frazioni	Vighizzolo, Fecchio, Mirabello, Cascina Amata, Asnago
Government
• Mayor	Tiziana Sala
Area
• Total	23 km2 (9 sq mi)
Elevation	370 m (1,210 ft)
Population
• Total	39.036
• Density	1.7/km2 (4.4/sq mi)
Demonym	Canturini
Time zone	CET (UTC+1)
• Summer (DST)	CEST (UTC+2)
Postal code	22063
Dialing code	031
Patron saint	Saint Apollonia
Saint day	February 9
Website	Official website

Cantù (Cantü in local Lombard) is a city and comune in the Province of Como, located at the center of the Brianza zone in Lombardy. It is the second largest city in Brianza.

History

Cantù was a source of conflict between the cities of Milan and Como. The Sforza of Milan took control permanently in the 15th century.

Main sights

Detail from the life of St Christopher (c.1000), from the nave of the Basilica of Galliano.

The main attraction of Cantù is the Basilica di San Vincenzo at nearby Galliano, which was consectrated in 1007 by the future Archbishop of Milan, Ariberto da Intimiano. The building was sold in 1801 to become a private dwelling, before being bought by the municipality in 1909 and reconsecrated in 1934. The basilica contains the oldest frescoes in Lombardy consisting of series of stories from the Bible and the saints. The frescoes in the apse are especially fine, and those in the nave probably by this master painter's followers. Other sights are the Piazza Garibaldi, named for Giuseppe Garibaldi, and the San Paolo Church, whose bell tower is one of the symbol of the city.

Sport

Pallacanestro Cantù, the famous basketball club of the city, won the European Champions Cup twice in 1982 and 1983.

Twin towns

• Villefranche-sur-Saône, Rhône, France
• Dumfries, UK