Champion of Italy

Campione d'Italia is an Italian municipality, exclave in Swiss territory, which overlooks Lake Lugano. Its origins date back to the Middle Ages when Totone drew up a legal will in which upon his death all his possessions became the property of the monastery of Sant'Ambrogio in Milan. Feud of the church for over 1000 years it was entrusted at the end of the 13th century to Lombardy and subsequently to the Kingdom of Italy. Lake Ceresio is one of the most beautiful lakes in Italy and Switzerland, even if only a part extends into the Varese area. Its shape is intricate and irregular, its maximum depth is 288 meters. The lake is co-protagonist during the feast of San Zenone, patron saint of the city; during this festival the lake is blessed and a wreath of flowers is thrown. The church of the Madonna dei Ghirli is located on a terrace reachable from the lake by a four-flight staircase, inside there are wonderful frescoes of the thirteenth century. At the entrance of the church is the oratory of San Pietro, the archaeological excavations of 1994 have ascertained the medieval origins of the foundation. In the early Middle Ages the area was used as a necropolis only in the eighth century was a church dedicated to San Vittore and Nazario built and has a cemetery function. Due to the numerous changes, many frescoed works have been lost. Close to the churches there is the soccer field of the chicks, where the little ones can learn this discipline and one day become real champions. Unfortunately, the symbolic casino of the city was closed in 2018, accumulating debts of 5 million francs; with the closure of this impressive venue, the city has lost its luster and the place where the major shows were held. In the civic gallery there are marvelous sculptures by Campionesi and paintings of great luster. The purpose of the gallery is to collect all the ecclesiastical and non-ecclesiastical works that are found.