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There is a “democratic republic of Italian culture and language” that is not in Italy. I’m talking about Canton Ticino, which, along with the Italian-speaking Grisons, is also known as Italian Switzerland. But why is this territory Swiss? Today I’ll tell you the story of Canton Ticino and how the Swiss Confederation “conquered” a piece of Italy!
The Territory of Canton Ticino
The term “Canton” refers to a state within the Swiss Confederation. For convenience and to avoid too many repetitions, I will also refer to this territory as Ticino or Ticinese. I hope our Swiss friends won’t mind.
Canton Ticino occupies about 7% of the surface of the Swiss Confederation. It borders Italy to the east, west, and south, touching the Piedmontese provinces of Verbano-Cusio-Ossola and the Lombard provinces of Varese and Como. To the north, it borders the cantons of Valais, Uri, and the Grisons. The territory is divided into two regions, separated by Monte Ceneri, called Sopraceneri and Sottoceneri. This division is significant from a socioeconomic point of view: Sottoceneri, closer to Italy, is greatly influenced by the financial power of Milan, which has led to the major development of the banking and insurance sectors in Lugano and the surrounding areas.
From Celtic Origins to the Middle Ages
In ancient times, Ticino was inhabited by the Lepontii, a Celtic population. During Roman times, it was annexed to Regio Transpadana. In the Middle Ages, it shared the fate of the neighboring Lombard lands, enduring invasions by Ostrogoths, Lombards, and Franks. Shortly after 1100, the area became a battlefield in the war between the cities of Milan and Como. In the mid-14th century, Ticino was conquered by the Dukes of Milan, falling under the control of the Visconti and later the Sforza families.
The Swiss Confederates’ Conquest
In the 15th century, the Swiss confederates began their conquest of the valleys south of the Alps. Canton Uri took the Leventina Valley in 1440. A few years later, in 1500, the confederates continued their expansion, and Uri, Schwyz, and Unterwalden seized Bellinzona and the Riviera. In 1512, the confederates helped Massimiliano Sforza regain control of the Duchy of Milan, obtaining in exchange control over Lugano and Mendrisio, as well as other nearby areas. However, this expansion was halted in 1515 after their defeat at the Battle of Marignano.
The Reformation and the Birth of Canton Ticino
Switzerland became one of the centers of the Protestant Reformation, but Ticino remained Catholic. Those who decided to convert to Protestantism were forced to move to the Protestant cantons. Ecclesiastically, the territory was divided between the dioceses of Como and Milan.
In 1798, Napoleon united the bailiwicks, forming the cantons of Bellinzona and Lugano, which were unified under the name of Canton Ticino in 1803.
Monarchies and the Formation of Canton Structures
The capital of Canton Ticino was initially established in Bellinzona, but Lugano disagreed. It was therefore decided that Bellinzona, Lugano, and Locarno would alternate as capitals every 6 years. This continued until 1878, when Bellinzona became the permanent capital.
Internal Conflicts in the 19th Century
The entire 19th century was characterized by struggles between liberals and conservatives. The liberals, closely tied to the Italian Risorgimento movement, pushed for greater secularization. Austria, annoyed by Ticino’s proximity to the Risorgimento, imposed an economic blockade on the canton, causing significant difficulties.
The Sonderbund and Political Stabilization
In 1845, the Sonderbund began, an internal Swiss war between conservative Catholic cantons and liberal cantons. Ticino remained loyal to the federal government, avoiding direct involvement in the clashes. In 1877, new elections led to a conservative victory.
Ecclesiastical and Political Reforms
In 1888, the ecclesiastical law was modified in favor of the Church, and the Holy See separated Ticino from the dioceses of Milan and Como. In 1890, a liberal revolution shook the canton, leading to new elections and the establishment of a coalition government between liberals and conservatives.
Economic Development in the 20th Century
Throughout the 19th century, Canton Ticino, which produced agricultural goods such as straw, tobacco, silk, and cheese, suffered from severe economic backwardness, leading to significant emigration. However, the situation improved with early industrialization and the rise of tourism. From 1960 onward, Ticino established itself as an important financial center, attracting workers from Italy.
Conclusion
We’ve reached the end of our journey. As we’ve seen, the history of Canton Ticino is deeply connected to Italy’s. In fact, every day, nearly 79,000 Italians cross the border to work in Switzerland. Did you know about the history of Canton Ticino? Have you ever been to Ticino? If so, where? Share your experiences in the comments so that our community can discover new places and maybe add them to their travel lists.
