History
The growth of Besso as a residential area dates back to the late 19th century and is linked to the opening of the Gotthard Railway (1882) and the construction of Lugano station, located on the San Lorenzo hill plateau.
Initially, the development of the district was driven by residential and hotel settlements along Via Basilea (formerly Via Circonvallazione, 1891), laid out in 1893 to connect Besso with the station and the city center.
In 1900, the Moncucco Clinic was built, and in 1909, the primary school was established, followed by the opening of the municipal kindergarten in 1926.
In 1926, the Besso tunnel was inaugurated, and a pedestrian underpass was opened.
To provide an organized center for the district, the Piazzale di Besso was created in 1943, connected to the pedestrian passage and the road tunnel.
The 1983 zoning plan included the construction of social facilities, which materialized in 1989 with the Residenza Gemmo, offering accommodation for elderly residents of the district, and the new elementary school in 1995, which houses the Centro di quartiere (District Center). This center is designed for community gatherings and for hosting social, cultural, and recreational activities.
Today, Besso hosts a modern middle school, built in the mid-1990s, while the former Seminary houses the Conservatorio della Svizzera Italiana and the Swiss National Sound Archive.
The name "Besso" might derive from the adjective basso (low), referring to an area that, although higher than the town, is lower than the hillside localities of Montarina, Moncucco, Soldino, and Coremmo.
Places of interest
Completed in 1950, the Church of San Nicolao is a landmark of the Besso district. On the facade, a mosaic by the Romandy painter François Ribas depicts Saint Nicholas amidst the devastations of war and the productive works of peace. In the churchyard, the slender and imposing stone bell tower stands out, featuring five bells.
Inside, notable features include the large bronze door by Venanzo Crocetti and the significant ceramics by Angelo Biancini, depicting four saints. Of particular interest and value are the impressive stained glass windows by Swiss artist Willy Kaufmann, comprising 76 panels that illustrate key episodes from the Old and New Testament, as well as elements related to the life and devotion of Saint Nicholas.
The English version of this page was created with the aid of automatic translation tools and may contain errors and omissions.
The original version is the page in Italian.