Pianezzo facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Pianezzo
Former municipality of Switzerland
Coat of arms
Pianezzo Location in Switzerland Show map of Switzerland Pianezzo Location in Canton of Ticino Show map of Canton of Ticino
Country	Switzerland
Canton	Ticino
District	Bellinzona
Area
• Total	8.02 km2 (3.10 sq mi)
Elevation	491 m (1,611 ft)
Population  (December 2004)
• Total	512
• Density	63.84/km2 (165.35/sq mi)
Postal code	6582
Surrounded by	Bellinzona, Cadenazzo, Camorino, Giubiasco, Isone, Medeglia, Sant'Antonio

Pianezzo was once a small town, or "municipality," located in the Bellinzona district within the canton of Ticino in Switzerland. It was known for its quiet charm and beautiful surroundings.

However, on April 2, 2017, Pianezzo, along with several other nearby towns like Camorino, Giubiasco, and Sementina, joined together to become part of the larger municipality of Bellinzona. So, while Pianezzo still exists as a place, it's now part of a bigger community.

History of Pianezzo

A Glimpse into the Past

An aerial view of Pianezzo from 1953.

Long ago, in 1905, an important burial ground from the Iron Age was discovered in Pianezzo. This site seems to belong to the Golasecca culture, an ancient group of people who lived in this region.

The items found in these graves show that the people of Pianezzo traded and connected with others living in the nearby Alps. East of the town, you can also find some medieval ruins. These ruins might have been built on the site of an old Roman customs post or even an even older settlement.

How Pianezzo Became a Town

Pianezzo was first mentioned in official records in 1382, called Planezio. In the 1400s, a church in Bellinzona owned vineyards and farms in Pianezzo.

During the Middle Ages, parts of the village were part of a larger community called Vallemorobbia. In 1803, this community became a political municipality. Then, in 1831, it split into three independent towns: Pianezzo, Sant'Antonio, and Vallemorobbia in Piano.

The Village Church

The local church in Pianezzo was connected to the main church in Bellinzona until about 1600. A new church was built in the 1500s on the remains of an even older one. It has been updated several times since then. In 1680, Pianezzo became its own independent parish, meaning it had its own church leader.

Old Buildings and Economy

Some of the old buildings in the village are "tower houses." These are tall, strong houses that show how homes were built in the Valle Morobbia area a long time ago.

For many years, the people of Pianezzo mostly worked in farming and raising animals. Even today, some people still tend to vineyards as a side job. Many people also have vacation homes here. In recent times, most workers from Pianezzo travel to bigger towns like Bellinzona and Giubiasco for their jobs.

Geography of Pianezzo

Where is Pianezzo?

Pianezzo covers an area of about 8.02 square kilometers (about 3.1 square miles). A small part of this land, about 5.6%, is used for farming. Most of the area, nearly 90%, is covered by forests.

About 4% of the land is settled with buildings and roads. A small amount is rivers or lakes. The rest, about 2.1%, is land that isn't used for farming or building, like rocky areas.

Natural Features

Most of the forested land is dense forest. Some areas also have orchards or small groups of trees. For farming, some land is used for growing crops, and some for pastures where animals graze. All the water in Pianezzo comes from flowing rivers and streams.

Pianezzo is located in the Bellinzona district, right at the entrance to the Valle Morobbia valley. It includes the main village of Pianezzo and a smaller settlement called Paudo.

Pianezzo's Coat of Arms

The blazon (description) of Pianezzo's municipal coat of arms is quite interesting. It shows a black cup on a gold background, with a green mountain on a red background.

The cup on the coat of arms might represent a glass or cup from the Iron Age. This symbol is a nod to the ancient burial ground found in Pianezzo, which dates back to that very old time period.

Population and People

Who Lives in Pianezzo?

As of 2008, Pianezzo had a population of 561 people. About 7.6% of these residents were from other countries. Over ten years, from 1997 to 2007, the population grew by about 23.3%.

Most people in Pianezzo speak Italian, which is 87.9% of the population. The second most common language is German (8.0%), followed by French (2.0%).

Age Groups

In 2009, the population of Pianezzo included:

• 55 children (0-9 years old)
• 50 teenagers (10-19 years old)
• 46 young adults (20-29 years old)
• 76 adults (30-39 years old)
• 99 adults (40-49 years old)
• 88 adults (50-59 years old)
• 74 seniors (60-69 years old)
• 47 seniors (70-79 years old)
• 26 people over 80 years old

Homes in Pianezzo

In 2000, there were 220 private households in Pianezzo, with an average of 2.2 people living in each home. Most of the buildings were single-family homes. Many apartments in Pianezzo are used seasonally, meaning people live there for part of the year, perhaps as vacation homes.

Population Changes Over Time

Here's how Pianezzo's population has changed through history:

Economy and Work

Jobs in Pianezzo

In 2007, the unemployment rate in Pianezzo was 4.28%. In 2005, a few people worked in the primary economic sector, which includes farming. A small number worked in the secondary sector, like manufacturing. The largest number of people, 30, worked in the tertiary sector, which includes services.

Many people who live in Pianezzo travel to other towns for work. In 2000, 172 people commuted out of Pianezzo for their jobs, while only 17 came into the town to work. Most people (68.7%) used a private car to get to work, while 10.4% used public transportation.

Religion in Pianezzo

Based on the 2000 census, most people in Pianezzo, about 78.3%, were Roman Catholic. A smaller group, about 3.5%, belonged to the Swiss Reformed Church. Some people belonged to other churches, and a few did not state their religion.

Education in Pianezzo

Schooling for All Ages

In Pianezzo, about 74.9% of adults (aged 25–64) have completed either high school or even higher education, like university.

As of 2009, there were 89 students in Pianezzo. The education system in Ticino offers up to three years of optional kindergarten. In Pianezzo, 15 children were in kindergarten.

Primary and Secondary School

The primary school program lasts for five years. In Pianezzo, 30 students attended standard primary schools.

For middle school, students can choose between a two-year program followed by a two-year pre-apprenticeship, or a four-year program to prepare for university. In Pianezzo, 17 students were in the two-year middle school program, and 13 were in the four-year advanced program.

Higher Education and Vocational Training

After middle school, students can enter various programs to prepare for a trade or to go to university. Some students attend school while also doing an internship or apprenticeship. In Pianezzo, 5 students were full-time vocational students, and 7 were part-time.

There is also a professional program that lasts three years, preparing students for jobs in fields like engineering, nursing, or business. In Pianezzo, 2 students were in this program.

In 2000, 19 students came to Pianezzo from other towns for school, while 39 students from Pianezzo attended schools outside the municipality.

See also

In Spanish: Pianezzo para niños