Melano facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Melano
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Melano village train station
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 Melano
Location in Switzerland
Melano
Location in Canton of Ticino
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| Country | Switzerland | |
| Canton | Ticino | |
| District | Lugano | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 4.64 km2 (1.79 sq mi) | |
| Elevation | 294 m (965 ft) | |
| Population
(December 2004)
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| • Total | 1,172 | |
| • Density | 252.6/km2 (654.2/sq mi) | |
| Postal code |
6818
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| Surrounded by | Capolago, Castel San Pietro, Maroggia, Mendrisio, Riva San Vitale, Rovio | |
Melano was once a town in the Lugano area of Ticino, a canton in Switzerland. On April 10, 2022, Melano joined with the towns of Maroggia and Rovio. Together, they formed a new town called Val Mara.
Contents
A Look Back in Time
Ancient Discoveries and Early Mentions
Long ago, an ancient Roman burial ground was found in Melano. This shows that people lived here even thousands of years ago! The modern village of Melano was first written about in the year 799. Back then, it was called Mellani. Later, in 1192, its name was recorded as Melano.
In 847, a powerful abbey (a type of monastery) from Milan called Sant'Ambrogio owned land in Melano. During the Middle Ages, the city of Como controlled Melano's port. This port was very important for battles during wars against Milan in the early 12th century.
Walls and Churches
In the late Middle Ages, a wall stood between Melano and Capolago. This wall stretched from Monte Generoso down to the lake. In 1798, Melano was part of a short-lived republic called Riva San Vitale.
Melano was part of the Riva San Vitale church area until 1591. Then, it became its own independent church parish. The main church, St. Andrew, was built in the 15th century. It was rebuilt in 1846-50 and fixed up again in 1992–94.
The Sanctuary of the Madonna del Castelletto was built between 1634 and 1637. It was built on top of an older building from the 14th century. This sanctuary was restored in 1985-87. It is now one of the most popular places for religious visits in Ticino.
Work and Economy Through the Years
For a long time, people in Melano earned money from farming, raising animals, and working in forests. Many people also traveled to other places for seasonal work. In 1840, Giovanni Battista Fogliardi opened one of the first factories in Ticino that made silk. Today, much of Melano's economy comes from tourism. People visit to enjoy the beautiful area.
Where is Melano?
Melano is located in the Lugano area. It sits on the eastern shore of Lake Lugano, right at the foot of a mountain called Monte Generoso.
About 4% of Melano's land is used for farming. A large part, about 73.9%, is covered by forests. Buildings and roads take up 16.3% of the land. The remaining 5.7% is land that cannot be used for anything.
Melano's Coat of Arms
The coat of arms for Melano shows a red background. On it, there is a golden hazel dormouse (a small rodent). Above the dormouse, there's a silver top part shaped like castle battlements. At the bottom, there are three wavy blue lines on a silver background.
People and Languages
Who Lives in Melano?
As of 2008, about 23% of the people living in Melano were from other countries. Over ten years, from 1997 to 2007, the number of people living in Melano grew by 18.2%.
In 2008, there were slightly more men (50.7%) than women (49.3%) in Melano. The population included Swiss men and women, as well as non-Swiss men and women.
Languages Spoken
Most people in Melano speak Italian. In 2000, about 84.9% of the population spoke Italian. The second most common language was German, spoken by 8.1% of the people. A smaller number of people, 1.5%, spoke Spanish.
Population Changes Over Time
The chart below shows how Melano's population has changed throughout history. You can see how the number of people living there has grown and shrunk over the years.
Important Heritage Sites
The Della Madonna Del Castelletto Church is a very important historical site in Switzerland. It is listed as a heritage site of national significance. This means it's a special place that needs to be protected. The entire village of Melano is also part of the Inventory of Swiss Heritage Sites.
How People Earn a Living
In 2007, the unemployment rate in Melano was 2.57%. This means only a small number of people who wanted jobs didn't have one.
In 2005, a few people worked in farming and related businesses. More people worked in manufacturing and construction. The largest number of people worked in the service industry, which includes things like tourism, shops, and offices.
Many people who live in Melano travel to other towns for work. Also, some people come into Melano from other places to work. In 2000, about 6.7% of workers used public transportation to get to work, while 68.4% used a private car.
Religion in Melano
According to a survey in 2000, most people in Melano were Roman Catholic, about 82.1%. About 5.0% belonged to the Swiss Reformed Church. A small number of people belonged to other churches or did not state their religion.
Learning in Melano
Education Levels
In Melano, about 72% of adults aged 25–64 have finished high school or gone on to higher education. This could be a university or a special college.
Schools in Melano
As of 2009, there were 216 students in Melano. The education system in Ticino offers up to three years of optional kindergarten. In Melano, 38 children were in kindergarten.
The primary school program lasts for five years. In Melano, 66 students attended regular primary schools, and one student attended a special school.
For middle school, students can choose different paths. Some go to a two-year middle school and then a two-year program to prepare for a job. Others go to a four-year program to get ready for higher education. In Melano, 54 students were in the two-year middle school, and 16 were in the four-year advanced program.
High school prepares students for a trade or for university. Some students go to school while also doing an internship or apprenticeship. Others go to school full-time and then do an internship. In Melano, 13 students were full-time vocational students, and 26 were part-time. There were also 2 students in a professional program that prepares them for jobs in fields like engineering or nursing.
In 2000, only one student came to Melano from another town for school. However, 191 students from Melano went to schools outside the town.
Getting Around
Melano has a train station called Maroggia-Melano station. It is located right on the border with the nearby town of Maroggia. This station is part of the important Gotthard railway line.
See also
In Spanish: Melano para niños
