Magenta, town, Italy

Magenta mäjānˈtä [key], town (1991 pop. 23,667), Lombardy, N Italy, near Milan. Manufactures include matches, textiles, and machinery. At the Ticino River nearby, the French and the Sardinians won a decisive victory (1859) over the Austrians, which opened the way to Milan. General MacMahon was made duke of Magenta by Napoleon III for his leading role in the battle.

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