Brione (Verzasca) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Brione
Former municipality of Switzerland
Coat of arms
Brione Location in Switzerland Show map of Switzerland Brione Location in Canton of Ticino Show map of Canton of Ticino
Country	Switzerland
Canton	Ticino
District	Locarno
Area
• Total	48.56 km2 (18.75 sq mi)
Elevation	756 m (2,480 ft)
Population  (December 2019)
• Total	172
• Density	3.542/km2 (9.174/sq mi)
Postal code	6634
Surrounded by	Cevio, Gerra (Verzasca), Gordevio, Lavertezzo, Lavizzara, Sonogno

Brione (Verzasca) is a small village in the Ticino region of Switzerland. It used to be its own municipality in the Locarno area. However, on October 17, 2020, Brione (Verzasca) joined with several other villages like Vogorno and Sonogno. Together, they formed a new, larger municipality called Verzasca.

History of Brione (Verzasca)

Alpine hut near Brione, showing the old tradition of alpine grazing.

In the Middle Ages, Brione was part of a larger community in the Verzasca valley. Later, it teamed up with the nearby village of Gerra to form a "Vicinanza." This was a group of families who shared land and resources.

In 1852, Brione and Gerra became separate, independent towns. Brione was one of the main towns in the upper valley. It even took turns with Vogorno to choose important leaders for the area.

The impressive Castello Marcacci was built in Brione in the 1600s. It was a summer home for the Marcacci family, who were powerful local leaders.

The Church of Beata Vergine Assunta is another important historical building. It was built on the remains of a chapel from 1295. The church was made bigger in the 1600s and fixed up in the 1800s. Inside, you can see beautiful old frescoes (wall paintings) from the 1300s and 1400s.

For a long time, the people of Brione mainly made their living from farming and raising animals. They practiced "seasonal migration" (called transhumance). This meant they moved their cattle to different pastures depending on the season. Since the 1300s, many residents would spend their winters with their cows in the warmer Magadino valley.

Geography of Brione (Verzasca)

Brione (Verzasca) covers an area of about 48.56 square kilometers (about 18.75 square miles). Most of this land is covered by forests, making up about 47.7% of the area. Another large part, about 43.2%, is unproductive land, meaning it's too rocky or has too little soil for farming or building.

A small part of the land, about 1.3%, is used for farming. Even less, about 0.7%, has buildings or roads. Rivers and lakes make up about 2.1% of the area.

The village itself is located in the upper part of the Verzasca valley, which is in the Locarno district.

Brione's Coat of Arms

The coat of arms for Brione (Verzasca) has a special design. It shows a golden lion standing on a silver background. The lion is holding a red castle in its front paws. This design was the symbol of the Gada family, who were important in the area long ago.

People of Brione (Verzasca)

Brione town hall, where local decisions were made.

In 2019, Brione had a population of 172 people. A small number of these residents, about 4.9%, were from other countries in 2008. Over ten years (1997-2007), the population slightly decreased.

Most people in Brione speak Italian, which is the main language for about 86.7% of the population. Some people also speak German (7.9%) or French (4.4%).

In 2009, about 10.1% of the population were children aged 0-9 years old, and 9.1% were teenagers aged 10-19. The largest group was adults aged 50-59, making up 20.2% of the population.

Most homes in Brione are single-family houses. In 2000, there were 84 private households, with about 2.4 people living in each. Many apartments in Brione are used only during certain seasons, like for holidays.

Here's how Brione's population has changed over time:

The population sometimes went down because people moved to other countries.

Interesting Sights

The entire village of Brione (Verzasca) is considered a special place. It's part of the Inventory of Swiss Heritage Sites, which means it has important historical and cultural value.

Economy of Brione (Verzasca)

In 2007, the unemployment rate in Brione was about 2.81%. This means a small number of people who wanted jobs couldn't find them.

The economy of Brione involves different types of work:

• Primary sector: This includes jobs like farming and forestry. In 2005, 25 people worked in this area.
• Secondary sector: This involves manufacturing and construction. 9 people worked in this sector.
• Tertiary sector: This includes services like shops, hotels, and tourism. 36 people worked in this area.

Many people who live in Brione travel to other towns for work. In 2000, about 49 residents commuted out of the municipality, while only 10 came in to work. Most people used a private car to get to work.

As of 2009, Brione had one hotel, which is important for tourism.

Religion in Brione (Verzasca)

Brione village church and town hall, important community buildings.

According to the 2000 census, most people in Brione are Roman Catholic, making up about 77.3% of the population. A smaller group, about 5.9%, belonged to the Swiss Reformed Church. Some people belonged to other churches, and a few did not state their religion.

Education in Brione (Verzasca)

Many adults in Brione have completed higher education. About 58.6% of people aged 25 to 64 have finished either a non-mandatory upper secondary school or a university/college degree.

In 2009, there were 38 students in Brione. The education system in Ticino (the canton Brione is in) works like this:

• Kindergarten: Up to three years, not required. In Brione, 5 children were in kindergarten.
• Primary school: Lasts five years. 10 students attended standard primary school.
• Lower secondary school: Students can go to a two-year middle school or a four-year program for higher education. 5 students were in middle school, and 2 were in the advanced program.
• Upper secondary school: Prepares students for a trade or university. Some students attend school while doing an internship (vocational students). In Brione, 4 vocational students attended full-time, and 11 attended part-time.
• Professional program: Lasts three years and prepares students for jobs in fields like engineering or nursing. 1 student was in this program.

In 2000, 19 students from Brione went to schools outside the municipality, while 5 students from other towns came to school in Brione.

See also

In Spanish: Brione (Verzasca) para niños

Images for kids

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  Aerial view of Brione (1953)

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  Aerial view of Lavertezzo, a nearby village

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  A Rustica (traditional stone house) in Brione