Capolago facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Capolago
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Village and Quarter
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| Country | Switzerland | |
| Canton | Ticino | |
| District | Mendrisio | |
| City | Mendrisio | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 1.77 km2 (0.68 sq mi) | |
| Population
(2011-12-31)
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| • Total | 798 | |
| • Density | 450.8/km2 (1,168/sq mi) | |
Capolago is a charming village located at the southern end of Lake Lugano in Switzerland. It's part of the Ticino region, which is known for its Italian-speaking culture. Once a town on its own, Capolago is now a special part, called a "quarter," of the larger town of Mendrisio. It's known for its beautiful lake views and its connection to the mountains.
History of Capolago
Capolago was first mentioned in old records before the year 1300. It became more important in 1365 when a castle was built there. This castle was later taken down in 1517. After that, the village became well-known for fishing. People also used boats to carry goods and passengers across Lake Lugano to and from Lugano.
A famous architect named Carlo Maderno was born in Capolago in 1556. He is remembered as one of the key figures in Baroque architecture. He designed parts of very famous buildings in Rome, like St. Peter's Basilica.
Big changes came to Capolago with new ways to travel. In 1841, the Melide causeway was built, which made it easier to cross the lake by road. Then, in 1874, a part of the Gotthard Railway opened. These new connections made travel much faster. However, they also meant fewer people needed to use boats on the lake. But tourism got a boost when the Monte Generoso railway opened in 1890, taking visitors up the nearby mountain.
In 1910, an electric tramway started running through Capolago. It connected Capolago to other towns like Mendrisio and Chiasso. The tram service in Capolago stopped in 1948 and was replaced by buses.
The town was also home to an important printing press called Tipografia Elvetica. This press printed many important documents during the Risorgimento, which was the movement to unite Italy. In 1891, Capolago hosted a significant meeting known as the Capolago congress. People from different places gathered there to discuss ideas about society and how it should be organized.
In 2007, the people of Capolago and several other nearby towns voted to join together with the larger town of Mendrisio. This merger officially happened in April 2009.
Getting Around Capolago
Capolago has a train station called Capolago-Riva San Vitale. It's on the main Gotthard line of the Swiss Federal Railways. Trains run every half-hour, connecting Capolago to places like Bellinzona, Lugano, and Chiasso. Some trains even go further north to Airolo or south into Milan.
The station is also where you can catch the Monte Generoso railway. This special mountain railway takes you on a scenic trip up to the top of Monte Generoso.
Capolago also has a boat dock, called Capolago Lago. From here, you can take boats operated by the Società Navigazione del Lago di Lugano to explore Lake Lugano. These boat trips are available once or twice a day.
For local travel, buses from Autolinea Mendrisiense and AutoPostale stop near the station. These buses connect Capolago to nearby villages and towns like Mendrisio and Riva San Vitale.
