Airolo, Switzerland

Forte Airolo
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Forte_Airolo_Schweiz.jpg
Author: Thomas Philipp


Airolo is a municipality in the canton of Ticino, in Switzerland. Located 1,175 m (3,855 ft) above sea level, it spans over 94.37 sq km (36.44 sq mi) and has a population of around 1,600 people (2012 estimate).

Human habitation in the Airolo area can be traced back to the Roman period, based on discovery of 2nd and 3rd century Roman tombs found in the area. During the medieval period, Stalvedro Castle was built in the 13th century. Today it is in a state of ruins.

Airolo is in the Leventina valley on the southern flank of the St Gotthard Pass. The majority of the population speak Italian (85.6%). 80.8% of the people are Roman Catholic, while only 2.1% belong to the Swiss Reformed Church.

Among the sites here that have been listed on the Swiss heritage site of national significance include the hospice complex on the St Gotthard Pass, the prehistoric settlement and Roman tombs at Madrano and the prehistoric settlement at the St Gotthard Pass. The entire town of Airolo as well as the village of Fontana are also listed in the Inventory of Swiss Heritage Sites.

Visiting Airolo

Airolo is on the A2 motorway near the St Gotthard Tunnel which connects Airolo, Ticino, with Göschenen, Uri. At 16.4 km, it is the longest road tunnel in Switzerland and third longest road tunnel in the world after Norway's Lærdal Tunnel (24.5 km) and China's Zhongnanshan Tunnel (18 km).

Sights & Attractions in Airolo