Cureglia facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Cureglia
Coat of arms
Cureglia Location in Switzerland Show map of Switzerland Cureglia Location in Canton of Ticino Show map of Canton of Ticino
Country	Switzerland
Canton	Ticino
District	Lugano
Area
• Total	1.06 km2 (0.41 sq mi)
Elevation	435 m (1,427 ft)
Population  (Dec 2020 )
• Total	1,434
• Density	1,353/km2 (3,504/sq mi)
Postal code	6944
Surrounded by	Cadempino, Comano, Lamone, Origlio, Porza, Vezia

Cureglia is a small town, also called a municipality, located in the Lugano area of Ticino, a canton (like a state) in Switzerland. It's a charming place with a rich history.

History of Cureglia

Cureglia was first mentioned in old documents in 1335. Back then, it was known as Curea or Curilia.

How Cureglia Became Independent

In 1468, a nearby village called Comano, which was part of Cureglia, decided to become separate from the main church area of Lugano. Later, in 1594, Cureglia itself became its own independent church area. The main church, S. Cristoforo, was first mentioned in 1420. It was completely rebuilt in the 1800s. Another small church, the Chapel of S. Maria del Buon Consiglio, was built in the 1700s.

Life in Old Cureglia

For a long time, most people in Cureglia worked in farming. They mainly grew grapes for wine and made cheese. However, some skilled families, like the Caresana and Rinaldi, left Cureglia in the 1500s and 1600s. They went to other European countries to find work. When they became successful, many of them returned to Cureglia. They built large, beautiful homes that you can still see in the village today.

Cureglia's Growth

Over time, the area around Lugano became more developed. Also, television studios were built in nearby Comano. These changes helped Cureglia grow quickly. From 1950 to 2000, the number of people living in Cureglia quadrupled! New houses were built outside the old village center to make space for everyone.

Geography of Cureglia

An aerial view of Cureglia from 1964.

Cureglia covers an area of about 1.06 square kilometers (0.41 square miles). To help you imagine it, that's a bit smaller than a typical city park.

How the Land is Used

• Farmland: About 46.2% of Cureglia's land is used for farming. This includes fields for growing crops and pastures where animals might graze.
• Forests: Around 45.3% of the area is covered by forests. Some parts are dense forests, while others have smaller groups of trees.
• Buildings and Roads: The remaining 45.3% of the land is developed. This includes houses, other buildings, and roads. About 34.9% is for homes and buildings, and 4.7% is for transportation like roads. There are also some parks and sports fields.

Location Details

Cureglia is located in the Lugano district. It sits on a "watershed," which is a high point of land that separates different river systems. Here, it separates the Val Vedeggio and Valle del Cassarate valleys.

Cureglia's Coat of Arms

The coat of arms for Cureglia is quite simple and striking. It shows a black hat with a red feather on a gold background. This design is called Or a hatsable with a feather gules in the language of heraldry (the study of coats of arms).

People of Cureglia (Demographics)

Cureglia has a population of about 1,290 people. This number can change a little each year.

Languages Spoken

Most people in Cureglia speak Italian, which is the main language in the Ticino canton. About 87.8% of the population speaks Italian. The next most common language is German (7.7%), followed by French (2.1%).

Age Groups

The population of Cureglia includes people of all ages:

• About 10.7% are children aged 0-9 years old.
• About 10.8% are teenagers aged 10-19 years old.
• Adults aged 20-59 make up a larger portion of the population.
• About 23.5% of the population are seniors, aged 60 and older.

Homes and Households

In 2000, there were 497 private homes in Cureglia, with an average of 2.5 people living in each home. Most of the buildings (about 66.6%) were single-family homes. There were also some buildings with two families or multiple families living in them. Most of the apartments in Cureglia are permanently occupied.

Population Changes Over Time

The number of people living in Cureglia has changed a lot over the centuries.

Economy of Cureglia

In 2007, Cureglia had a low unemployment rate of 2.29%, meaning most people who wanted to work had jobs.

Types of Jobs

Jobs are often grouped into three main types:

• Primary Sector: This involves getting raw materials from nature, like farming or forestry. In Cureglia, a few people worked in this area.
• Secondary Sector: This is about making things, like in factories or construction. A small number of people in Cureglia worked in this sector.
• Tertiary Sector: This involves providing services, like working in shops, offices, or healthcare. Most people in Cureglia worked in this sector.

Commuting to Work

Many people who live in Cureglia travel to other towns for work. In 2000, about 479 people left Cureglia to work elsewhere, while 181 people came into Cureglia for their jobs. This means more people leave Cureglia for work than come in. Most people (71.7%) used a private car to get to work, while a smaller number (5.7%) used public transportation.

Religion in Cureglia

According to the 2000 census, most people in Cureglia are Roman Catholic (81.5%). A smaller group (7.7%) belongs to the Swiss Reformed Church. Some people belong to other churches, and a few did not state their religion.

Education in Cureglia

Switzerland is known for its good education system, and Cureglia is no exception. Many adults (83.7%) have completed high school or gone on to higher education like university.

School System in Ticino

The Ticino canton, where Cureglia is located, has a specific school system:

• Kindergarten: Children can attend up to three years of non-mandatory kindergarten. In 2009, 43 children in Cureglia were in kindergarten.
• Primary School: This program lasts for five years. In Cureglia, 62 students attended standard primary schools.
• Lower Secondary School: After primary school, students can choose different paths. Some go to a two-year middle school, followed by a two-year program to prepare for a job. Others attend a four-year program to get ready for higher education.
• Upper Secondary School: This level prepares students for a trade or for university. Students can do apprenticeships (learning a job while working) or study full-time.
• Professional Programs: These programs last three years and prepare students for specific careers like engineering or nursing.

Most students from Cureglia attend schools within the municipality, but some travel to schools outside Cureglia.

See also

In Spanish: Cureglia para niños