The Mendrisiotto and Lower Ceresio is a small triangular shaped region which borders on Italy to the south and is a short distance from Lugano, Lake Maggiore, Como and Varese. With the development in communications, this small region at the gateway to Switzerland has become an important point of commercial and tourist transit.
 
Those who have the chance to discover this generous land in more depth will find a corner of paradise between enchanting landscapes, sparkling hills and green heights painted by nature’s colours, which change constantly. Between oaks, firs and birches are oases of peace with a totally soothing calm.

This whole land is to be discovered; from the  serenity of the lake to the soft contours of the hills, from the gentle plains to the terraced hills of the vineyards and up to the highest majestic peaks, from lakeside villages to those clinging to the steep sides of the mountain.

This region, small but rich in contrasts, is pleasant for a holiday in all seasons: in spring, when the woods and gardens burst into life; in summer, when respite from the heat can be found beneath the pergola of a "grotto" or by the lakeside; in autumn, when the landscape is magnificent in its warm and varied colours; and lastly in winter, which is often mild and without snow. 

Canton Ticino is called a land of artists. This image is certainly true also for the southernmost part of the territory. Among the best-known artists from our region the figures of Francesco Borromini and Vincenzo Vela should be remembered.
The former is one of the greatest protagonists of the history of architecture. He was born in Bissone in 1599 and after an apprenticeship as stone-mason in the Lombardy capital of Milan he moved to Rome, where he became one of the greatest Baroque masters.
Vincenzo Vela (1820 – 1871) was born in Ligornetto, but at the age of 14 was already an apprentice in Milan working on the building site of the cathedral.
After a career in Turin where he was ordained as one of the main artists of his time he returned to his native village, where he created his home-museum (see the Vela Museum).

Alongside famous names there are many artists of great value who are known only locally or are even anonymous. Visiting the museums and churches in the area is certainly a source of great delight to art lovers; there they can discover works worthy of merit and interest. It may be one of the best ways to appreciate the Mendrisiotto and Lower Ceresio.
Although Borromini and Vela had to go abroad in order to realise their worth as artists, there are others who found inspiration in our area.
This is the case of Gerhard Hauptmann (1862 – 1946), the great German playwright, who wrote the tale “The Heretic of Soana” during a holiday in Rovio.
In this book, considered by many to be Hauptmann’s masterpiece, the writer sets the encounter – clash between the Christian and pagan worlds in Soana, with an ironic eye.
Hermann Hesse, winner of the Nobel Literature Prize in 1946, is also to be remembered; he lived for a long time in Ticino, in Montagnola. He loved the area very much, so much so as to set “Journey to the East”, an allegorical novel, in the gorge of the Muggio Valley.

Throughout the year several festivals and events take place in the area.

Some have fairly ancient roots and refer to religious feasts, others are relatively recent, but they have been able to cut out their own role and acquire a place in local cultural life.

In the period before Easter the Historical Processions in Mendrisio are especially worthy of note.
Their origin dates back to the 17th century and – as in those days –  on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday the ancient drama, which is a fundamental event in Christian religion, is re-lived and contemplated in a procession through the streets of the historical centre, following a ritual which has lasted for centuries.

Musical events like Festate, Estival Jazz or popular festivals like the Palio of Mendrisio, the Wine and Chestnut Festivals are also sure to interest the visitor.