The center of the village is built within a
Roman era fortification. While no trace of the actual fortification still exists, local tradition, the use of
Castellano in place names and the compact structure of the once walled enclosure all indicate that the fortress existed. The
hamlet of Torrazza was the source of bitter fighting between the
Swiss Confederation and the
Duchy of Milan. In 1604, the Treaty of Varese decided against the
Italian municipality of
Lavena Ponte Tresa and finally awarded it to Caslano. The
parish church was built in 1653, incorporating an older building. The pre-industrial economy was based on fisheries, mines and
kilns for lime and clay, transport by sea, agriculture and by remittances from emigrants. The local wealth is shown in the quality of the buildings in the village and in the neighboring towns of
Pura and
Collina d'Oro. After World War II, the traditional occupations lost their importance. Agriculture became less common, fisheries disappeared and the mines and furnaces were shut down. Other hand, tourism (hotels, restaurants, vacation homes, second homes), industry, trade and commerce all grew and led to a huge influx of commuters. Construction began throughout the village, and it grew into a tourist destination with a number of suburbs. ==Geography==