It is a town in the province of Milan, located on the Naviglio Grande and its name derives, according to some, from "Lucanianus" (an adjective derived from the Latin name Lucanius), while according to others, from Cassina Birago with reference, therefore, to the founder Maffiolo Birago.
The earliest settlements date back to Roman times and along the right bank of the Naviglio, evidence has been found and exhibits are on show at the Museum of Pisani Dossi Corbetta. Just earlier to year 1000 dates a granite sarcophagus with plates and bowls in glass and pottery, found in the nearby countryside.
The district of Lugagnano is mentioned for the first time in a document dated 1251, which refers to the feudal castle surrounded by a moat, around which the village had been developed. In the XIII century the castle was owned by the Casterno Family, that ceded their rule to the Pietrasanta Family. Later it was sold to the territory of Robecco, to finally be transferred to various Lords such as: Baldassarre Barzi, Giovanni Vasquez de Coronado, Trivulzio Angelo and the successors of Girolamo Barzi.
Besides the beautiful scenery, a symbol of Cassinetta of Lugagnano are, without doubt, the c.d. "Villas of delight" (as defined by Marc'Antonio dal Re), residences of the powerful families of Milan, that overlook the waters of the naviglio and its channels, which added great value to this small village. The villas are named after the prominent families that owned them: Villa Birago-Clari-Monzini, Villa Mantegazza-Macinaghi, Villa Trivulzio, Villa Frotta-Eusebio, Villa Grosso-Pambieri, Villa-Beoco-Negri, Villa Visconti-Castiglioni-Maineri, Villa Castiglioni-Nai-Bossi, Villa Gambotto-Negri, Villa Bodio- Pallavicini-Bottiglia, Casa Spirito, Palazzo Krentzlin.
Among the religious buildings worth of mention:
- the Parish Church of Saint Anthony Abbot, built in 1435, required by Maffiolo Birago;
- the Oratory of St. Joseph, built in the first half of the XVIII century by the architect Karl Friedrich Castiglioni, adjacent to his villa, in Baroque style.