Ticino

History

In the Middle Ages the area of what is today Ticino was ruled by the Dukes of Milan. In the 15th century the Swiss Confederates conquered the valleys south of the Alps in three separate conquests.

Related Topics:
Middle Ages - Milan - 15th century - Swiss

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The Canton of Uri conquered the Leventina Valley in 1440. Between 1403 and 1422 some of these lands were already annexed by forces from Uri, but subsequently lost. In a second conquest Uri, Schwyz and Nidwalden gained the town of Bellinzona and the Riviera in 1500. Some of the land and the town Bellinzona itself were previously annexed by Uri in 1419 but lost again in 1422. The third conquest was fought by troops from the entire confederation. In 1512 Locarno, the Maggia Valley, Lugano and Mendrisio were annexed. Subsequently, the upper valley of the Ticino River, from the St. Gotthard to the town of Biasca (Leventina Valley) was part of Canton Uri. The remaining territory (Baliaggi Ultramontani, Ennetbergische Vogteien, the Bailiwicks Beyond the Mountains) was administered by all cantons.

Related Topics:
Canton of Uri - Leventina Valley - 1440 - 1403 - 1422 - Schwyz - Nidwalden - Bellinzona - 1500 - 1419 - 1512 - Locarno - Maggia Valley - Lugano - Mendrisio - Ticino River - St. Gotthard

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The lands of the canton of Ticino are the first lands to be conquered by the Swiss Confederation. During the Helvetic Republic the districts of Bellinzona and Lugano were separate cantons, but in 1803 the two were unified to form the canton of Ticino that joined the Swiss Confederation as a full member in the same year.

Related Topics:
Helvetic Republic - 1803

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Until 1878 the three largest cities, Bellinzona, Lugano and Locarno, alternated as capital of the canton. In 1878, however, Bellinzona became the only and permanent capital.

Related Topics:
1878

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The constitution dates from 1830, but was since modified considerably.

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