A border between poverty and persecution

Event Gandria

Overview

  • Date

    19. May - 18. October 2026

    Tue 12:00 - 17:00
    Wed 12:00 - 17:00
    Thu 12:00 - 17:00
    Fri 12:00 - 17:00
    Sat 12:00 - 17:00
    Sun 12:00 - 17:00

  • Contact

    Schweizerisches Zollmuseum
    Cantine di Gandria
    6978 Gandria
    Phone  +41 (0)58 463 49 22
    zollmuseum.admin.ch

    Check Availability

Intro

A temporary exhibition on smugglers and refugees between Italy and Switzerland during the Second World War.

The border with Italy was by far the area which saw the most intense levels of smuggling. The exhibition traces the history of smuggling, focusing on its most memorable period: the Second World War. Spared from the expansionist ambitions of the menacing Axis powers, Switzerland was literally invaded by an army of smugglers. Men, women and even children from the Italian border villages saw this tough and dangerous activity as a means of alleviating their difficult financial situations.

In those turbulent years, with the centre-north of Italy occupied by the Wehrmacht and ravaged by civil war, thousands of military and civil refugees, especially politicians and Jews, poured into Switzerland. Around 26,000 military and 12,000 civilian refugees were granted entry into Ticino and Mesolcina, of whom around 4,500 were Jews. But many people were also turned away. Some of the Jews who were refused entry were arrested and deported to Auschwitz, from where few returned.

Free

Event information

Show Event information content
Price
Free
The content presented here is provided and updated by regional/local tourist offices or event organisers, which is why Switzerland Tourism is unable to guarantee the correctness of the contents.

Event dates

  • 16 June 2026
  • 17 June 2026
  • 18 June 2026
  • 19 June 2026
  • 20 June 2026
  • 21 June 2026
  • 23 June 2026
  • 24 June 2026
  • 25 June 2026
  • 26 June 2026
  • 27 June 2026
  • 28 June 2026
  • 30 June 2026
  • 01 July 2026
  • 02 July 2026
  • 03 July 2026
  • 04 July 2026
  • 05 July 2026
  • 07 July 2026
  • 08 July 2026
  • 09 July 2026
  • 10 July 2026
  • 11 July 2026
  • 12 July 2026
  • 14 July 2026
  • 15 July 2026
  • 16 July 2026
  • 17 July 2026
  • 18 July 2026
  • 19 July 2026
  • 21 July 2026
  • 22 July 2026
  • 23 July 2026
  • 24 July 2026
  • 25 July 2026
  • 26 July 2026
  • 28 July 2026
  • 29 July 2026
  • 30 July 2026
  • 31 July 2026
  • 01 August 2026
  • 02 August 2026
  • 04 August 2026
  • 05 August 2026
  • 06 August 2026
  • 07 August 2026
  • 08 August 2026
  • 09 August 2026
  • 11 August 2026
  • 12 August 2026
  • 13 August 2026
  • 14 August 2026
  • 15 August 2026
  • 16 August 2026
  • 18 August 2026
  • 19 August 2026
  • 20 August 2026
  • 21 August 2026
  • 22 August 2026
  • 23 August 2026
  • 25 August 2026
  • 26 August 2026
  • 27 August 2026
  • 28 August 2026
  • 29 August 2026
  • 30 August 2026
  • 01 September 2026
  • 02 September 2026
  • 03 September 2026
  • 04 September 2026
  • 05 September 2026
  • 06 September 2026
  • 08 September 2026
  • 09 September 2026
  • 10 September 2026
  • 11 September 2026
  • 12 September 2026
  • 13 September 2026
  • 15 September 2026
  • 16 September 2026
  • 17 September 2026
  • 18 September 2026
  • 19 September 2026
  • 20 September 2026
  • 22 September 2026
  • 23 September 2026
  • 24 September 2026
  • 25 September 2026
  • 26 September 2026
  • 27 September 2026
  • 29 September 2026
  • 30 September 2026
  • 01 October 2026
  • 02 October 2026
  • 03 October 2026
  • 04 October 2026
  • 06 October 2026
  • 07 October 2026
  • 08 October 2026
  • 09 October 2026
  • 10 October 2026
  • 11 October 2026
  • 13 October 2026
  • 14 October 2026
  • 15 October 2026
  • 16 October 2026
  • 17 October 2026
  • 18 October 2026

Discover the surroundings

Contact

Schweizerisches Zollmuseum
Cantine di Gandria
6978  Gandria
Switzerland

Phone  +41 (0)58 463 49 22
zollmuseum@bazg.admin.ch
zollmuseum.admin.ch

Date

19. May - 18. October 2026

Tue 12:00 - 17:00
Wed 12:00 - 17:00
Thu 12:00 - 17:00
Fri 12:00 - 17:00
Sat 12:00 - 17:00
Sun 12:00 - 17:00

Contact

Schweizerisches Zollmuseum
Cantine di Gandria
6978 Gandria
Phone  +41 (0)58 463 49 22
zollmuseum.admin.ch

Check Availability

Current Offers

  • Lugano Monte Brè Cable Car Ticket from Lugano Cassarate

    The cable car departs from Lugano Cassarate in two sections up to Monte Brè. It covers a total of... from CHF 17
    Offer details


    valid: 15.06.2026 - 10.12.2026

    Learn more about Monte Brè Cable Car Ticket from Lugano Cassarate

  • Lugano Boat trip Lugano - Morcote ticket

    Discover the enchanting Lake Lugano between Lugano and Morcote with this boat ticket. from CHF 27.60
    Offer details


    valid: 15.06.2026 - 18.10.2026

    Learn more about Boat trip Lugano - Morcote ticket

  • Lugano From Lugano: private day trip Verzasca Valley and Lake Maggiore

    Discover the crystal clear waters of the Verzasca River on this private excursion. Admire also Lake... from CHF 990
    Offer details


    valid: 16.06.2026 - 30.11.2026

    Learn more about From Lugano: private day trip Verzasca Valley and Lake Maggiore

  • Lugano Private day trip to Stresa and the Borromean Islands

    You will be picked up from your hotel in the greater Lugano area and taken to Stresa. There, you... from CHF 990
    Offer details


    valid: 16.06.2026 - 30.10.2026

    Learn more about Private day trip to Stresa and the Borromean Islands

  • Lugano Biking Holidays Lugano Bike

    Luggage transfer, travel documents, navigation app, SchweizMobil-Plus subscription from CHF 685
    Offer details


    valid: 15.06.2026 - 18.10.2026

    Learn more about Biking Holidays Lugano Bike

  • Lugano Hiking holidays Centre tour Lago di Lugano

    Luggage transfer, travel documents, navigation app, SchweizMobil-Plus subscription from CHF 999
    Offer details


    valid: 15.06.2026 - 11.10.2026

    Learn more about Hiking holidays Centre tour Lago di Lugano

  • Magliaso Combo Ticket for Entry to Zoo al Maglio and Swissminiatur

    With the combo ticket - Swissminiatur and Zoo al Maglio, you can experience two Ticino destinations... from CHF 25
    Offer details


    valid: 15.06.2026 - 31.10.2026

    Learn more about Combo Ticket for Entry to Zoo al Maglio and Swissminiatur

  • Rivera Pool and Day Spa Ticket at Splash and Spa

    A great adventure pool with attraction pool and integrated pool bar, fast water slides, a wonderful... from CHF 70
    Offer details


    valid: 15.06.2026 - 31.12.2026

    Learn more about Pool and Day Spa Ticket at Splash and Spa

  • Rivera Ticket Monte Tamaro with the cable car from Rivera

    Take the cable car to the Alpe Foppa station on Monte Tamaro in Ticino and discover the wonderful... from CHF 26
    Offer details


    valid: 15.06.2026 - 08.11.2026

    Learn more about Ticket Monte Tamaro with the cable car from Rivera

  • Rivera Monte Tamaro lunch incl. train ticket

    Take the cable car up to the Alpe Foppa mountain station and enjoy a delicious meal in the mountain... from CHF 42.50
    Offer details


    valid: 15.06.2026 - 08.11.2026

    Learn more about Monte Tamaro lunch incl. train ticket

Discover Gandria

Learn more