Campione D Italia Information Guide & Facts

 Campione D'Italia

It has been said that Campione d'Italia, the tiny town in Lombardy lying in an enclave in Switzerland, is like an air bubble in a sheet of glass. That is an elegant way of describing the unusual nature of this holiday and pleasure resort whose houses are reflected in the waters of Lake Lugano, in a countryside such as Manzoni might have depicted, where the green "mountains stand high over the waters" and tradition is wedded with the most refined society life.

Here the high quality tourism offers prestigious opportunities that are not conditioned by the seasons: these range from the Lido, for those in search of a suntan ,to excursion in the mountains; from the town football stadium, in green surroundings, enjoying a breath taking panoramic view of the gulf of Lugano to the tennis courts; from the play park to the discretely equipped area for barbecues, thus completing healthy physical activity with simple and tasty cuisine in the open air, harmonising with the greenery.  

From here the guest return to the lake for a relaxing walk along the promenade in Piazza Roma or for a visit to the tourist harbour; in these places they can fill their lungs with fresh air, but also appreciate a particular climate, due to Campione's international dimension, enriched with art and music.

History

Due to the meticulous records of Historical events kept by the vicar don Roberto Rusca, in 1600, we know the village was founded by the Romans under the name of "Campilyeus" or " Campilio".
The original name, according to scholars, is composed of two terms: "Campo" and "Lyo". The latter world of Greek origin, means Bacchus and was used because vines flourished on these hills: hence the name of "Campo di Bacco" (field of Bacchus).
The particular physical feature of the territory also enabled the Romans to turn it into a fortified military garrison.

The first squire of the village, Totone, is not mentioned until 721. On his death, he left all his property to the Bishop of Milan, who in turn enfeoffed Campione to the Milanese monastery of Saint Ambrose, which had been exempted from any kind of Episcopal jurisdiction by the Popes.
Here the monks exercised their spiritual and temporal authority and in 1512 they managed to keep the village and all the surrounding area from been annexed by Switzerland.

Don Rusca himself recounts that, early in 1600, some foreigners, who had settled in the village, were disinclined to submit to the monks' authority and began to oppose the vicars' decision.

As a result during the night of 24th January 1623, don Rusca played a leading role in the events that led to the burning of the castle, of which very little remains today.
1797 saw thw arrival of Napoleon Bonaparte , when - under the treaty of Campoformio - the monastery was suppressed and Campione was annexed to the department of Lario (Como).  

Culture

The Sanctuary of the "Maria dei Ghirli"
The biggest of the three ancient churches in Campione is situated outside the built-up area, near the arch of the enclave entrance. It is in a wonderful position, facing the lake and preceded by an imposing and showy stairway. In Totone's will of 777 this sanctuary in called S. Maria in Willarii which was a small country church; it has never been used as a parish even if, thanks to Isidoro Bianchi's renewal, it has become the most important church in Campione. This habitat probably worked as the meeting place of the Confraternity of the wood and tombstones'craftsmen. The name "ghirli" has many interpretations and reminds us of the swallows that built a nest around the church.

Saint Zenone
Facing the big square on the lake next to the town Casino, the ancient parish of St. Zenone is nowadays a well organized municipal museum used by the town-hall for several cultural happenings (expositions, concerts, etc.). The sizes and the form of the earlier church founded by Totone‘s family in the ninth century and also some burial places of the same epoch are legible thanks to the transparent floor of glass and steel wanted by the architect D Banaudi who has carried out the restoration.

Saint Peter's Oratory
This little church situated at the entry of the historical centre, where formerly there was one of the gates of the small town, is one of the most ancient monuments kept in the enclave. It is really a fragment of the old church which originally was dedicated to Nazaro and Vittore, two Ambrosian martyrs; this oratory now faces on the way out of Campione.

How to reach Campione

Plane:
Malpensa airport
Linate airport
Agno airport

Car:
From Italy
Highway A9 Milano - Chiasso,
A2 Chiasso - Lugano
exit Bissone Agno

From Switzerland
Highway Basel- Chiasso,
exit Melide

Bus:
Piazza Garibaldi (piazzale antistante la Stazione Ferroviaria Garibaldi)
Lugano SNLL

Train: Lugano station