History Alto Malcantone

1 history

1.1 arosio
1.2 breno
1.3 fescoggia
1.4 mugena
1.5 vezio

history

arosio first mentioned in 1335 aroxio. breno first mentioned in 1140 breno. fescoggia first mentioned in 1296 fescozia. mugena first mentioned in 1214 megiadina. in 1270 mentioned migena. vezio first mentioned in 1355 vecio.

arosio

according tradition, roman road leading ponte tresa monte ceneri pass ran through arosio. middle ages central town in upper magliasina valley, @ time known valle d arosio. villages of arosio, breno, cademario, mugena tortoglio , vezio formed economic , political unit.

the church of san michele first mentioned in 1217. in 1640-47 totally rebuilt. contains cycle of frescoes antonio da tradate , notable stucco work local artists 17th , 18th centuries. @ 1 time, architects , master builders of arosio operated throughout europe.

the local economy based on agriculture , herding in alpine meadows. in recent decades services sector dominated local economy. after 1960, number of new houses built in village.

breno

archaeological digs have uncovered items roman era in breno. village name celtic in origin, though exact meaning unknown. @ time after year 1000, abbey of s. abbondio in como acquired rights , land in breno. municipality bought out under rights in 1579. modernly, village includes south land once belonged municipality of tortoglio. land abandoned in wake of plague in 15th century. village involved in land dispute miglieglia until 1890.

the parish established fescoggia parish in 1592. parish church of s. lorenzo built in 1233, rebuilt in 1596 , expanded in 1852.

the local economy included both agriculture , herding in alpine pastures. alp rettaiola (alpine pasture) lost after century-long dispute italian valle veddasca, following decision of varese congress in 1752. in upper malcantone valley many of farmers own land both in valley , in lower, hilly area between neggio , bosco luganese. before winter sets in, move animals down hills winter pastures. seasonal migration began in 16th century , common until beginning of 19th century. between 16th , 19th centuries, limited land , resources led large exodus of construction workers breno. strong philanthropic attitude , community life, supported grants wealthy villagers had emigrated, allowed village build number of institutions in 19th century. important school of drawing 1883. end of 20th century, many of workers in breno commuted lugano work.

fescoggia

according 1296 document fescoggia 1 of 2 villages in lugano area, totally owned como cathedral. monastery of s. abbondio in como owned tithe right in village, sold in 1579 breno.

fescoggia belongs parish of breno. chapel of s. silvester built in late 13th century, on ruins of church dedicated madonna of snows. renovated in late 18th century.

in 15th century, village area included monti di lot , alp firinesc. until end of 19th century, inhabitants drove animals in seasonal migration alpine pastures east slopes of mountains of santa maria , cervello. on monte torri, in 19th century, iron ore (hematite) mine opened furnace smelting operation built. in 2000, more four-fifths of workers living in fescoggia commuters.

mugena

a random discovery led excavation of roman cremation cemetery. in middle ages, como cathedral possessed property, tithes , rights use alpine meadows on half of nisciora alp. documents mention castrum, supply camp, determination remains controversial. in 13th century, mugena belonged valle d arosio (upper magliasina valley), economic , administrative unit, included arosio, breno, cademario, mugena, tortoglio , vezio.

the parish church of s. agata first mentioned in 1361. in 1636 was, after mugena separated breno, promoted vice parish. church renovated , toward end of 17th century, rebuilt. current church features valuable stucco work 18th century.

the village has retained rural appearance. historically, farming , grazing in alpine meadows of s. maria , cervello main source of income. @ beginning of 21st century, residents in valley work in lugano.

vezio

in middle ages, bishop , monastery of st. abbondio in como owned property , rights in vezio. part of parish of breno until 1626, when became part of mugena parish. established in 1684 vice-parish.

the parish church of st. bartholomew built in 1745 on grounds @ former building, dates 1444. inside church there fine stucco artists malcantone valley.

until second world war there strong migration of construction workers jobs outside switzerland. until late 19th century, part of population seasonally migrated eastern slopes of mountains of s. maria , cervello. in 20th century small hydroelectric plant built near village.