Maggia (municipality)

Maggia
Maggia village from S. Maria Delle Grazie
Coat of arms
Maggia Show map of Switzerland Maggia Show map of Canton of Ticino
Location of Maggia
Coordinates: 46°14′N 8°42′E / 46.233°N 8.700°E / 46.233; 8.700Coordinates: 46°14′N 8°42′E / 46.233°N 8.700°E / 46.233; 8.700
Country	Switzerland
Canton	Ticino
District	Vallemaggia
Government
• Mayor	Sindaco
Area
• Total	111.09 km2 (42.89 sq mi)
Elevation	372 m (1,220 ft)
Population (Dec 2016)
• Total	2,592
• Density	23/km2 (60/sq mi)
Postal code	6671,6673,6674
SFOS number	5317
Localities	Maggia, Moghegno, Aurigeno, Giumaglio, Someo, Lodano
Surrounded by	Avegno, Brione (Verzasca), Campo (Vallemaggia), Cavigliano, Cevio, Gordevio, Gresso, Isorno, Lavizzara, Onsernone, Vergeletto, Verscio
Website	www.maggia.ch SFSO statistics

Maggia is a municipality in the district of Vallemaggia in the canton of Ticino in Switzerland.

Maggia's municipal borders were created in 2004 when the previous municipalities of Maggia, Moghegno, Aurigeno, Giumaglio, Someo, and Lodano were united. The municipality contains roughly 2,400 inhabitants and its official language is Italian.

Maggia is first mentioned in 1200 as de madia. In 1225 it was mentioned as Madiis, 1270 Madia.

It was first recorded in 1270 as Madiis. This history contradicts a persistent legend about the history of the town's name. "Maggio", meaning "May" in Italian, was thought to be the source of Maggia's name as legend dictated that in this month settlers first arrived at the site.

Roman era graves have been discovered in Maggia.

Maggia broke away from the parish of S. Vittore in Murano in 1000, to form their own parish. The church in Maggia was the first parish church of the lower Maggia valley. It was the mother church of the other parishes that developed in the region in the following centuries. The current church of St. Mauritius was built in 1636. In 1855 the front facade was extended, followed in 1881 by a monumental staircase. The church was renovated in 1996-98. The Oratory of Madonna delle Grazie was built in 1510 on the site of an earlier chapel. It contains frescoes from around the construction and votive paintings by Giovanni Antonio Vanoni. In the Antrobio chapel there are frescoes from the 15th Century, which are among the oldest in the valley.