Vacallo in Ticino: Vignalonga, History and Sports
Accommodation in Vacallo
Vacallo in Ticino combines a distinctive local history with viticulture, paths and an annual municipal event. Its location on the border with Italy, religious buildings and a varied range of sports give the town a diverse character.
Location and Present Day
Vacallo is a municipality in the canton of Ticino and the Mendrisio District in Switzerland, on the border with Italy. Today, Vacallo is a purely residential community in the greater Chiasso metropolitan area.
Buses connect Vacallo with Chiasso and the surrounding region every day; there are several connections.
As a residential community, Vacallo is shaped by its current surroundings in the greater Chiasso area while also preserving traces of its former agricultural and craft-based development. Its border with Italy is just as much part of its geographical setting as its connection to the Mendrisio District.
History and Religious Buildings
In 1573, Vacallo separated from the Pieve di Balerna and established its own independent parish. The church dedicated to Santi Simone e Giuda Taddeo was originally dedicated to Santi Simone e Fedele.
Vacallo's religious buildings include the parish church of Santi Simone e Giuda Taddeo and the Church of Santa Croce. The parish church's current dedication thus stands alongside its original consecration, making the changes in the town's religious history visible through the buildings and their names.
Agriculture and Crafts
Vacallo was historically shaped by agriculture; viticulture, tobacco cultivation and the use of mulberry trees played an important role. In earlier times, masonry and plastering were also highly significant trades in Vacallo.
Many sought-after young craftsmen from Vacallo emigrated to work in other Swiss cantons.
Vignalonga and Paths
The municipality of Vacallo organizes Vignalonga every year. The 11th edition was a culinary walk through Vacallo's vineyards and paths. At 14 stations, participants could sample local dishes and wines from the region.
The event therefore combines movement through the vineyards and along the paths with several stations focusing on regional food and wine.
Another route follows the 10.9 km hike “Da Mendrisio attraverso le Gole della Breggia” to its end at the Piazza in Vacallo.
Swimming Facility and Sports Infrastructure
The municipal swimming facility of Chiasso is located within the municipality of Vacallo. It comprises four pools and a leisure area with football, beach volleyball, chess and games for children.
The sports facility is illuminated for evening activities. The sports infrastructure in Vacallo includes athletics, sports activities for people with disabilities and for people with paraplegia, football and small-sided football, gymnastics, indiaca, basketball, handball, volleyball and floorball.
Other Places
More local pages: Stabio, Capolago, Castel San Pietro, Riva San Vitale, Muggio, Chiasso, Balerna, Meride.
For the higher-level travel overview: Mendrisio.
