In the early 19th century, the contemporary Franco-Danish scholar Conrad Malte-Brun stated that: “The canton of Tesino [Ticino] is the poorest, and the people the most ignorant of any in Switzerland. The finest silk in the district is obtained at Lugano, a small town situated on the banks of a lake.” Until 1878 the three largest cities, Bellinzona, Lugano and Locarno, alternated as capital of the canton. In 1878, however, Bellinzona became the only and permanent capital. The 1870–1891 period saw a surge of political turbulence in Ticino, and the authorities needed the assistance of the federal government to restore order in several instances, in 1870, 1876, 1889 and 1890–1891.
![Gandria, general view, Tessin, Switzerland](https://monovisions.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/tessin-switzerland-vintage-historic-bw-photos-1890s-001.jpg)
Gandria, general view, Tessin, Switzerland
![Locarno, general view, Tessin, Switzerland](https://monovisions.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/tessin-switzerland-vintage-historic-bw-photos-1890s-002.jpg)
Locarno, general view, Tessin, Switzerland
![Locarno, Madonna del Sasso, Loggia, Tessin, Switzerland](https://monovisions.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/tessin-switzerland-vintage-historic-bw-photos-1890s-003.jpg)
Locarno, Madonna del Sasso, Loggia, Tessin, Switzerland
![Lake of Lugano, Morcote, Tessin, Switzerland](https://monovisions.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/tessin-switzerland-vintage-historic-bw-photos-1890s-004.jpg)
Lake of Lugano, Morcote, Tessin, Switzerland
![Lugano, from Massagno, Tessin, Switzerland](https://monovisions.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/tessin-switzerland-vintage-historic-bw-photos-1890s-005.jpg)
Lugano, from Massagno, Tessin, Switzerland
![Lugano, and Monte Brè, Tessin, Switzerland](https://monovisions.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/tessin-switzerland-vintage-historic-bw-photos-1890s-006.jpg)
Lugano, and Monte Brè, Tessin, Switzerland
![Lugano, Monte Generoso Hotel, Tessin, Switzerland](https://monovisions.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/tessin-switzerland-vintage-historic-bw-photos-1890s-007.jpg)
Lugano, Monte Generoso Hotel, Tessin, Switzerland
![Lugano, the quay, Tessin, Switzerland](https://monovisions.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/tessin-switzerland-vintage-historic-bw-photos-1890s-008.jpg)
Lugano, the quay, Tessin, Switzerland
![Lugano, the quay, and San Salvatore, Tessin, Switzerland](https://monovisions.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/tessin-switzerland-vintage-historic-bw-photos-1890s-009.jpg)
Lugano, the quay, and San Salvatore, Tessin, Switzerland
![Lugano, on the quay, Tessin, Switzerland](https://monovisions.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/tessin-switzerland-vintage-historic-bw-photos-1890s-010.jpg)
Lugano, on the quay, Tessin, Switzerland
![Lugano, Bellinzona, Tessin, Switzerland](https://monovisions.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/tessin-switzerland-vintage-historic-bw-photos-1890s-011.jpg)
Lugano, Bellinzona, Tessin, Switzerland
![Lugano, Bellinzona, Tessin, Switzerland](https://monovisions.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/tessin-switzerland-vintage-historic-bw-photos-1890s-012.jpg)
Lugano, Bellinzona, Tessin, Switzerland
![Lugano, Cassarate and Monte Brè, Tessin, Switzerland](https://monovisions.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/tessin-switzerland-vintage-historic-bw-photos-1890s-013.jpg)
Lugano, Cassarate and Monte Brè, Tessin, Switzerland
![Lugano, Gandria, Tessin, Switzerland](https://monovisions.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/tessin-switzerland-vintage-historic-bw-photos-1890s-014.jpg)
Lugano, Gandria, Tessin, Switzerland
![Lugano, Ponte Tresa, Tessin, Switzerland](https://monovisions.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/tessin-switzerland-vintage-historic-bw-photos-1890s-015.jpg)
Lugano, Ponte Tresa, Tessin, Switzerland
![The Orrido at Osteno, Tessin, Switzerland](https://monovisions.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/tessin-switzerland-vintage-historic-bw-photos-1890s-016.jpg)
The Orrido at Osteno, Tessin, Switzerland