History
The development of the district began in the second half of the 19th century with the construction of Lugano's grand hotels (Hôtel du Parc) along the lakefront and notable villas that complemented the pre-existing and historic Villa Tanzina, demolished in 1908. Among these are Villa Loreto (1870), whose portal with its ornaments remains today, Villa Malpensata (1909), and others.
The construction of Via Clemente Maraini in 1887 connected the SBB Station to the Geretta area in Paradiso. Another significant intervention was the creation of the Gradinata delle Rose (1910–1915), which links Piazzale Loreto to the lake.
The subsequent development of Loreto was driven by the construction of the Funicolare degli Angeli in 1913 and the completion of Via Adamini (now the main thoroughfare) in 1932. These projects connected the lower and upper parts of the district.
In 1951, reflecting the district's significant population growth, the school and children’s home on Via Adamini were opened.
Landmarks in the district include the Church of the Madonna di Loreto and the religious buildings added in various periods, which were occupied by the Franciscan Fathers until 2007. The area also houses the La Piazzetta retirement home (1993), which includes the district center.
Since autumn 2015, the district, along with the entire city, has been further enhanced by the opening of the new cultural center LAC Lugano Arte e Cultura. Built on the site of the former Albergo Palace, the building features a 1,000-seat theater and concert hall and an art museum spanning five levels. The two facades of the former hotel, of historical significance, have been preserved and restored, with new volumes behind them hosting apartments, offices, and shops.
Places of interest
Loreto hosts several museums that are very important for the city:
The bronze bust of George Washington, placed in the small temple on Antonio Caccia lakeside promenade, dates back to 1859. It is framed by two cypress trees and other plants that once adorned the garden of the historic Villa Tanzina, purchased in 1840 by Abbondio Chialiva.
Born in Traversella in the Canavese region, Chialiva participated in the Carbonari uprisings of 1821, which, upon their failure, forced him into exile. He first went to Mexico and then to Peru, where he discovered a gold mine. Having amassed wealth, he settled on the shores of Lake Ceresio. Under his ownership, Villa Tanzina became a refuge for exiles of the Italian Risorgimento, including Giuseppe Mazzini.
Following the example of Giacomo Ciani, who in 1857 placed Vincenzo Vela's monument to William Tell on the lakeshore in front of his Hôtel du Parc, Chialiva planned to dedicate a "rotonda" at the edge of his garden for the bust of Washington, the hero of American independence.
On 1 August 1859, Chialiva wrote to lawyer Pietro Peri: "At last, the bust of the American Washington has arrived, and it will be placed in the 'rotonda' near Tanzina, almost as an adornment to the lakeside promenade."
Three words, engraved on the column, praise the man: Byron's verse dedicated to the great citizen Magnum saeculorum decus (Great glory of the ages), and below it, George Washington 1732-1799. The bust was inaugurated in September 1859.
The Church of Santa Maria degli Angeli is one of the most important historical monuments in the city. Built between 1499 and 1515 by the observant Franciscans, it is renowned for the grand fresco on the partition wall depicting the Stories of the Passion of Jesus (1529), a masterpiece by the painter Bernardino Luini (ca. 1480–ca. 1531). This work represents one of the highest achievements of Lombard Renaissance painting, influenced by Leonardo da Vinci.
Also by Luini are the frescoes of the Madonna with Child and Saint John the Baptist (in the first side chapel) and the Last Supper (on the south wall of the nave), both originally located in the annexed convent.
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Erected in 1524, the church was opened for Catholic worship only in 1904, following the demolition of the Church of Santa Marta, which stood near the old hospital. In 1907, the church was completely renovated under the initiative of the Municipality of Lugano, which aimed to improve its aesthetic and architectural qualities to better serve the faithful.
The church is located in the Loreto square, surrounded by walls interrupted by two portals on the south side. Its façade features a dynamic Baroque portico adorned with frescoes, and it is attached to a Franciscan convent.
Inside, there is a chapel built in 1728, a replica of the Santa Casa di Loreto (Ancona, Marche).
In the garden in front of the church, there is a small fountain featuring a bronze statue of Saint Francis of Assisi, the work of Pietro Borsari. The lateral enclosure, however, was used in the 19th century as a cemetery for non-Catholics.
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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.