Domodossola (Italian: [ˌdɔmoˈdɔssola];[3] Lombard: Dòmm) is a city and comune (municipality) in the Province of Verbano-Cusio-Ossola, in the region of Piedmont, northern Italy. It was also known as Oscela, Oscella, Oscella dei Leponzi, Ossolo, Ossola Lepontiorum, and Domo d'Ossola (due to its position in the Ossola valley). The Peruvian aviation pioneer, Jorge Chávez, died here in 1910 in an airplane crash.

Domodossola
Dòmm (Lombard)
Città di Domodossola
Flag of Domodossola
Coat of arms of Domodossola
Location of Domodossola
Map
Domodossola is located in Italy
Domodossola
Domodossola
Location of Domodossola in Italy
Domodossola is located in Piedmont
Domodossola
Domodossola
Domodossola (Piedmont)
Coordinates: 46°07′N 8°17′E / 46.117°N 8.283°E / 46.117; 8.283
CountryItaly
RegionPiedmont
ProvinceVerbano Cusio Ossola (VB)
FrazioniCampoccio, Cisore, Crosiggia, Domodossola-Oltrebogna, Monte Ossolano, Prata, Quartero, Rogoledo, Trontana
Government
 • MayorFortunato Lucio Pizzi
Area
 • Total
36.89 km2 (14.24 sq mi)
Elevation
272 m (892 ft)
Population
 (1 January 2021)[2]
 • Total
17,930
 • Density490/km2 (1,300/sq mi)
DemonymDomese(i)
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code
28845
Dialing code0324
Patron saintSts. Gervasius and Protasius
Saint day19 June
WebsiteOfficial website

Geography

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Domodossola is situated at the confluence of the Bogna and Toce Rivers and is home to 18,300 people.

The city is located at the foot of the Italian Alps and acts as a minor passenger-rail hub. Its strategic location accommodates Swiss rail passengers, and Domodossola railway station acts as an international stopping-point between Milan and Brig (a Swiss city of German language) through the Simplon Pass (Italian: Sempione). The Domodossola–Locarno railway is a 1,000 mm (3 ft 3+38 in) metre gauge line to the east across the border to Locarno.

History

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Domodossola was the chief town of the Lepontii when the Romans conquered the region in 12 BCE.

During World War II Domodossola was part of an uprising against the Germans, whereby the valley of Ossola declared itself a free partisan republic in September 1944 and broke away from Fascist Italy. The rebellion was crushed by German troops within less than two months but was an important symbol for anti-fascist movements within Italy until the end of the war.

Main sights

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  • Collegiate church of St. Gervasius and Protasius.

Domodossola is most famous for the Sacro Monte Calvario, a site of pilgrimage and worship close to it that has been also recognized as a humanity heritage by UNESCO.

Economy

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The economy is mostly based on services, the working of stones, and the mechanics industry. The valleys in the area contain many dams and hydroelectric plants.

Culture

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Its name is widely known in Italy as part of the local spelling alphabet as the entry: "D for Domodossola".

 
A panoramic view of Domodossola, an enchanting city and comune, as seen from the vantage point of the revered Sacred Mount Calvary.

Twin towns

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Superficie di Comuni Province e Regioni italiane al 9 ottobre 2011". Italian National Institute of Statistics. Retrieved 16 March 2019.
  2. ^ "Popolazione Residente al 1° Gennaio 2018". Italian National Institute of Statistics. Retrieved 16 March 2019.
  3. ^ "Dizionario d'ortografia e di pronunzia". Archived from the original on 2021-06-05. Retrieved 2016-03-13.
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  Domodossola travel guide from Wikivoyage