Welcome to Lugano

"He who returns from a journey is not the same as he who left." Chinese Proverb

Welcome to Lugano!

It has just hit me that I am writing my funky blog about Lugano but have never actually introduced the city to you. For those of you who are following me from abroad this might give you a little more insight of how the city ticks. For those of you who know Lugano this post might give you some new info about the city we live in. I would love to hear your feedback. 

Lugano - Lügan in Ticinese dialect - is a city in the south of Switzerland, in the Italian-speaking canton of Ticino where Italian and Mediterrean way of life is mixed with Swiss precision and efficiency.

Lugano, the "pearl of Lake Lugano", lies in a bay half-way down the lake, flanked by Monte San Salvatore and Monte Brè. It is the largest and most important town in Ticino, and the beauty of the town and its setting makes it one of Switzerland's most popular holiday resorts

during the warmer months of the year. The architecture and way of life of Lugano show distinctly southern characteristics, as does the plant life.

For this scenery Lugano is sometimes also called little Rio de Janeiro.

Lugano has a long history which dates back to the first testimonials in 875. Finding itself just below the Swiss alps, almost on the borders with Italy, it has always been a crossroads of many different cultures, which trespassed it on their journeys or settled down there since its very early times. At the end of 2009, Lugano counted 55'000 inhabitants, 20'000 of which were of foreign origins. Nowadays, people of about 130 different nationalities call Lugano their hometown, among which prevail people coming from Italy, followed by Ex-Yugoslavian immigrants. In order to foster, integrate, as well as celebrate this incredible variety of ethnicities, the town of Lugano has established various events and demonstrations, such as the event “Trasguardi”, the “Consenso” Project, the “Feast of the neighbours”.

It is the 9th largest city of Switzerland by population.

I hope my blog will help and inspire you to enjoy your real or virtual stay here in la bella Lugano.