Intragna, Switzerland
Encyclopedia
Intragna was a municipality
in the district of Locarno
in the canton
of Ticino
in Switzerland
. On 25 October 2009 the municipalities of Borgnone
, Intragna and Palagnedra merged into the municipality of Centovalli
.
Intragna has good railway connection with Locarno
, Switzerland and Domodossola
, Italy, as well as bus connections that lead to various hiking
routes. Several interesting paths begin from Intragna itself.
Intragna is an old town with ancient-style buildings and small narrow streets. It has artist workshops selling hand-made lacework and ceramics, as well as several hotels. The church tower of Intragna is claimed to be the highest tower in Ticino.
graves were discovered, which show the colonization of the area before the 1st Millennium BC. The modern village of Intragna is first mentioned in 1272 as Intranea'.
During the Middle Ages
the landlords over the village included both the Bishop of Como
and the Capitanei of Locarno
. Together with Golino and Verdasio, Intragna was part of a Vicinanza
. The first statutes of the Vicinanza were written in 1365 and were revised in 1469. They possessed the right to appoint one representative to the Council of the parish
of Locarno. The mayor (or console) was alternately appointed during five years by Intragna, then by one provided by Golini and Verdasio. During the 16th to 18th Centuries it was part of the bailiwick
of Locarno. In 1531, the Swiss Confederation
rejected an application from Intragna, Ascona
, Onsernone
and Centovalli to form a municipality that was independent of Locarno. Likewise, the conflict-ridden attempts of Golinos to form an independent municipality failed in the 18th and 19th Centuries.
Originally, the religious center of the region was Golino with the Church of San Giorgio, which was built before 1297. In 1474, the chapel of S. Gottardo in Intragna was built. In 1653 it split from the parish
of Golino (which had been created in the 16th Century). The parish of Intragna was elevated to have a provost
in 1747. The present church of S. Nome di Maria was built in 1722-38. In 1765-75 the bell tower was added, and with a height of 65 metres (213.3 ft) it is the highest in the canton of Ticino. The parish of Palagnedra was established in the 12th Century, and in 1622 Verdasio split from it, followed in 1644 by Rasa. The latter has had a rector since 2000. The church of S. Anna in Rasa was completed in 1753, while the church in Verdasio (SS Giacomo e Cristoforo), was built around 1800.
Traditionally, the major sources of income have always been farming and animal husbandry. But in the 1950s, these lost importance. Starting in the 16th Century, the income from seasonal migration (especially chimney sweep
in Lombardy
and Piedmont
) were added to the local economy. Between 1631-1847 the people of Rasa (along with Ronco, Losone and Terre di Pedemonte) possessed the monopoly for loading operations at the Custom House
of Livorno. In the second half of the 19th Century there was a strong emigration overseas (America, Australia). The local industrial production; watch factory, the quarry, the carpentry factory and the Peduli factory (cloth shoes with hemp soles from the early 20th century to 1962) came to a halt in the 1960s.
Between 1889-93, the main road was built, followed in 1923 by a station on the Domodossola - Locarno railway line
. Pila and Costa (1953) and Rasa (since 1958) are accessible only by cable car
. In 1929, a old-age and nursing home opened in San Donato. Intragna is the seat of the Regional Museum for the Centovalli and Terre di Pedemonte, which opened in 1989. While the population in the higher settlements has declined sharply (Rasa: 200 inhabitants at the beginning of the 16th century, while only 11 in 1970), Intragna and Golino, due to their proximity to Locarno, have grown since 1970. In 2000, two-thirds of the employed worked in the services sector, and about the same numbers commuted out of the municipality for work.
on a promontory at the confluence of the Isorno and Melezza
rivers. Golino, Verdasio, Pila, Vosa, Cremaso, Calezzo, Costa, Corcapolo and Rasa are frazione
s of Intragna. While Intragna and Golino are geographically and economically part of the Pedemonte (Tegna, Verscio, Cavigliano), the largest part of the township lies in the mountains and the alpine pastures of Centovalli.
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....
. On 25 October 2009 the municipalities of Borgnone
Borgnone
Borgnone was a municipality in the district of Locarno in the canton of Ticino in Switzerland. On 25 October 2009 the municipalities of Borgnone, Intragna and Palagnedra merged into the municipality of Centovalli.-History:...
, Intragna and Palagnedra merged into the municipality of Centovalli
Centovalli
Centovalli is a municipality in the district of Locarno in the canton of Ticino in Switzerland. On 25 October 2009 the municipalities of Borgnone, Intragna and Palagnedra merged into the municipality of Centovalli.-History:...
.
Intragna has good railway connection with 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...
, Switzerland and Domodossola
Domodossola
Domodossola is a city and comune in the Province of Verbano-Cusio-Ossola, in the region of Piedmont, northern Italy...
, Italy, as well as bus connections that lead to various hiking
Hiking
Hiking is an outdoor activity which consists of walking in natural environments, often in mountainous or other scenic terrain. People often hike on hiking trails. It is such a popular activity that there are numerous hiking organizations worldwide. The health benefits of different types of hiking...
routes. Several interesting paths begin from Intragna itself.
Intragna is an old town with ancient-style buildings and small narrow streets. It has artist workshops selling hand-made lacework and ceramics, as well as several hotels. The church tower of Intragna is claimed to be the highest tower in Ticino.
History
In 1897, several pre-RomanSwitzerland in the Roman era
The history of Switzerland in the Roman era encompasses the roughly six centuries during which the territory of modern Switzerland was a part of the Roman Republic and Empire...
graves were discovered, which show the colonization of the area before the 1st Millennium BC. The modern village of Intragna is first mentioned in 1272 as Intranea'.
During the Middle Ages
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...
the landlords over the village included both the Bishop of Como
Roman Catholic Diocese of Como
The Catholic diocese of Como, in northern Italy, has existed since the fourth century. It is a suffragan of the archdiocese of Milan. The bishops' seat is in Como Cathedral....
and the Capitanei of 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...
. Together with Golino and Verdasio, Intragna was part of a Vicinanza
Bürgergemeinde
The Bürgergemeinde is a statutory corporation in public law in Switzerland...
. The first statutes of the Vicinanza were written in 1365 and were revised in 1469. They possessed the right to appoint one representative to the Council 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 Locarno. The mayor (or console) was alternately appointed during five years by Intragna, then by one provided by Golini and Verdasio. During the 16th to 18th Centuries it was part of the bailiwick
Bailiwick
A bailiwick is usually the area of jurisdiction of a bailiff, and may also apply to a territory in which the sheriff's functions were exercised by a privately appointed bailiff under a royal or imperial writ. The word is now more generally used in a metaphorical sense, to indicate a sphere of...
of Locarno. In 1531, the Swiss Confederation
Old Swiss Confederacy
The Old Swiss Confederacy was the precursor of modern-day Switzerland....
rejected an application from Intragna, Ascona
Ascona
Ascona is a municipality in the district of Locarno in the canton of Ticino in Switzerland.It is located on the shore of Lake Maggiore.The town is a popular tourist destination, and holds a yearly jazz festival, the Ascona Jazz Festival....
, 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 Centovalli to form a municipality that was independent of Locarno. Likewise, the conflict-ridden attempts of Golinos to form an independent municipality failed in the 18th and 19th Centuries.
Originally, the religious center of the region was Golino with the Church of San Giorgio, which was built before 1297. In 1474, the chapel of S. Gottardo in Intragna was built. In 1653 it split from 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 Golino (which had been created in the 16th Century). The parish of Intragna was elevated to have a provost
Provost (religion)
A provost is a senior official in a number of Christian churches.-Historical Development:The word praepositus was originally applied to any ecclesiastical ruler or dignitary...
in 1747. The present church of S. Nome di Maria was built in 1722-38. In 1765-75 the bell tower was added, and with a height of 65 metres (213.3 ft) it is the highest in the canton of Ticino. The parish of Palagnedra was established in the 12th Century, and in 1622 Verdasio split from it, followed in 1644 by Rasa. The latter has had a rector since 2000. The church of S. Anna in Rasa was completed in 1753, while the church in Verdasio (SS Giacomo e Cristoforo), was built around 1800.
Traditionally, the major sources of income have always been farming and animal husbandry. But in the 1950s, these lost importance. Starting in the 16th Century, the income from seasonal migration (especially chimney sweep
Chimney sweep
A chimney sweep is a worker who clears ash and soot from chimneys. The chimney uses the pressure difference caused by a hot column of gas to create a draught and draw air over the hot coals or wood enabling continued combustion. Chimneys may be straight or contain many changes of direction. During...
in Lombardy
Lombardy
Lombardy is one of the 20 regions of Italy. The capital is Milan. One-sixth of Italy's population lives in Lombardy and about one fifth of Italy's GDP is produced in this region, making it the most populous and richest region in the country and one of the richest in the whole of Europe...
and Piedmont
Piedmont
Piedmont is one of the 20 regions of Italy. It has an area of 25,402 square kilometres and a population of about 4.4 million. The capital of Piedmont is Turin. The main local language is Piedmontese. Occitan is also spoken by a minority in the Occitan Valleys situated in the Provinces of...
) were added to the local economy. Between 1631-1847 the people of Rasa (along with Ronco, Losone and Terre di Pedemonte) possessed the monopoly for loading operations at the Custom House
Custom House
A custom house or customs house was a building housing the offices for the government officials who processed the paperwork for the import and export of goods into and out of a country. Customs officials also collected customs duty on imported goods....
of Livorno. In the second half of the 19th Century there was a strong emigration overseas (America, Australia). The local industrial production; watch factory, the quarry, the carpentry factory and the Peduli factory (cloth shoes with hemp soles from the early 20th century to 1962) came to a halt in the 1960s.
Between 1889-93, the main road was built, followed in 1923 by a station on the Domodossola - Locarno railway line
Domodossola–Locarno railway
The Domodossola-Locarno railway or 'Centovallina' is a metre-gauge railway between Domodossola, Italy and Locarno, Switzerland. It passes through the famous village of Intragna and carried over 1 million passengers in 2010. It is operated by the Ferrovie Autolinee Regionali Ticinesi in Switzerland...
. Pila and Costa (1953) and Rasa (since 1958) are accessible only by cable car
Cable car
A cable car is any of a variety of transportation systems relying on cables to pull vehicles along or lower them at a steady rate, or a vehicle on these systems.-Aerial lift:Aerial lifts where the vehicle is suspended in the air from a cable:...
. In 1929, a old-age and nursing home opened in San Donato. Intragna is the seat of the Regional Museum for the Centovalli and Terre di Pedemonte, which opened in 1989. While the population in the higher settlements has declined sharply (Rasa: 200 inhabitants at the beginning of the 16th century, while only 11 in 1970), Intragna and Golino, due to their proximity to Locarno, have grown since 1970. In 2000, two-thirds of the employed worked in the services sector, and about the same numbers commuted out of the municipality for work.
Location
The former municipality is in the Locarno district. The hamletHamlet (place)
A hamlet is usually a rural settlement which is too small to be considered a village, though sometimes the word is used for a different sort of community. Historically, when a hamlet became large enough to justify building a church, it was then classified as a village...
on a promontory at the confluence of the Isorno and Melezza
Melezzo Orientale
The Melezzo Orientale, or simply the Melezzo, in Switzerland the Melezza, is a 40 km Alpine torrent which runs through the eastern part of the Val Vigezzo, in the Province of Verbano Cusio Ossola, northern Italy; and through the Centovalli of Canton Ticino, Switzerland...
rivers. Golino, Verdasio, Pila, Vosa, Cremaso, Calezzo, Costa, Corcapolo and Rasa are frazione
Frazione
A frazione , in Italy, is the name given in administrative law to a type of territorial subdivision of a comune; for other administrative divisions, see municipio, circoscrizione, quartiere...
s of Intragna. While Intragna and Golino are geographically and economically part of the Pedemonte (Tegna, Verscio, Cavigliano), the largest part of the township lies in the mountains and the alpine pastures of Centovalli.
Historic population
The historical population is given in the following table:| Year | Population Intragna |
|---|---|
| 1653 | 604 |
| 1764 | over 1,000 |
| 1801 | 936 |
| 1850 | 1,428 |
| 1900 | 1,240 |
| 1950 | 957 |
| 1970 | 841 |
| 2000 | 915 |