Campione d'Italia is an Italian territory in the province of Como, completely surrounded by Switzerland and more precisely by Canton Ticino, on the eastern shore of lake of Lugano, located between Bissone and Claino con Osteno. The origin of its Italian character dates back to a donation of a Lombard gentleman, called Totone, which he made to the basilica of Sant'Ambrogio in 777. When Switzerland in 1512 obtained Ticino, also incorporating Campione, the abbot of Sant'Ambrogio succeeded to maintain autonomy: several times over the centuries the Swiss tried to claim possession without ever succeeding. Among the peculiarities, in the town the cars have Ticino plates, wages are paid in Swiss francs, VAT is Swiss, the police as well as the stamps are Italian. You can visit its famous Casinò, San Zenone's Church, rebuilt in the fourteenth century and deconsecrated since 1967, currently used as a gallery for the display of art exhibitions; the new parish church of San Zenone, a monumental modern building; San Pietro's Oratory Church and the Sanctuary of Santa Maria dei Ghirli, a pilgrimage destination, on a terrace directly reachable from the lake via a monumental double staircase with four flights.

Town hall

Tourist office information