History
Viganello, which spans 620,000 m² over an area of 119 hectares, joined Lugano in 2004. It retains traces of its rural past in its core and in Albonago, while exhibiting urban characteristics in its flatlands and hillside areas.
In the 19th century, Viganello's agricultural income was supplemented by silkworm breeding and spinning mills. With the construction of the Cassarate bridge in 1866 and subsequent hydraulic engineering works, Viganello became part of the road network on the right bank of the Cassarate river, transforming into an industrial zone of Lugano. It became home to leather manufacturing and tanning, milling and pasta production, wood industries, and the pharmaceutical sector. These new industries attracted many Italian workers, such that by 1900, 44% of Viganello's population was foreign.
Like all districts located close to the city center, Viganello experienced significant population growth starting in the 20th century, particularly in its second half: 244 inhabitants were recorded in 1808, 319 in 1850, 1,477 in 1910, and 2,163 in 1950. Just over 50 years later, in 2008, the population had almost quadrupled to 7,010 inhabitants.
The etymology of Viganello can be traced to the Latin word vicus (village). Linguist Ottavio Lurati explains that vicus led to the adjective vicanus, meaning "related to the village," to designate lands for collective use, as opposed to private properties. Vicanus evolved into Vigan, while the name Viganell, without the final "o," derives from the diminutive -ellum. The first recorded mention of Viganello as a municipality dates back to 1335 in a codex, the Volumen Magnum, preserved in the State Archive of Como.
The coat of arms
The coat of arms was chosen by the Municipality in 1964 for the National Exhibition in Lausanne. It depicts the Muggina, a beautiful example of a rustic house or farmhouse, listed in the Register of Cultural Heritage of Ticino, which was restored between 1981 and 1987. The choice of the Muggina as the emblem represents the past of Viganello, once Lugano's hinterland with a predominantly agricultural character (symbolized by the green background). The river symbolizes the ancient left canal of the Cassarate river, which crossed the territory of Viganello.
Places of interest
La Muggina was likely built in the 16th century and is a fine example of a rustic house or farmhouse. It belonged to the Mugini family from Lugano, which, according to various historical sources, was documented as early as the 1500s. The property was largely enclosed by a wall, beyond which ran roads leading to Bottogno and Viganello.
When the Mugini family line ended (the last male descendant of the family wrote his will in 1710), the building and land were bequeathed to the Santa Maria Hospital in Lugano, which no longer exists. In the second half of the 18th century, the hospital sold everything to the Perseghini family. Giacomo Luvini Perseghini, a descendant, inherited the property and was strongly inspired by liberal ideals. Enthusiastic about the events of the Italian Risorgimento, Luvini Perseghini offered refuge and protection at La Muggina to numerous political exiles.
After a fire, the residential part of the building was restored.
La Muggina is listed in the Register of Cultural Heritage of Canton Ticino. Noteworthy architectural and decorative elements include two cylindrical towers, a rusticated portal, and a stuccoed fireplace.
It underwent restoration between 1981 and 1987. It currently houses the training center of the municipal administration.
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.