Cugnasco facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Cugnasco
Former municipality of Switzerland
Cugnasco village
Coat of arms
Cugnasco Location in Switzerland Show map of Switzerland Cugnasco Location in Canton of Ticino Show map of Canton of Ticino
Country	Switzerland
Canton	Ticino
District	Locarno
Municipality	Cugnasco-Gerra
Area
• Total	17.1 km2 (6.6 sq mi)
Elevation	225 m (738 ft)
Population
• Total	1,269
• Density	74.21/km2 (192.2/sq mi)
Postal code	6516
Localities	Bosco, Boscioredo, Massarescio, Medoscio, Moncucco, Pianrestello, Sciarana, La Monda

Cugnasco is a charming village in the canton of Ticino, Switzerland. It's part of the larger Cugnasco-Gerra area.

This village used to be its own independent municipality. However, on January 1, 2009, Cugnasco joined with another village called Gerra (Verzasca). Together, they formed the new municipality of Cugnasco-Gerra.

Where is Cugnasco Located?

Cugnasco is found near the edge of the Magadino valley. This area includes several smaller settlements. Some of these places are Boscioredo, Bosco, Massarescio, and Medoscio. Other parts are Moncucco, Pianrestello, and Sciarana.

A Look at Cugnasco's History

Cugnasco was first mentioned in old records in the year 1374. The oldest parts of the area were mountain pastures. These were called Ditto and Curogna.

Later, people started to settle in the valley. This valley was once marshy, near the Ticino River. The village grew because herders brought their cattle down from the mountains. They spent the winter months in the warmer Magadino valley.

Around the 13th and 14th centuries, many people moved here. About 150 people from Ditto and Curogna came down into the valley. Cugnasco then became a central place for all the nearby settlements.

Old Churches and Buildings

As Cugnasco grew, a special building for the Servite monks was built. This monastery closed in 1653. However, a chapel called Beata Vergine delle Grazie continued to be used. It was important for people living in the plain. Before this chapel, they had to travel to Tenero for church services.

This small church was built in the 15th century. It is now a very important heritage site. Inside, you can see beautiful frescoes from the 16th and 17th centuries. Many pilgrims from the area used to visit this church.

In 1635, the St. Joseph Church was built. It later became a main church for the area. The chapels in Ditto and Curogna are even older. They date back to the 14th and 15th centuries. These also have old frescoes.

Trade Routes and Economy

Cugnasco was once a busy place for trade. It was located where two important trade routes met. One route went from Locarno to Bellinzona. The other went from Cugnasco to Contone. This second route was near a river crossing called Porto sul Ticino.

After a bridge in Bellinzona collapsed in 1515, the route through Cugnasco became very important. It was almost the only way to cross the river. For a long time, Cugnasco's economy depended on farming and raising animals.

However, things have changed a lot. By the year 2000, only a small number of people worked in farming. Most people living in Cugnasco now travel to other towns for work.

Population Over Time

The table below shows how the number of people living in Cugnasco has changed over many years.

See also

In Spanish: Cugnasco para niños