Campione d’Italia is an outpost of Italy entirely surrounded by Switzerland. The town is a geographic rarity known as an enclave – a territory completely surrounded by another territory. It’s also an exclave, a closely related term describing a portion of a territory separated from its main part by another territory. While it’s less than a mile hike to the Italian border through the wooded hillside above town, it’s a 40-minute drive to Como, the Italian region’s governmental centre. The history of Campione d’Italia dates back centuries, with evidence of human settlement in the area dating to Roman times. Over the centuries, Campione changed hands multiple times between various Italian city-states and foreign powers, including the Duchy of Milan, the Swiss Confederacy, and the Kingdom of Italy. In 1918, following the end of World War I, Campione officially became part of the Italian Republic as an exclave, surrounded entirely by Swiss territory. This unique geopolitical status has contributed to Campione’s distinct identity and cultural heritage, blending Italian and Swiss influences in its architecture, cuisine, and way of life. One of Campione’s most iconic landmarks is the imposing Casino Municipale di Campione d’Italia, a lavish casino complex that has been a symbol of the town’s prosperity and glamour since its opening in 1917. The casino, situated on the shores of Lake Lugano, attracts visitors from across Europe with its opulent décor, world-class gaming facilities, and stunning lake views.
Campione d’Italia
