Why visit the historic town centre?
The heart of the town of Mendrisio has managed to “age gracefully” and retain all its ancient charm. Strolling through its streets is like going on a journey through the centuries: the grand residences, churches, alleyways, and gates reveal an extraordinary historical stratification from the Middle Ages to the present day, showing different architectural styles. But there is more than just architecture to appreciate: the town churches are also embellished with works and paintings by local and Lombard masters. The Mendrisio Art Museum features exhibitions dedicated to the great masters of the twentieth century and the international scene. These alternate with exhibitions on themes and figures related to the region, delving into chapters of local history and showcasing contemporary artists. Don’t forget to look for ancient houses with elegant gateways that give glimpses into beautiful courtyards along the town streets.
The Mendrisio of yesteryear
With its houses crowded close together and narrow streets, the historic town centre is the very image of what the town looked like until the end of the nineteenth century. Mendrisio, once well enclosed within its walls and surrounded by the countryside, has had a long list of rulers over the centuries: the Romans, the Lombards, the Comaschi, and the Milanese. In 1522, it finally passed to the Swiss, who ruled it as a bailiwick until 1798, setting up their representative there, the landfogto or bailiff, and transforming it into a lively capital, animated by various economic activities such as papermaking.
The Mendrisio of today
Mendrisio has never stood still and has continued to develop over the years, taking on a leading role in the region. Its strong industrial sector dates back to the nineteenth century, when printing works, foundries, and, above all, silk spinning mills flourished in the town, employing hundreds of people. In the twentieth century, the factories moved further downstream, near the railway inaugurated in 1874 and the motorway opened in 1966. As in the past, Mendrisio still offers a wide range of options for shopaholics: the historic town centre is home to numerous traditional shops and the large Foxtown shopping centre has been open on the San Martino plain since 1995.
The ancient wine cellars of Mendrisio
With the characteristic buildings crowded together to form small lined-up clusters, the wine cellars of Mendrisio are a precious manifestation of the rural tradition related to the needs of viticulture. Built in the shadow of Monte Generoso to take advantage of the cold air currents coming from the fissures in the ground, they have offered the perfect environment for storing cheeses and wines for centuries. It is said that in the nineteenth century, there were as many wine cellars as there were houses in the town. Today, this is no longer the case, but a visit to the cellars can be a pleasant moment in an atmosphere steeped in history and an opportunity to get to know the regional food and wine specialities.
Meet Morsetta
Hi,
I’m Morsetta, the young explorer of the Region to be discovered. Play with me to discover some interesting things about Mendrisio…
There are many reasons to visit Mendrisio, one of them being the historical and cultural importance of the town centre.
The history of the old town is captivating and intriguing!
