Mendrisio

Mendrisio is a municipality of about 14,900 inhabitants in the district of Mendrisio in the canton of Ticino, Switzerland, and the seat of the Accademia di Architettura of the University of Italian-speaking Switzerland. It grew by mergers: on 4 April 2004 it incorporated the former municipality of Salorino, on 5 April 2009 Arzo, Capolago, Genestrerio, Rancate and Tremona, and on 14 April 2013 Besazio, Ligornetto and Meride. It is served by Mendrisio railway station and Mendrisio San Martino railway station. Mendrisio was first mentioned in 793 as Mendrici and was also known by its German name Mendris, though this is no longer used. The area was inhabited in the Roman era, with about thirty tombs, a villa and coins from a Roman settlement discovered, and after the collapse of the Roman Empire Mendrisio was the centre of a Lombard district.