Morcote

Morcote
Country Switzerland Canton Ticino District Lugano 45°55′N 8°55′E / 45.917°N 8.917°E / 45.917; 8.917Coordinates: 45°55′N 8°55′E / 45.917°N 8.917°E / 45.917; 8.917
Population	746 (Dec 2009)[1]
- Density	266 /km2 (690 /sq mi)
Area	2.8 km2 (1.1 sq mi)
Elevation	272 m (892 ft)
Postal code	6922
SFOS number	5203
Surrounded by	Barbengo, Brusimpiano (IT-VA), Brusino Arsizio, Carona, Porto Ceresio (IT-VA), Vico Morcote
Twin towns	Viarmes (France)
Website	www.morcote.ch Profile (Italian), SFSO statistics
Morcote
View map of Morcote

Morcote is a municipality in the Swiss canton of Ticino situated about 10 kilometres from Lugano in the district of Lugano on the shore of Lake Lugano.

With its characteristic small alleys, the arcades of old Patrician homes, valuable architectural monuments and its natural beauty, the lakefront position, Morcote is considered "the Pearl of Ceresio".^[2]

History

Morcote's lakefront. The town's development and history are connected to the lake

Morcote is first mentioned historically in 926 as Murcau, which comes from the Latin Morae caput, meaning head of the hill.^[3] In 1353 it was mentioned as Murchoe and again in 1453 as Murchote.^[4]

Starting around 1100, Morcote was home to a castle that was built to guard and control commerce on the lake. Until the dam was built in Melide in 1847, Morcote was the largest port on Lake Lugano. Goods from northern Italy were shipped across the lake to the rest of Ticino. In 1422 the town was granted privileges by the Duke of Milan, which included the rights to impose taxes, self government, independent fishing and the right to hold markets. After the plague year of 1432, only seven families survived in the town.^[3] The town was often caught between the rival powers of Milan and Como as they fought for control in Lombardy. In 1517 the region came under the control of the Old Swiss Confederation, and was added to the Vogtei of Lugano.^[4] However Morcote retained extensive rights, including judicial and tax autonomy as well as fishing rights over the entire lake.

During the Late Middle Ages the major industries of Morcote included fishing, farming and shipping. During the end of the Middle Ages, artists began to move into the town as well.^[4] In 1583 the town had a self supporting parish established in the parish church Santa Maria del Sasso, which dated from the 13th century.

In 1862, seven houses slid into the lake.

During the 19th century tourism grew into a major industry in Morcote. In the late 20th and early 21st Centuries, wine production and handicrafts have been added to tourism.^[4]

Geography

Morcote village

Morcote has an area, as of 1997^[update], of 2.8 square kilometers (1.1 sq mi). Of this area, 0.41 km² (0.16 sq mi) or 14.6% is used for agricultural purposes, while 2.28 km² (0.88 sq mi) or 81.4% is forested. Of the rest of the land, 0.43 km² (0.17 sq mi) or 15.4% is settled (buildings or roads), 0.03 km² (7.4 acres) or 1.1% is either rivers or lakes.

Of the built up area, housing and buildings made up 12.9% and transportation infrastructure made up 1.8%. Out of the forested land, all of the forested land area is covered with heavy forests. Of the agricultural land, 1.4% is used for growing crops and 12.9% is used for alpine pastures. All the water in the municipality is in lakes.^[5]

The municipality is located in the Lugano district, between Lake Lugano and Monte Arbostora. It consists of the village of Morcote, the village of Vico until 1803 and between 1803–16, Carabietta.

Coat of arms

The blazon of the municipal coat of arms is Per fess gules a shepherdess sitting on a garb all argent and vert a sow and her piglets also argent.^[6]

Heritage sites of national significance

The parish church of Santa Maria del Sasso

The Chapel of S. Antonio Abate with its monumental staircase, the Parish Church of S. Maria del Sasso with Oratory, the Cimitero monumentale (Cemetery) and Scherrer Park are listed as Swiss heritage site of national significance. The entire village of Morcote is part of the Inventory of Swiss Heritage Sites.^[7]

Sites

The church of Santa Maria del Sasso was probably built in the 13th century. It was completely rebuilt in 1462 in the style of the Renaissance. In 1758 it was renovated in the baroque style, while in the 18th century a monumentual stair case was added to the front of the church.^[4] The church tower was built in the Middle Ages and made taller during the 16th century.^[8] The church contains several valuable frescos from the 16th and 17th Centuries including one painting that is dated to 1513.^[8] The sacramental chapel contains carvings from 1591 and paintings from 1611.^[8] In the chapel on the opposite side contains an example of illusionistic architecture painting from the 18th century.

Near the church is the Chapel Sant' Antonio do Padova which was built in 1676 with an unusual octagonal floor plan and dome.^[8]

Cemetery of Morcote

In 1750 a large cemetery was added near the church. In the beautiful terraced cemetery overlooking the lake, many artists are buried, among them Alexander Moissi, actor, Georges Baklanoff, Russian baritone, Georg Kaiser, German author, and Eugen d’Albert, German composer and pianist.

The chapel of Sant' Antonio Abata, conscrated before 1591, was originally a hospice run by the Antonines order of Vienna. The interior houses several frescoes from a 15th century master artist from Seregno, as well as other newer paintings.^[8]

The arcades along the lake shore date partly from the Late Middle Ages and include several noble houses from the 16th to 18th centuries. One of the most interesting is the Palazzo Paleari which was built in 1483 and renovated in 1661.^[4]

In 1965, Scherrer Gardens, the former home of wealthy St. Gallen textile merchant, was opened to the public. The gardens are rich with luxurious subtropical vegetation and many kinds of buildings and art, both original and copies from all over the world. The gardens include palm trees, camellias, wisteria and oleanders, cedar and cypress trees, camphor and eucalyptus, magnolias and azaleas, orange and lemon trees, bamboo and many other kinds of fragrant plants.^[9]

Demographics

Morcote has a population (as of December 2009^[update]) of 746.^[1] As of 2008^[update], 33.4% of the population are resident foreign nationals.^[10] Over the last 10 years (1997–2007) the population has changed at a rate of 11.4%.

Most of the population (as of 2000^[update]) speaks Italian (70.2%), with German being second most common (18.8%) and Serbo-Croatian being third (3.8%).^[11] Of the Swiss national languages (as of 2000^[update]), 142 speak German, 14 people speak French, 529 people speak Italian, and 2 people speak Romansh. The remainder (67 people) speak another language.^[12]

As of 2008^[update], the gender distribution of the population was 47.5% male and 52.5% female. The population was made up of 229 Swiss men (30.7% of the population), and 125 (16.8%) non-Swiss men. There were 270 Swiss women (36.2%), and 122 (16.4%) non-Swiss women.^[13]

In 2008^[update] there were 6 live births to Swiss citizens and 1 birth to non-Swiss citizens, and in same time span there were 3 deaths of Swiss citizens and 1 non-Swiss citizen death. Ignoring immigration and emigration, the population of Swiss citizens increased by 3 while the foreign population remained the same. There was 1 Swiss man and 3 Swiss women who emigrated from Switzerland. At the same time, there were 5 non-Swiss men and 8 non-Swiss women who immigrated from another country to Switzerland. The total Swiss population change in 2008 (from all sources, including moves across municipal borders) was a decrease of 14 and the non-Swiss population change was an increase of 11 people. This represents a population growth rate of −0.4%.^[10]

The age distribution, as of 2009^[update], in Morcote is; 33 children or 4.4% of the population are between 0 and 9 years old and 45 teenagers or 6.0% are between 10 and 19. Of the adult population, 65 people or 8.7% of the population are between 20 and 29 years old. 111 people or 14.9% are between 30 and 39, 121 people or 16.2% are between 40 and 49, and 106 people or 14.2% are between 50 and 59. The senior population distribution is 125 people or 16.8% of the population are between 60 and 69 years old, 73 people or 9.8% are between 70 and 79, there are 67 people or 9.0% who are over 80.^[13]

As of 2000^[update] the average number of residents per living room was 0.5 which is less people per room than the cantonal average of 0.6 per room. In this case, a room is defined as space of a housing unit of at least 4 m² (43 sq ft) as normal bedrooms, dining rooms, living rooms, kitchens and habitable cellars and attics.^[14] About 39.8% of the total households were owner occupied, or in other words did not pay rent (though they may have a mortgage or a rent-to-own agreement).^[15]

As of 2000^[update], there were 344 private households in the municipality, and an average of 2. persons per household.^[11] In 2000^[update] there were 282 single family homes (or 71.6% of the total) out of a total of 394 inhabited buildings. There were 41 two family buildings (10.4%) and 45 multi-family buildings (11.4%). There were also 26 buildings in the municipality that were multipurpose buildings (used for both housing and commercial or another purpose).^[16]

The vacancy rate for the municipality, in 2008^[update], was 1.34%. In 2000^[update] there were 643 apartments in the municipality. The most common apartment size was the 3 room apartment of which there were 174. There were 45 single room apartments and 169 apartments with five or more rooms.^[17] Of these apartments, a total of 339 apartments (52.7% of the total) were permanently occupied, while 272 apartments (42.3%) were seasonally occupied and 32 apartments (5.0%) were empty.^[17] As of 2007^[update], the construction rate of new housing units was 1.3 new units per 1000 residents.^[11]

The historical population is given in the following chart:^[4][18]

Politics

In the 2007 federal election the most popular party was the FDP which received 49.18% of the vote. The next three most popular parties were the SP (18.65%), the SVP (12.94%) and the Ticino League (7.36%). In the federal election, a total of 205 votes were cast, and the voter turnout was 46.0%.^[19]

In the 2007^[update] Gran Consiglio election, there were a total of 446 registered voters in Morcote, of which 297 or 66.6% voted. 5 blank ballots and 1 null ballot were cast, leaving 291 valid ballots in the election. The most popular party was the PLRT which received 148 or 50.9% of the vote. The next three most popular parties were; the SSI (with 45 or 15.5%), the PS (with 44 or 15.1%) and the PPD+GenGiova (with 14 or 4.8%).^[20]

In the 2007^[update] Consiglio di Stato election, 5 blank ballots and 1 null ballot were cast, leaving 291 valid ballots in the election. The most popular party was the PLRT which received 139 or 47.8% of the vote. The next three most popular parties were; the PS (with 56 or 19.2%), the SSI (with 38 or 13.1%) and the LEGA (with 35 or 12.0%).^[20]

Economy

As of 2007^[update], Morcote had an unemployment rate of 3.68%. As of 2005^[update], there were people employed in the primary economic sector and about businesses involved in this sector. 33 people were employed in the secondary sector and there were 6 businesses in this sector. 228 people were employed in the tertiary sector, with 39 businesses in this sector.^[11] There were 341 residents of the municipality who were employed in some capacity, of which females made up 41.3% of the workforce. In 2000^[update], there were 233 workers who commuted into the municipality and 211 workers who commuted away.

The municipality is a net importer of workers, with about 1.1 workers entering the municipality for every one leaving. About 24.5% of the workforce coming into Morcote are coming from outside Switzerland, while 0.9% of the locals commute out of Switzerland for work.^[21] Of the working population, 6.7% used public transportation to get to work, and 57.5% used a private car.^[11]

As of 2009^[update], there were 3 hotels in Morcote with a total of 40 rooms and 79 beds.^[22]

Religion

From the 2000 census^[update], 555 or 73.6% were Roman Catholic, while 87 or 11.5% belonged to the Swiss Reformed Church. There are 92 individuals (or about 12.20% of the population) who belong to another church (not listed on the census), and 20 individuals (or about 2.65% of the population) did not answer the question.^[12]

Education

In Morcote about 74% of the population (between age 25–64) have completed either non-mandatory upper secondary education or additional higher education (either university or a Fachhochschule).^[11]

In Morcote there were a total of 69 students (as of 2009^[update]). The Ticino education system provides up to three years of non-mandatory kindergarten and in Morcote there were 6 children in kindergarten. The primary school program lasts for five years and includes both a standard school and a special school. In the municipality, 17 students attended the standard primary schools and 2 students attended the special school. In the lower secondary school system, students either attend a two year middle school followed by a two year pre-apprenticeship or they attend a four year program to prepare for higher education. There were 16 students in the two year middle school, while 9 students were in the four year advanced program.

The upper secondary school includes several options, but at the end of the upper secondary program, a student will be prepared to enter a trade or to continue on to a university or college. In Ticino, vocational students may either attend school while working on their internship or apprenticeship (which takes three or four years) or may attend school followed by an internship or apprenticeship (which takes one year as a full-time student or one and a half to two years as a part-time student).^[23] There were 11 vocational students who were attending school full-time and 5 who attend part-time.

The professional program lasts three years and prepares a student for a job in engineering, nursing, computer science, business, tourism and similar fields. There were 3 students in the professional program.^[24]

As of 2000^[update], there were 14 students in Morcote who came from another municipality, while 52 residents attended schools outside the municipality.^[21]

References

1. ^ ^{a b} Swiss Federal Statistical Office, MS Excel document – Bilanz der ständigen Wohnbevölkerung nach Kantonen, Bezirken und Gemeinden (German) accessed 25 August 2010
2. ^ Morcote Tourism accessed 26 February 2009
3. ^ ^{a b} From the book „Morcote Die Perle des Luganersees“ from Adriano Antonini – Carlo Meazza, Macchione editore, quoted in Morcote Tourism – The Morcote Story accessed 26 February 2009
4. ^ ^{a b c d e f g} Morcote in German, French and Italian in the online Historical Dictionary of Switzerland.
5. ^ Altitudine, superficie, secondo il genere di utilizzazione, rilevazione 1992/1997, e densità della popolazione, nel 2000 (Italian) accessed 25 October 2010
6. ^ Flags of the World.com accessed 14-January-2011
7. ^ "Kantonsliste A-Objekte:Ticino" (in German). l KGS Inventar. Federal Office of Civil Protection. 2009. http://www.bevoelkerungsschutz.admin.ch/internet/bs/de/home/themen/kgs/kgs_inventar/a-objekte.parsys.000117.DownloadFile.tmp/ti.pdf. Retrieved 12 July 2010. 
8. ^ ^{a b c d e} Flüeler (1982). Kulturführer Schweiz. Zurich, CH: Ex Libris Verlag AG. pp. 244–245. 
9. ^ Morcote Tourism – Scherrer Park accessed 2 March 2009
10. ^ ^{a b} Swiss Federal Statistical Office – Superweb database – Gemeinde Statistics 1981–2008 (German) accessed 19 June 2010
11. ^ ^{a b c d e f} Swiss Federal Statistical Office accessed 14-January-2011
12. ^ ^{a b} Popolazione residente, secondo la lingua principale e la religione, nel 2000 (Italian) accessed 23 November 2010
13. ^ ^{a b} 01.02.03 Popolazione residente permanente (Italian) accessed 23 November 2010
14. ^ Eurostat. "Housing (SA1)" (pdf). Urban Audit Glossary. 2007. p. 18. http://www.bfs.admin.ch/bfs/portal/en/index/international/22/lexi.Document.116365.pdf. Retrieved 12 February 2010. 
15. ^ Urban Audit Glossary pg 17
16. ^ 09.02.01 Edifici (Italian) accessed 23 November 2010
17. ^ ^{a b} 09.02.02 Abitazioni (Italian) accessed 23 November 2010
18. ^ Popolazione residente, dal 1850 (Italian) accessed 23 November 2010
19. ^ Swiss Federal Statistical Office, Nationalratswahlen 2007: Stärke der Parteien und Wahlbeteiligung, nach Gemeinden/Bezirk/Canton (German) accessed 28 May 2010
20. ^ ^{a b} Elezioni cantonali: Gran Consiglio, Consiglio di Stato (Italian) accessed 23 November 2010
21. ^ ^{a b} Swiss Federal Statistical Office – Statweb (German) accessed 24 June 2010
22. ^ Settori alberghiero e paralberghiero (Italian) accessed 23 November 2010
23. ^ EDK/CDIP/IDES (2010). KANTONALE SCHULSTRUKTUREN IN DER SCHWEIZ UND IM FÜRSTENTUM LIECHTENSTEIN / STRUCTURES SCOLAIRES CANTONALES EN SUISSE ET DANS LA PRINCIPAUTÉ DU LIECHTENSTEIN (Report). http://edudoc.ch/record/35128/files/Schulsystem_alle.pdf. Retrieved 24 June 2010. 
24. ^ Allievi e studenti, secondo il genere di scuola, anno scolastico 2009/2010 (Italian) accessed 23 November 2010

External links

• ProMorcote Official Site of Morcote.
• Morcote in German, French and Italian in the online Historical Dictionary of Switzerland.