Hidden amid the oft-painted peaks of Switzerland's southern Alps, between Lake Maggiore and Lago di Como, rests the tranquil city of Lugano. Its name, which is believed to derive from the Gaulish word for "lake dweller", is all the more fitting given that its position on the shores of Lake Lugano seems to have been continuously occupied since before the beginning of recorded history. The passage through time of Celts, Etruscans, Romans, and various other tribes is testified to by the number of finely crafted artifacts and romantic ruins that have been uncovered both within and beyond its borders. A part of the Italian-speaking Canton of Ticino, those borders encircle approximately 55,000 people in a community that is known for both the independent spirit that is synonymous with Switzerland and the cuisine, artistry, and tradition that marks northern Italy. Italianate and Romanesque architecture, in fact, dominate much of Lugano's skyline, however elements of the Northern Renaissance can also be found in many of its 17 Heritage Sites of National Significance. Of these landmarks, the Villa Ciani and Cathedral of St. Lorenzo are perhaps the most well known, though modern establishments like the Dalle Molle Institute of Artificial Intelligence and Swiss National Supercomputing Centre have begun to play an increasingly important role in Lugano's economy. Nature itself, ultimately, may be this city's greatest attraction. Up to 923 ft deep and covering nearly 19 square miles, the warm, clean waters of Lake Lugano are popular among boaters of all types while, with a summit of 3,035 ft, nearby Monte Bre is a perennial favorite of hikers, climbers, and mountain bikers. Whether they choose to live in Lugano because of the splendor of these various sights or due to its role at the leading edge of computer science, this ancient Swiss jewel is guaranteed to make anyone feel as though they are in a city that offers everything that could be desired.