LUGANO, a thriving town of Switzerland, canton of Tessin, on the northern shore of Lugano Lake, 16 miles S. by W. of Bellinzona. It is beautifully situate on the margin of the lake, and is surrounded by a most luxurious country, but the town itself is not well built, and the streets are dirty. The chief public buildings are,—a college, a small theatre, an hospital, founded in the twelfth century, and several schools and churches. Of the latter, the principal are those of San Lorenzo, situate on an eminence, and Santa Maria degli Angioli, founded in 1499, and containing some excellent paintings. Silk grown in the canton is manufactured here extensively, besides tobacco, paper, leather, and copper; and a brisk transport trade is carried on with Italy by means of the lake. Lugano is also the seat of a considerable printing and publishing trade. Pop. 4500.