Osogna facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Osogna
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Osogna village
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 Osogna
Location in Switzerland
Osogna
Location in Canton of Ticino
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| Country | Switzerland | |
| Canton | Ticino | |
| District | Riviera | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 18.99 km2 (7.33 sq mi) | |
| Elevation | 274 m (899 ft) | |
| Population
(December 2004)
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| • Total | 985 | |
| • Density | 51.87/km2 (134.34/sq mi) | |
| Postal code |
6703
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| Surrounded by | Lodrino, Arvigo (GR), Cauco (GR), Biasca, Iragna | |
Osogna is a lovely village in the canton of Ticino in Switzerland. It used to be its own municipality, which is like a local government area.
On April 2, 2017, Osogna joined with three other villages: Cresciano, Iragna, and Lodrino. Together, they formed a new, larger municipality called Riviera.
Contents
A Look at Osogna's Past
Osogna has a long history! It was first mentioned in old writings between 1210 and 1258, called Usonia.
People have found ancient Roman graves near a creek called Nala. This shows that people lived here a very long time ago.
Osogna in the Middle Ages
During the Middle Ages (a time from about 500 to 1500 AD), Osogna was controlled by the Milan Cathedral in Italy. This meant the church had both religious and political power here.
Later, in the 1300s, a powerful family called the Visconti ruled the area. Osogna, along with nearby villages like Claro and Cresciano, was governed by a special official. Osogna was given "town rights" in 1400, which meant it had certain freedoms and rules.
From 1573 to 1798, Osogna was an important place. It was where the local governor, called a Vogt, lived. It was also the main center for the valley's government. After 1798, it became the seat of the district government.
Churches and Community Life
The main church in Osogna is the parish church of SS Felino e Gratiniano. It was built before the 1200s and was later restored between 1979 and 1984.
There are two other churches in the village:
- The church of S. Pietà, built in the 1500s.
- The church of S. Maria del Castello, built in the 1700s.
The Catholics of Osogna belong to the "Parrocchia" (Parish). This community is centered around the parish church of Saints Gratiniano and Felino, which was built in 1498.
Old Traditions and Work
The "Patriziato" (Patriciate) of Osogna is a very old public group. It's even older than the municipality itself! The original citizens of Osogna belong to this group. It owns all the mountain forests and pastures. These lands were used for grazing cattle that moved seasonally.
Some of the oldest family names in Osogna are Guidi, Malaguerra, Mattei, and Pellanda.
Since the late 1800s, people have been digging for granite in Osogna. Granite is a strong type of rock. In the 1960s, factories and warehouses started to appear in the village. Many people from Osogna travel to work in bigger towns like Biasca and Bellinzona.
Osogna's Natural Surroundings
Osogna covers an area of about 18.99 square kilometers (about 7.3 square miles). A large part of this area, over 60%, is covered by forests. About 2% is used for farming, and 4.5% has buildings or roads. Rivers and lakes make up a small part, and about 30% is unproductive land, like rocky areas.
The village is located in the Riviera district, south of Biasca. It sits on the left bank of the Ticino river. Osogna is about 15 kilometers (9 miles) north of Bellinzona and 5 kilometers (3 miles) south of Biasca. The highest mountain nearby is the Torrone d'Orza, which stands at 2,952 meters (9,685 feet) tall.
The rocks in Osogna are mostly gneisses and granites. There used to be three quarries where these rocks were dug out. The area has many deciduous trees like beeches and chestnut trees up to about 900 meters (2,950 feet). Higher up, you'll find evergreen trees like spruces and larches. Chestnuts were once a very important food source for the people here.
Osogna's Coat of Arms
The blazon (description) of Osogna's municipal coat of arms is: Per fess gules and azure overall a fess wavy argent an in chief a cross pattee or. This means it has a red top and a blue bottom, with a wavy silver stripe across the middle, and a golden cross at the top.
Who Lives in Osogna?
Osogna has a population of about 1,040 people. Many people here speak Italian, which is the most common language. Some also speak Portuguese and German.
In 2008, about 52% of the population were male and 48% were female. About 36% of the people living in Osogna were foreign nationals.
Many people who live in Osogna were born there or in the same canton. Others were born elsewhere in Switzerland or in other countries.
The age groups in Osogna include children (0-9 years old), teenagers (10-19 years old), and adults of various ages. There are also many senior citizens.
Most households in Osogna have about 2.5 people. Some people live alone, while others live in families with children.
Many of the homes in Osogna are single-family houses. The village has a mix of older homes built before 1919 and newer ones built recently.
The chart below shows how Osogna's population has changed over many years:
Osogna's Economy and Jobs
In 2007, the unemployment rate in Osogna was about 4.59%. This means that a small number of people who wanted jobs couldn't find them.
The jobs in Osogna can be divided into three main types:
- Primary sector: This includes jobs like farming.
- Secondary sector: This involves making things, like in factories, or building things, like construction.
- Tertiary sector: This covers services, such as working in shops, restaurants, or schools.
Many people who live in Osogna travel to other towns for work. More people leave Osogna for work than come into Osogna for work. Most people use private cars to get to their jobs, while a smaller number use public transportation.
Religious Beliefs in Osogna
According to a census in 2000, most people in Osogna are Roman Catholic. A smaller number belong to the Swiss Reformed Church or other Christian churches. There are also people who are Islamic, and some who do not belong to any church.
Learning and Schools in Osogna
Education is important in Osogna. Many adults have finished high school, and some have gone on to college or university.
In 2009, there were 196 students in Osogna. The education system in Ticino offers:
- Kindergarten: Up to three years of non-required schooling for young children. In Osogna, 27 children were in kindergarten.
- Primary School: This program lasts for five years. There were 56 students in standard primary schools.
- Lower Secondary School: After primary school, students can go to a two-year middle school or a four-year program to prepare for higher education.
- Upper Secondary School: This level prepares students for a trade or for university. Some students attend school while doing an internship or apprenticeship.
Some students from Osogna also attend schools in other towns.
See also
In Spanish: Osogna para niños
