Lugano lay on the shores of Lake Lugano, bordering Italy. It was now an Italian-speaking city belonging to Switzerland.
Cars were prohibited here; both tourists and local residents traveled on foot. Houses in every color—yellow, pink, blue, red, and more—were built along the mountainsides like irregular clusters of colorful building blocks. Nestled among green hills, trees, and vineyards, they turned Lugano's back hills into a bright Mediterranean painting of layered colors.
By the lake stood a train bound for Switzerland, known as the scenic train. In reality, the route combined buses and trains. Even in winter, it was filled with warm sunshine and was ideal for travel, making it a lakeside playground for the Swiss.
In Lugano, one could feel the warmth of Italian people while avoiding Italy's original dirty, chaotic streets and brazen pickpockets. People from the Netherlands and other Northern European countries regarded it as their first choice for holidays. It ranked at the top of lists for "the city people most wanted to live in after retirement." There were the majestic Alps to admire and lakes where one could row boats. What a pleasant life.
But this peaceful little city had not belonged to Switzerland from the moment it was built.
When the city was founded in the sixth century, it belonged to the Celts. Later, it belonged to the Lombards, then to the Duchy of Milan. When Charles VIII occupied Milan, the city passed into French hands.
After the War of the Spanish Succession, France lost control of northern Italy, and Lugano passed into German hands.
After the Holy Roman Empire fragmented, it finally fell into Swiss hands and became one of Switzerland's three major financial centers.
This beautiful, peaceful little city had some connection to war, but no great battles had ever taken place here.