Sesto San Giovanni

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Sesto San Giovanni
Sest San Giovann (Lombard)
Comune
Comune di Sesto San Giovanni
Piazza Don Mapelli
Piazza Don Mapelli
Coat of arms of Sesto San Giovanni
Coat of arms
Sesto San Giovanni is located in Italy
Sesto San Giovanni
Sesto San Giovanni
Location of Sesto San Giovanni in Italy
Show map of Italy
Sesto San Giovanni is located in Lombardy
Sesto San Giovanni
Sesto San Giovanni
Sesto San Giovanni (Lombardy)
Show map of Lombardy
Coordinates: 45°32′N 09°14′E / 45.533°N 9.233°E / 45.533; 9.233
CountryItaly
RegionLombardy
Metropolitan cityMilan (MI)
FrazioniRondò-Torretta, Rondinella-Baraggia-Restellone, Isola del Bosco-delle Corti, Pelucca-villaggio Falck, Dei Parchi-Cascina de' Gatti-Parpagliona
Government
 • MayorRoberto Di Stefano (Center-Right)
Area
[1]
 • Total
11.70 km2 (4.52 sq mi)
Elevation
140 m (460 ft)
Population
 (2026)[2]
 • Total
78,850
 • Density6,739/km2 (17,450/sq mi)
DemonymSestesi
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code
20099
Dialing code02
Patron saintSt. John the Baptist
Saint day24 June
WebsiteOfficial website

Sesto San Giovanni (Italian: [ˈsɛsto san dʒoˈvanni]; Western Lombard: Sest San Giovann, Lombard: [ˈsɛst ˌsãː dʒuˈʋan]), locally referred to as just Sesto (Lombard: Sest), is a city and comune (municipality) in the Metropolitan City of Milan in the region of Lombardy in Italy. It has 78,850 inhabitants.[2]

It was awarded with the honorary title of città (city) by decree of 10 April 1954, signed by President Luigi Einaudi.

History

An unimportant agglomerate of buildings until the 19th century, Sesto San Giovanni grew during the end of the 19th century and in the early 20th century, becoming the site of several industries, including companies such as Falck, Campari, Magneti Marelli and Breda. In that period the population increased rapidly, from 5,000 inhabitants in 1880 to 14,000 in 1911.

After World War II, Sesto became populated by many migrants from other parts of Italy, leading to an increased population of 95,000 inhabitants in 1981. Sesto used to be referred to as the "Stalingrad of Italy", due to the strong historical presence of the Italian Communist Party and to its resistance to fascism in World War Two.

Sesto San Giovanni received the honorary title of city by presidential decree on 10 April 1954.

Because of its diverse and growing industries, Sesto has drawn many immigrants. Census statistics from 2016 state that 17% of the population is composed of immigrants.[3]

In the 1990s, Sesto San Giovanni suffered an economic crisis, and most of the larger companies in the town closed their premises. The town partially succeeded in converting its economy from steel production to service industries. Several large companies opened offices in Sesto, such as ABB Group, Wind, Impregilo and Oracle Corporation.

On 23 December 2016, Anis Amri, perpetrator of Berlin truck attack was shot fleeing in the city by the police.

Sesto San Giovanni was previously a left-wing working-class city, in contrast to Milan, which was a more right-leaning (DC, FI, Lega) business city. From 1946 to 2017, all city mayors came from left-wing parties. However, in 2017, it broke the tradition and elected Roberto di Stefano of Lega as mayor, whilst Milan has swung more left-wing in the same timeframe.[4][5]

Demographics

As of 2026, the population is 78,850, of which 48.5% are male, and 51.5% are female. Minors make up 14.0% of the population, and seniors make up 25.5%.[2]

Historical population
YearPop.±%
18614,716—    
18715,006+6.1%
18815,456+9.0%
19016,786+24.4%
191113,502+99.0%
192117,781+31.7%
193129,705+67.1%
193635,905+20.9%
YearPop.±%
195144,994+25.3%
196171,444+58.8%
197191,985+28.8%
198195,762+4.1%
199186,657−9.5%
200178,850−9.0%
201176,514−3.0%
202179,442+3.8%
Source: ISTAT[6][7]

Immigration

As of 2025, immigrants make up 18.9% of the population. The 5 largest foreign countries of birth are Egypt, Peru, the Philippines, Romania, and China.[8]

Sport

Sesto San Giovanni is represented by professional football club Pro Sesto 1913, founded in 1913. Having played in the top division in its early years, the club has oscillated between the second and third tiers of the pyramid.

They play at the Stadio Ernesto Breda which they share with local American football players and Inter Milan's women's and youth teams.

Notable people

International relations

Twin towns – sister cities

Sesto San Giovanni is twinned with:[9]

See also

References

  1. "Superficie di Comuni Province e Regioni italiane al 9 ottobre 2011" (in Italian). ISTAT.
  2. "Resident population". ISTAT.
  3. "Statistiche demografiche ISTAT". Demo.istat.it. Retrieved 2016-12-23.
  4. Ghiglione, Giorgio (2018-05-22). "The fall of 'Italy's Stalingrad': symbol of left wages war on migrants and poor". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2023-06-02.
  5. Coman, Julian (2022-09-22). "'Times have changed': Italian town once run by communists poised to vote far right". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2023-06-02.
  6. "Popolazione residente dei comuni. Censimenti dal 1861 al 1991" [Resident population of the municipalities. Censuses from 1861 to 1991] (PDF) (in Italian). ISTAT. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2025-11-12.
  7. "Resident population - Time series". ISTAT.
  8. "Resident population by sex, municipality and citizenship". ISTAT.
  9. "Gemellaggi e patti d'amicizia". sestosg.net (in Italian). Sesto San Giovanni. Archived from the original on 2019-12-15. Retrieved 2019-12-15.