Lugano is a city and municipality within the Lugano District in the canton of Ticino, Switzerland. It is the largest city in both Ticino and the Italian-speaking region of southern Switzerland. Lugano has a population of 62,315, and an urban agglomeration of over 150,000. It is the ninth largest Swiss city.
The bay of Lugano at sunset
Fresco by Bernardino Luini, 1529
The 15th century Cathedral of San Lorenzo is now the seat of the Diocese of Lugano
Interior of Lugano Cathedral, built in the 15th century
Ticino, sometimes Tessin, officially the Republic and Canton of Ticino or less formally the Canton of Ticino, is one of the 26 cantons forming the Swiss Confederation. It is composed of eight districts and its capital city is Bellinzona. It is also traditionally divided into the Sopraceneri and the Sottoceneri, respectively north and south of Monte Ceneri. Red and blue are the colours of its flag.
The Castles of Bellinzona, guarding the access to the Gotthard and other Alpine passes since the Roman Era
Ticinese franco, currency of Ticino until the introduction of the Swiss franc in 1850.
The Verzasca Valley (here near Lavertezzo) is the most central valley of Ticino
High Alpine landscape on Pizzo Campo Tencia
