Aquila, Switzerland

Aquila is a former municipality in the district of Blenio in the canton of Ticino in Switzerland.

Aquila
Former municipality of Switzerland
Coat of arms
Location of Aquila
Aquila
Aquila
Coordinates: 46°30′N 8°57′E
CountrySwitzerland
CantonTicino
DistrictBlenio
MunicipalityBlenio
Area
 • Total63.00 km2 (24.32 sq mi)
Elevation
782 m (2,566 ft)
Population
 (December 2004)
 • Total528
 • Density8.4/km2 (22/sq mi)
Postal code
6719
SFOS number5031
Surrounded byAcquarossa, Ghirone, Hinterrhein (GR), Malvaglia, Medel (Lucmagn) (GR), Olivone, Torre, Vals (GR), Vrin (GR)
Website

On 25 January 2005, the cantonal authorities announced that Aquila would merge with Campo Blenio, Ghirone, Olivone and Torre to form a new municipality to be called Blenio. This union was carried through on 22 October 2006.[1]

History

Aquila is first mentioned in 1196 as Aquili.[2]

Around 1200, the settlement of Ghirone belonged Aquila. The present borders were established in 1853 with the final separation of the two municipalities. The parish church of San Vittore was built in 1213. It was rebuilt in 1728-30. One important source of income for the village came from money sent back by emigrants from the village to other European countries (often as chocolate makers, waiters, servants). Starting in 1914 many of the inhabitants of Aquila worked in the chocolate factory Cima-Norma in Torre Arbeit. In addition the residents also often farmed land and raised livestock. The closure of the factory in 1968 led to a large population decline. In 1990, about 39% of the population worked in manufacturing, while 49% worked in the services sector. About 60% of the worker commuted out of the village.[2]

Aerial view (1953)

Historic population

The historical population is given in the following table:

Year Population
Aquila[2]
1602 600
1801 804
1850 1,040
1900 719
1950 627
2000 487
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References
  1. Amtliches Gemeindeverzeichnis der Schweiz published by the Swiss Federal Statistical Office (in German) accessed 14 January 2010
  2. Aquila in German, French and Italian in the online Historical Dictionary of Switzerland.
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