Melide, Switzerland Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids

Melide

Melide causeway

Coat of arms

Melide

Location in Switzerland

Melide

Location in Canton of Ticino

Switzerland

Area

• Total

1.68 km² (0.65 sq mi)

Elevation

279 m (915 ft)

Population

(Dec 2020 )

• Total

1,830

• Density

1,089/km² (2,821/sq mi)

Postal code

6815

Surrounded by

Bissone, Brusino Arsizio, Campione d'Italia (IT-CO), Lugano

Melide is a lovely town in Switzerland, located in the Ticino region. It's part of the Lugano district. Melide sits right by the beautiful Lake of Lugano and close to Monte San Salvatore mountain.

One of the most famous things about Melide is the Melide causeway. This special road was built across the lake. It connects Melide to Bissone and helps cars travel north and south through Switzerland. Melide is also home to Swissminiatur, a fun park where you can see tiny models of famous Swiss buildings and landmarks.

History of Melide
Geography of Melide
Melide's Coat of Arms
Population and Languages
- Population Changes Over Time
Economy and Jobs
Religion in Melide
Education in Melide
- Schools for Kids
- Higher Education and Training
Transportation
Famous People from Melide
Images for kids
See also

History of Melide

Melide was first mentioned in old documents in the year 1034. Back then, it was called Melede. The town was first controlled by a city called Como. Later, in the 1400s, it became part of Milan. When it belonged to Milan, Melide had to provide five soldiers for the Duke of Milan's army.

In 1482, Melide became a place where people had to pay a toll or customs fee. This meant that goods passing through the town were taxed.

Becoming an Independent Parish

Melide was originally part of a larger church area called a parish in Lugano. Then, it became part of the Carona parish. In 1525, Melide finally became its own independent parish.

The main church in Melide is called SS Quirico e Giulitta. Digs in the early 1990s showed that this church was built in stages. It started as early as the 500s or 600s! The church was rebuilt in 1590 by a famous architect named Domenico Fontana.

Life and Work in Old Melide

In 1555, the Swiss Confederation gave Melide, Bissone, and Morcote a special right. They were the only ones allowed to sell fish in Lugano. Fishing was a big part of life, along with farming and growing grapes.

Many people from Melide also traveled to other places to work. They were often skilled builders and artists, like the Fontana and Castelli families.

The Melide Causeway and Modern Times

In 1818, a main road was built, which helped Melide grow. A ferry service started in 1819, making travel easier. But the biggest change was the Melide causeway, built between 1844 and 1847. This long structure, about 817 meters (2,680 feet) long, made it much easier to cross the lake.

Later, a train line was added to the causeway in 1874. In the 1960s, a highway was also built on it. These connections helped Melide become an important place for travel and trade.

In the 1700s, businesses that made lime opened in Melide. In the 1800s, other factories started, making things like tobacco, alcohol, bells, and soap. Tourism also began to grow in the 1800s and is still very important today. In 1959, the popular Swissminiatur park opened, attracting many visitors.

Geography of Melide

Melide covers an area of about 1.67 square kilometers (0.64 square miles). A small part of this land, about 13.2%, is used for farming. Most of the area, 62.9%, is covered by forests.

About 34.1% of Melide is built up with buildings and roads. A very small part (0.6%) is rivers or lakes. The rest is land that isn't used for anything.

The town is located on the western side of Lake Lugano. It sits right at the end of the Melide dam, which is part of the causeway. Since 1863, a small part of Capo San Martino has also been included in Melide.

Melide's Coat of Arms

The official symbol, or coat of arms, for Melide is quite simple. It shows a golden anchor with a rope on a blue background.

Population and Languages

Melide has a population of about 1,700 people. Many people from other countries live here too.

Most people in Melide speak Italian, which is the main language (about 79.5%). The second most common language is German (about 12.1%). A smaller number of people speak Portuguese (about 1.9%).

Population Changes Over Time

The number of people living in Melide has changed a lot over the years. You can see how the population has grown in the chart below:

Economy and Jobs

Melide has a mix of jobs. A small number of people work in farming. More people work in the secondary sector, which includes things like manufacturing. The largest number of people work in the tertiary sector. This includes jobs in services, like shops, restaurants, and hotels.

Tourism is a big part of Melide's economy. In 2009, there were four hotels in the town. Many people also travel to Melide for work, and others leave Melide to work in nearby towns.

Religion in Melide

Most people in Melide are Roman Catholic, making up about 77.7% of the population. About 9.7% of the people belong to the Swiss Reformed Church. Some people belong to other churches, and a small number did not state their religion.

Education in Melide

In Melide, many adults (between 25 and 64 years old) have completed more than just basic schooling. They might have finished high school or gone on to college or a special technical school.

Schools for Kids

In 2009, there were 220 students in Melide. The education system in Ticino, where Melide is, offers up to three years of optional kindergarten. In Melide, 47 children were in kindergarten.

Primary school lasts for five years. In Melide, 66 students attended regular primary schools. After primary school, students go to lower secondary school. This can be a two-year middle school or a four-year program to prepare for higher education.

Higher Education and Training

After lower secondary, students can choose different paths for upper secondary school. Some go to vocational schools to learn a trade. Others prepare for university. There are also professional programs that train students for jobs in fields like engineering or nursing.

Many students from Melide attend schools outside the town. Also, some students from other towns come to Melide for school.

Transportation

Melide has its own train station, called Melide railway station. This station is on the important Gotthard railway line, which connects different parts of Switzerland.

Famous People from Melide

Giovanni Fontana (1540–1614) - He was a skilled architect and engineer.
Domenico Fontana (1543–1607) - A very famous architect who worked for the Pope. He helped build St. Peter's Basilica and moved the large Obelisk in Saint Peter's Square in Rome.