Giornico facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Giornico
Giornico village
Coat of arms
Giornico Location in Switzerland Show map of Switzerland Giornico Location in Canton of Ticino Show map of Canton of Ticino
Country	Switzerland
Canton	Ticino
District	Leventina
Area
• Total	19.52 km2 (7.54 sq mi)
Elevation	391 m (1,283 ft)
Population  (Dec 2020 )
• Total	806
• Density	41.29/km2 (106.94/sq mi)
Postal code	6745
Surrounded by	Anzonico, Bodio, Cavagnago, Chironico, Frasco, Personico, Sobrio

Giornico is a small town, also called a municipality, in the Ticino area of Switzerland. It's located in the Leventina district, right along the Ticino River. Giornico is known for its beautiful old buildings and its interesting history.

History of Giornico

Giornico was first mentioned in old writings around the years 935-94. Later, it was called Iornico in 1202. It was also known by the German names Yrnis or Girnis a long time ago.

The Battle of Giornico

The battle of Giornico

A very important event happened here on December 28, 1478. This was the Battle of Giornico. A small group of about 600 Swiss soldiers bravely fought against a much larger army of 10,000 troops from Milan. Amazingly, the Swiss soldiers won this battle! It was a big victory for them.

Geography and Nature

Viaduct over Biaschina gorge

Giornico covers an area of about 19.48 square kilometers (about 7.5 square miles). A large part of this area, more than half, is covered by forests. There are also some areas used for farming.

Land Use in Giornico

About 5.2% of the land in Giornico is used for farming, like growing crops or for pastures where animals graze. Forests cover a big part, about 60.9% of the area. About 7.3% of the land has buildings or roads. There are also rivers and lakes, making up about 2.1% of the area. The rest of the land, about 26.1%, is unproductive, meaning it's too rocky or has vegetation that isn't useful for farming.

Aerial view (1964)

Giornico's Coat of Arms

A coat of arms is a special symbol for a town or family. Giornico's coat of arms has two main colors: gold (yellow) on the top and red on the bottom. On top of these colors, there are three stars. One star is at the top, and two stars are below it. The colors of the stars are swapped depending on the background color.

People and Population

Giornico has a population of about 943 people. Most people in Giornico speak Italian, which is the main language. Some people also speak Portuguese or German.

Population Changes Over Time

The number of people living in Giornico has changed a lot over the years. Here's a quick look:

You can see that the population has gone up and down quite a bit through history!

Important Historic Sites

Church of S. Nicolao

Giornico has several important historical places. These are recognized as heritage sites of national significance in Switzerland.

Famous Buildings and Ruins

• The Caslasc ruins are old remains of buildings.
• The Churches of S. Maria del Castello, S. Nicolao, and S. Pellegrino are beautiful old churches.
• The Torre di Attone is an old tower.

Interior of the Church of S. Nicolao

The whole village of Giornico is also part of the Inventory of Swiss Heritage Sites. This means the entire village is considered important for its history and culture.

Economy and Jobs

In Giornico, people work in different types of jobs.

• The primary economic sector involves jobs like farming and forestry.
• The secondary sector includes jobs in manufacturing and construction.
• The tertiary sector covers jobs in services, like shops, offices, and tourism.

Many people who live in Giornico travel to other towns for work. Also, some people come into Giornico from other places to work here.

Religion in Giornico

Most people in Giornico are Roman Catholic. A smaller number of people belong to the Swiss Reformed Church or other churches.

Education and Schools

Switzerland has a very good education system. In Giornico, many adults have completed higher education, like going to university or a special college.

Schools in Giornico

The education system in Ticino, where Giornico is located, includes:

• Kindergarten: Children can go to kindergarten for up to three years before primary school.
• Primary School: This program lasts for five years.
• Lower Secondary School: After primary school, students can choose different paths. Some go to a two-year middle school, while others go to a four-year program to prepare for higher education.
• Upper Secondary School: This prepares students for a trade job or for university. Students might do an internship or apprenticeship while studying.
• Professional Program: This program lasts three years and prepares students for jobs in fields like engineering or nursing.

Many students from other towns come to Giornico for school, and some students from Giornico go to schools outside the municipality.

See also

In Spanish: Giornico para niños