Campione d'Italia, Italian enclave in Province of Como, Italy
Campione d'Italia is an Italian commune completely surrounded by Switzerland, located on the eastern shore of Lake Lugano within Ticino territory. The settlement extends from the waterfront up into wooded slopes, with narrow lanes and a harbor where small boats dock.
In 777, Lord Toto transferred his lands to the Sant'Ambrogio abbey in Milan, permanently linking the territory to the archbishopric. Over centuries, the commune remained under Italian administration even as the Swiss border grew and solidified around it.
The post office uses Swiss stamps while street signs remain Italian, explaining the commune's name through its position between two nations. Residents move daily between both states, shopping in Como in the morning and taking coffee in Lugano in the afternoon.
Travelers should carry valid identification documents because access passes through Swiss territory and controls may occur. Swiss francs are more widely accepted than euros, though some businesses handle both forms of payment.
The casino reopened in 2022 after four years of closure, bringing life back to the lakefront building. Until 2020, the territory lay outside the EU customs zone, which shaped shopping and border crossings differently than today.
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