Which Italian exclave is surrounded by the Swiss canton of Ticino?

Campione d’Italia is the Italian exclave surrounded by Switzerland’s canton of Ticino.

The municipality belongs to Italy’s Province of Como in Lombardy and stands on the shore of Lake Lugano. It is separated from the rest of Italy by Swiss territory and lake waters; the nearest road route to Italy passes through Switzerland and is more than 14 kilometres long.

Its history explains the anomaly. In the Middle Ages, Campione remained attached to the abbey of Sant’Ambrogio in Milan even after surrounding Ticino shifted toward Swiss control. Residents rejected incorporation into Switzerland in 1798 and again opposed a proposed transfer in 1814, preserving the territory’s Italian status.

Campione has long been closely integrated with Ticino. Swiss francs are widely used, Swiss services have historically supported parts of local life, and the famous Casinò di Campione opened in 1917. Since 1 January 2020, the municipality has been included in the European Union customs territory, ending its former special customs position.