Camedo is a Swiss village near the border with Italy. Camedo is part of the Swiss municipality of Centovalli located in Canton Ticino. Camedo is a distinctive separate village and, in spite of being a small frazione in terms of total area, it retains its character among the 19 localities of Centovalli.
History
Camedo was already mentioned in 1297 After the dissolution of the municipality of Centovalli in 1838, Camedo became momentarily part of the municipality of Borgnone. However, Camedo retained its character and importance as a border post. The municipality of Centovalli was reinstated in 2009 with the merge of the old municipalities Intragna, Borgnone and Palagnedra into a single municipality. Camedo was known for the smuggler stories and documentaries this given its geographical proximity to Italy and the fact that this village is the first stop of the train after it crosses the Swiss border from Italy. In 1964, a small textile factory was built in Camedo that employed Swiss and cross-border workers. The bilateral agreement between the EU and Switzerland led to a reduction in the need of customs services located in Ribellasca.
Location
Camedo is located in the Locarno district, on the northern slope of the Centovalli at an elevation of. It is located in Switzerland near the border with Italy. It limits with the Swiss localities of Borgnone and Moneto and with Italy. Google maps recorded this village incorrectly as being either Borgnone or a part of Borgnone which is a different village altogether with a different post code. Camedo it is a village on its own and can be found in the other online maps services correctly as well as in the official federal service
Culture & Tourism
Camedo is the first Swiss village when entering Swiss territory from Italy through the Vigezzo Valley which changes name into Centovalli Valley. A popular hiking route starting in Camedo and finishing in Intragna through the Old Market Way is a popular outdoor activity. San Lorenzo's church was built in the 17th century, with the date 1674 inscribed in the bell tower. The Tuscan-style portico, with a fresco of Saint Lawrence above the door, was added in 1725. Inside there is an altarpiece in scagliola from the mid-eighteenth century signed by Giuseppe Maria Pancaldi. Camedo has also hosted the Centovalli Festival Camedo in 2016 and 2018 and hosts the artist community of theatre, music and food "Atelier Teatro di Camedo" who among other activities offers a monthly film showing.
Infrastructure & Transport
Camedo is well served by Camedo station of the , the train that runs between Domodossola and Locarno. Camedo station is the last Swiss train station before leaving Swiss territory towards Italy. The village is also reachable by car through the cantonal road from Locarno and Intragna that runs through the Centovalli valley towards the Vigezzo Valley into Italy turning into Italian State road 337. Camedo is about 30 minutes away by car from the city of Locarno and about 40 minutes from the city of Domodossola
