Sesto San Giovanni

• Name — Sesto San Giovanni • Official Name — Comune di Sesto San Giovanni • Native Name — Sest San Giovann • Region — Lombardy • Metropolitan City — Milan (MI) • Frazioni — Rondò-Torretta, Rondinella-Baraggia-Restellone, Isola del Bosco-delle Corti, Pelucca-villaggio Falck, Dei Parchi-Cascina de' Gatti-Parpagliona • Mayor Party — Center-Right • Mayor — Roberto Di Stefano • Area Total Km2 — 11.70 • Population Total — 78850 • Population As Of — 2026 • Population Demonym — Sestesi • Elevation M — 140 • Saint — St. John the Baptist • Day — 24 June • Postal Code — 20099 • Area Code — 02

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. In March 1943 workers at the Falck steelworks joined the strike wave spreading from Turin, having been alerted by lorry drivers arriving from Piedmont the day before the planned stoppage. 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. 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.

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%.

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.

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.

• Ferdinando Terruzzi (1924–2014), track cyclist • Nicolás Cotugno (born 1938), former Roman Catholic Archbishop of Montevideo, Uruguay • Teresa Sarti Strada (1948–2009), co-founder of Emergency • Gino Strada (1948–2021) war surgeon and founder of Emergency, a UN-recognized international humanitarian organisation that gives free medical treatment to victims of war • Massimo Carrera (born 1964), footballer and coach • Lorenzo Bontempelli (born 1965), racing driver • Marco Saligari (born 1965), cyclist • Barbara Fusar-Poli (born 1972), figure skater • Fabio Macellari (born 1974), footballer • Franco Masetto (born 1942), footballer • Gianandrea Noseda (born 1964), international symphony conductor • Sfera Ebbasta (born 1992), Italian rapper

Sesto San Giovanni is twinned with: • Saint-Denis, France • Zlín, Czech Republic • Goiânia, Brazil