Gresso
Encyclopedia
Gresso is a municipality
in the district of Locarno
in the canton
of Ticino
in Switzerland
. The municipality was formed in 1882 by splitting from Vergeletto
.
of Muralto. The modern village of Gresso is first mentioned in 1316 as Agrassio. Until 1803, Gresso was part of the Squadra of Russo (now Onsernone
), one of five Squadre, that formed the medieval
community of Onsernone.
The village church has always been part of the parish
of Vergeletto
. The Chapel of S. Orsola was built in 1703 and rebuilt in 1730. It was renovated in the late 20th Century.
The village didn't have a drivable road until 1885. The local economy was based on agriculture, animal husbandry, and, for a time, emigration. Most of the population is elderly, the few younger residents have either moved away or commute to Locarno
.
Of the built up area, housing and buildings made up 0.3% and transportation infrastructure made up 0.4%. Out of the forested land, 52.2% of the total land area is heavily forested and 5.7% is covered with orchards or small clusters of trees. Of the agricultural land, 1.3% is used for growing crops. All the water in the municipality is flowing water. Of the unproductive areas, 11.1% is unproductive vegetation and 4.9% is too rocky for vegetation.
The municipality is located in the Locarno district, at an elevation of 999 m (3,277.6 ft) on the steep, left side of the Vergeletto valley.
The municipalities of Gresso, Mosogno
, Vergeletto
, Onsernone
and Isorno
are considering a merger some time in the future into a new municipality which will be known as Onsernone.
of the municipal coat of arms
is Azure a dove displayed argent and in a chief of the last a cross gules.
Most of the population speaks Italian
(94.3%), with German
and French
making up the rest (2.9% each). Of the Swiss national languages , 1 person speaks German
, 1 person speaks French
and 33 people speak Italian
.
, the gender distribution of the population was 50.0% male and 50.0% female. The population was made up of 15 Swiss men and 15 Swiss women.
The age distribution, , in Gresso is; 2 children or 6.7% of the population are between 0 and 9 years old and there are no teenagers. Of the adult population, 1 person is between 20 and 29 years old. 4 people or 13.3% are between 30 and 39, 1 person is between 40 and 49, and 6 people or 20.0% are between 50 and 59. The senior population distribution is 7 people or 23.3% of the population are between 60 and 69 years old, 6 people or 20.0% are between 70 and 79, there are 3 people or 10.0% who are over 80.
the average number of residents per living room was 0.45 which is less people per room than the cantonal average of 0.6 per room. In this case, a room is defined as space of a housing unit of at least 4 m² (43.1 sq ft) as normal bedrooms, dining rooms, living rooms, kitchens and habitable cellars and attics. About 89.5% of the total households were owner occupied, or in other words did not pay rent (though they may have a mortgage
or a rent-to-own agreement).
, there were 19 private households in the municipality, and an average of 1.8 persons per household. there were 72 single family homes (or 88.9% of the total) out of a total of 81 inhabited buildings. There were 7 two family buildings (8.6%) and there were also 2 buildings in the municipality that were multipurpose buildings (used for both housing and commercial or another purpose).
The vacancy rate for the municipality, , was 0%. there were 89 apartments in the municipality. The most common apartment size was the 2 room apartment of which there were 27. There were 4 single room apartments and 9 apartments with five or more rooms. Of these apartments, a total of 19 apartments (21.3% of the total) were permanently occupied, while 69 apartments (77.5%) were seasonally occupied and 1 apartments (1.1%) were empty. , the construction rate of new housing units was 0 new units per 1000 residents.
The historical population is given in the following table:
the most popular party was the FDP
which received 57.74% of the vote. The next three most popular parties were the SP
(27.98%), the Ticino League
(9.52%) and the CVP
(4.76%). In the federal election, a total of 21 votes were cast, and the voter turnout
was 58.3%.
In the Gran Consiglio election, there were a total of 37 registered voters in Gresso, of which 19 or 51.4% voted. The most popular party was the PLRT
which received 13 or 68.4% of the vote. The next two most popular parties were; the PS
(with 4 or 21.1%), the PPD
+GenGiova (with 1 or 5.3%).
In the Consiglio di Stato election, The most popular party was the PLRT which received 13 or 68.4% of the vote. The next two most popular parties were; the PS (with 4 or 21.1%), the LEGA (with 1 or 5.3%).
, there were 8 workers who commuted away from the municipality. Of the working population, 16.7% used public transportation to get to work, and 50% used a private car.
. There are 1 individuals (or about 2.86% of the population) who belong to another church (not listed on the census), and 2 individuals (or about 5.71% of the population) did not answer the question.
).
, there were 2 students from Gresso who attended schools outside the municipality.
Municipalities of Switzerland
Communes , also known as municipalities, are the smallest government division in Switzerland, numbering 2,596 . While many have a population of a few hundred citizens, the largest cities such as Zürich or Geneva also have the legal status of municipalities...
in the district of Locarno
Locarno (district)
The district of Locarno is a district of Canton Ticino, Switzerland. It has a population of .-Geography:...
in the canton
Cantons of Switzerland
The 26 cantons of Switzerland are the member states of the federal state of Switzerland. Each canton was a fully sovereign state with its own borders, army and currency from the Treaty of Westphalia until the establishment of the Swiss federal state in 1848...
of Ticino
Ticino
Canton Ticino or Ticino is the southernmost canton of Switzerland. Named after the Ticino river, it is the only canton in which Italian is the sole official language...
in Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
. The municipality was formed in 1882 by splitting from Vergeletto
Vergeletto
Vergeletto is a municipality in the district of Locarno in the canton of Ticino in Switzerland.- History :In the Middle Ages Vergeletto belonged to the Onsernone Vicinanza and to the squadra of Russo. In 1803 the municipality of Vergeletto also included the municipality of Gresso, both...
.
History
The discovery of a Roman tomb from the 1st-2nd Century AD, with pottery and coins, proves that Gresso was part of the outer-most reaches of the VicusVicus
Vicus may refer to:*Vicus , plural vici, a neighborhood or local administrative unit of ancient Rome**Vicus Tuscus in Rome**Vicus Jugarius, leading into the Roman Forum** Gensis in Moesia Superior...
of Muralto. The modern village of Gresso is first mentioned in 1316 as Agrassio. Until 1803, Gresso was part of the Squadra of Russo (now Onsernone
Onsernone
Onsernone is a municipality in the Swiss canton of Ticino, near the city of Locarno. The river Isorno runs through this valley.The municipality was created in 1995 by a merger of Comologno, Crana and Russo.-History:...
), one of five Squadre, that formed the medieval
Middle Ages
The Middle Ages is a periodization of European history from the 5th century to the 15th century. The Middle Ages follows the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 and precedes the Early Modern Era. It is the middle period of a three-period division of Western history: Classic, Medieval and Modern...
community of Onsernone.
The village church has always been part of the parish
Parish
A parish is a territorial unit historically under the pastoral care and clerical jurisdiction of one parish priest, who might be assisted in his pastoral duties by a curate or curates - also priests but not the parish priest - from a more or less central parish church with its associated organization...
of Vergeletto
Vergeletto
Vergeletto is a municipality in the district of Locarno in the canton of Ticino in Switzerland.- History :In the Middle Ages Vergeletto belonged to the Onsernone Vicinanza and to the squadra of Russo. In 1803 the municipality of Vergeletto also included the municipality of Gresso, both...
. The Chapel of S. Orsola was built in 1703 and rebuilt in 1730. It was renovated in the late 20th Century.
The village didn't have a drivable road until 1885. The local economy was based on agriculture, animal husbandry, and, for a time, emigration. Most of the population is elderly, the few younger residents have either moved away or commute to Locarno
Locarno
Locarno is the capital of the Locarno district, located on the northern tip of Lake Maggiore in the Swiss canton of Ticino, close to Ascona at the foot of the Alps. It has a population of about 15,000...
.
Geography
Gresso has an area, , of 11.08 square kilometres (4.3 sq mi). Of this area, 0.17 km² (0.065637366960731 sq mi) or 1.5% is used for agricultural purposes, while 6.77 km² (2.6 sq mi) or 61.1% is forested. Of the rest of the land, 0.09 km² (22.2 acre) or 0.8% is settled (buildings or roads), 0.19 km² (0.0733594101325817 sq mi) or 1.7% is either rivers or lakes and 1.77 km² (0.683400820708787 sq mi) or 16.0% is unproductive land.Of the built up area, housing and buildings made up 0.3% and transportation infrastructure made up 0.4%. Out of the forested land, 52.2% of the total land area is heavily forested and 5.7% is covered with orchards or small clusters of trees. Of the agricultural land, 1.3% is used for growing crops. All the water in the municipality is flowing water. Of the unproductive areas, 11.1% is unproductive vegetation and 4.9% is too rocky for vegetation.
The municipality is located in the Locarno district, at an elevation of 999 m (3,277.6 ft) on the steep, left side of the Vergeletto valley.
The municipalities of Gresso, Mosogno
Mosogno
Mosogno is a municipality in the district of Locarno in the canton of Ticino in Switzerland.-History:Mosogno is first mentioned in 1277 as Mosogno. In 1352 it was mentioned as Muxognio. In the Middle Ages, it was one of the five Squadre that made up the community of Onsernone. It became an...
, Vergeletto
Vergeletto
Vergeletto is a municipality in the district of Locarno in the canton of Ticino in Switzerland.- History :In the Middle Ages Vergeletto belonged to the Onsernone Vicinanza and to the squadra of Russo. In 1803 the municipality of Vergeletto also included the municipality of Gresso, both...
, Onsernone
Onsernone
Onsernone is a municipality in the Swiss canton of Ticino, near the city of Locarno. The river Isorno runs through this valley.The municipality was created in 1995 by a merger of Comologno, Crana and Russo.-History:...
and Isorno
Isorno
Isorno is a municipality in the district of Locarno in the canton of Ticino in Switzerland.The municipality was created in 2001 by a merger of Auressio, Berzona and Loco.-History:...
are considering a merger some time in the future into a new municipality which will be known as Onsernone.
Coat of arms
The blazonBlazon
In heraldry and heraldic vexillology, a blazon is a formal description of a coat of arms, flag or similar emblem, from which the reader can reconstruct the appropriate image...
of the municipal coat of arms
Coat of arms
A coat of arms is a unique heraldic design on a shield or escutcheon or on a surcoat or tabard used to cover and protect armour and to identify the wearer. Thus the term is often stated as "coat-armour", because it was anciently displayed on the front of a coat of cloth...
is Azure a dove displayed argent and in a chief of the last a cross gules.
Demographics
Gresso has a population of . , 3.7% of the population are resident foreign nationals. Over the last 10 years (1997–2007) the population has changed at a rate of -38.6%.Most of the population speaks Italian
Italian language
Italian is a Romance language spoken mainly in Europe: Italy, Switzerland, San Marino, Vatican City, by minorities in Malta, Monaco, Croatia, Slovenia, France, Libya, Eritrea, and Somalia, and by immigrant communities in the Americas and Australia...
(94.3%), with German
German language
German is a West Germanic language, related to and classified alongside English and Dutch. With an estimated 90 – 98 million native speakers, German is one of the world's major languages and is the most widely-spoken first language in the European Union....
and French
French language
French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...
making up the rest (2.9% each). Of the Swiss national languages , 1 person speaks German
German language
German is a West Germanic language, related to and classified alongside English and Dutch. With an estimated 90 – 98 million native speakers, German is one of the world's major languages and is the most widely-spoken first language in the European Union....
, 1 person speaks French
French language
French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...
and 33 people speak Italian
Italian language
Italian is a Romance language spoken mainly in Europe: Italy, Switzerland, San Marino, Vatican City, by minorities in Malta, Monaco, Croatia, Slovenia, France, Libya, Eritrea, and Somalia, and by immigrant communities in the Americas and Australia...
.
, the gender distribution of the population was 50.0% male and 50.0% female. The population was made up of 15 Swiss men and 15 Swiss women.
The age distribution, , in Gresso is; 2 children or 6.7% of the population are between 0 and 9 years old and there are no teenagers. Of the adult population, 1 person is between 20 and 29 years old. 4 people or 13.3% are between 30 and 39, 1 person is between 40 and 49, and 6 people or 20.0% are between 50 and 59. The senior population distribution is 7 people or 23.3% of the population are between 60 and 69 years old, 6 people or 20.0% are between 70 and 79, there are 3 people or 10.0% who are over 80.
the average number of residents per living room was 0.45 which is less people per room than the cantonal average of 0.6 per room. In this case, a room is defined as space of a housing unit of at least 4 m² (43.1 sq ft) as normal bedrooms, dining rooms, living rooms, kitchens and habitable cellars and attics. About 89.5% of the total households were owner occupied, or in other words did not pay rent (though they may have a mortgage
Mortgage loan
A mortgage loan is a loan secured by real property through the use of a mortgage note which evidences the existence of the loan and the encumbrance of that realty through the granting of a mortgage which secures the loan...
or a rent-to-own agreement).
, there were 19 private households in the municipality, and an average of 1.8 persons per household. there were 72 single family homes (or 88.9% of the total) out of a total of 81 inhabited buildings. There were 7 two family buildings (8.6%) and there were also 2 buildings in the municipality that were multipurpose buildings (used for both housing and commercial or another purpose).
The vacancy rate for the municipality, , was 0%. there were 89 apartments in the municipality. The most common apartment size was the 2 room apartment of which there were 27. There were 4 single room apartments and 9 apartments with five or more rooms. Of these apartments, a total of 19 apartments (21.3% of the total) were permanently occupied, while 69 apartments (77.5%) were seasonally occupied and 1 apartments (1.1%) were empty. , the construction rate of new housing units was 0 new units per 1000 residents.
The historical population is given in the following table:
| year | population |
|---|---|
| 1888 | 290 |
| 1900 | 278 |
| 1950 | 139 |
| 1970 | 68 |
| 1990 | 48 |
| 2000 | 35 |
Sights
The entire village of Gresso is designated as part of the Inventory of Swiss Heritage SitesInventory of Swiss Heritage Sites
The Inventory of Swiss Heritage Sites is part of a 1981 Ordinance of the Swiss Federal Council implementing the Federal Law on the Protection of Nature and Cultural Heritage.-Sites of national importance:-Types:...
Politics
In the 2007 federal electionSwiss federal election, 2007
Elections to the Swiss Federal Assembly, the federal parliament of Switzerland, were held on Sunday, 21 October 2007. In a few cantons, a second round of the elections to the Council of States was held on 11 November, 18 November, and 25 November 2007...
the most popular party was the FDP
FDP.The Liberals
FDP.The Liberals is a classical liberal political party in Switzerland. It is the joint-largest party in the Federal Council, third-largest party in the National Council, and second-largest in the Council of States....
which received 57.74% of the vote. The next three most popular parties were the SP
Social Democratic Party of Switzerland
The Social Democratic Party of Switzerland is the largest centre-left political party in Switzerland....
(27.98%), the Ticino League
Ticino League
The Ticino League is an isolationist, national conservative political party in Switzerland active in the canton of Ticino.In 1991, after some public campaigning in the Sunday journal Mattino della Domenica against political power and use of public money, the editor Giuliano Bignasca and the...
(9.52%) and the CVP
Christian Democratic People's Party of Switzerland
The Christian Democratic People's Party of Switzerland is a Christian democratic political party in Switzerland. It is the fourth-largest party in the National Council, with 31 seats, and the largest in the Council of States, with 15 seats. It has one seat, that of Doris Leuthard, on the Swiss...
(4.76%). In the federal election, a total of 21 votes were cast, and the voter turnout
Voter turnout
Voter turnout is the percentage of eligible voters who cast a ballot in an election . After increasing for many decades, there has been a trend of decreasing voter turnout in most established democracies since the 1960s...
was 58.3%.
In the Gran Consiglio election, there were a total of 37 registered voters in Gresso, of which 19 or 51.4% voted. The most popular party was the PLRT
FDP.The Liberals
FDP.The Liberals is a classical liberal political party in Switzerland. It is the joint-largest party in the Federal Council, third-largest party in the National Council, and second-largest in the Council of States....
which received 13 or 68.4% of the vote. The next two most popular parties were; the PS
Social Democratic Party of Switzerland
The Social Democratic Party of Switzerland is the largest centre-left political party in Switzerland....
(with 4 or 21.1%), the PPD
Christian Democratic People's Party of Switzerland
The Christian Democratic People's Party of Switzerland is a Christian democratic political party in Switzerland. It is the fourth-largest party in the National Council, with 31 seats, and the largest in the Council of States, with 15 seats. It has one seat, that of Doris Leuthard, on the Swiss...
+GenGiova (with 1 or 5.3%).
In the Consiglio di Stato election, The most popular party was the PLRT which received 13 or 68.4% of the vote. The next two most popular parties were; the PS (with 4 or 21.1%), the LEGA (with 1 or 5.3%).
Economy
, Gresso had an unemployment rate of 4.49%. , no one was employed in the primary economic sectoror the secondary sector. 1 person was employed in the tertiary sector, with 1 business in this sector. There were 12 residents of the municipality who were employed in some capacity, of which females made up 58.3% of the workforce., there were 8 workers who commuted away from the municipality. Of the working population, 16.7% used public transportation to get to work, and 50% used a private car.
Religion
From the , 32 or 91.4% were Roman Catholic, while or 0.0% belonged to the Swiss Reformed ChurchSwiss Reformed Church
The Reformed branch of Protestantism in Switzerland was started in Zürich by Huldrych Zwingli and spread within a few years to Basel , Bern , St...
. There are 1 individuals (or about 2.86% of the population) who belong to another church (not listed on the census), and 2 individuals (or about 5.71% of the population) did not answer the question.
Education
The entire Swiss population is generally well educated. In Gresso about 64.7% of the population (between age 25-64) have completed either non-mandatory upper secondary education or additional higher education (either university or a FachhochschuleFachhochschule
A Fachhochschule or University of Applied Sciences is a German type of tertiary education institution, sometimes specialized in certain topical areas . Fachhochschulen were founded in Germany and later adopted by Austria, Liechtenstein, Switzerland and Greece...
).
, there were 2 students from Gresso who attended schools outside the municipality.