Cesare Castiglioni

Born to Teodolinda and Giovanni Luca on 1st June 1841, in Tradate, Cesare Castiglioni belonged to the Lonate Ceppino line of the Castiglioni family.

From a young age, he stood out for his patriotism and his audacity, which led him, just eighteen years old, to enlist in the Savoy army during the Second War of Independence. In 1860, he joined Garibaldi in the Expedition of the Thousand, during which he witnessed the meeting at Teano between King Vittorio Emanuele II and Garibaldi.

After his military service, he returned to Tradate to manage the family farm; he also dedicated himself to the transformation of the family home, giving it its current appearance and renaming it “Villa Rina” in honor of his wife.

In his later years, he devoted himself to various entrepreneurial activities and local political life, sitting on the City Council from 1870 to 1910.

He died in April 1918. Even today, the Municipality of Tradate pays homage to him every 4th November, placing a wreath of flowers at the commemorative plaque in Villa Castiglioni.