Beyond the Border: The 175 Swiss Crossings in an Exhibition (cross-border guide)

Di Valerie Linc · Published on

Photographer Gabriele Spalluto has captured all border posts. A project that questions frontalieri about the value of places like Brogeda and Gaggiolo.

Contesto

TL;DR - Photography project 'Hic Sunt Leones' explores Swiss borders' meaning. - Exhibition in Lugano from Feb 3 to May 2, 2026. - 175 border crossings photographed, highlighting liminal spaces. ## Key facts - Project Title: 'Hic Sunt Leones' by Gabriele Spalluto - Exhibition Dates: February 3, 2026 to May 2, 2026 - Exhibition Location: Canvetto Luganese - Fondazione Diamante, Molino Nuovo - Number of Crossings: 175 crossings with service offices - Photography Period: March 2022 to March 2023 - Opening Event: February 18, 2026 with artist dialogue - Tax Agreement: New tax agreement between Italy and Switzerland effective from 2024 - Currency Impact: Swiss franc-euro exchange rate fluctuations affect purchasing power For tens of thousands of cross-border workers, or frontalieri, it's a daily ritual. A passage, often hurried, that marks the beginning and end of the workday. But what does a border crossing truly represent? Is it just an administrative line or a place laden with meaning? The photography project "Hic Sunt Leones" by Gabriele Spalluto, which will be exhibited in Lugano starting February 3, 2026, addresses these questions. Between March 2022 and March 2023, Spalluto undertook a systematic journey along the Swiss borders, photographing all 175 crossings that housed a service office. From heavily trafficked ones like Chiasso-Brogeda and Ponte Tresa to smaller, almost forgotten ones, each shot captures the essence of these liminal spaces. The result is a collection of images that, as the event presentation describes, "question us on the symbolic and practical value of such places: anonymous on one hand, full of value on the other." ## A Project that Speaks to Frontalieri The exhibition, hosted at the Canvetto Luganese - Fondazione Diamante in Molino Nuovo, i...

Dettagli operativi

The project "Hic Sunt Leones" (literally "here be lions," a phrase used on ancient maps to indicate unexplored territories) takes on particular importance in the current socio-economic context of Ticino. The border is no longer just a geographical line but a complex web of regulations, agreements, and perceptions that are constantly changing. ## The Border as a Political and Economic Space For a frontaliere, the crossing represents the point of contact between two very different economic and fiscal realities. It is the place where the effects of the new tax agreement between Italy and Switzerland, effective from 2024, materialize, redesigning the rules for 'new' frontalieri. It is the thermometer of the Swiss franc-euro exchange rate fluctuations, which directly impact purchasing power and salary value. And it is, unfortunately, also the stage for political tensions, such as those related to the recent introduction of the controversial 'health tax' by the Italian government. > The images question us on the symbolic and practical value of such places: anonymous on one hand, full of value on the other. Spalluto's photography, in its apparent neutrality, captures this complexity. An empty customs office, a road sign, a metal barrier: mundane elements that become powerful symbols of the challenges and opportunities associated with cross-border work. The exhibition thus becomes a mirror in which the frontalieri community can recognize its own experience, made up of routine but also of constant adaptations to an evolving regulatory framework.

Punti chiave

Visiting this exhibition can be an enlightening experience, a way to look with different eyes at a place that is part of one's daily life. It is an invitation to reflect on what 'border' means in 2026, in a Europe of open frontiers but with increasingly complex and specific regulations. ## Practical Advice and Economic Reflections Beyond the artistic and symbolic reflection, crossing the border remains a profoundly practical act with immediate economic consequences. Every frontaliere knows well that their financial well-being depends on a series of variables that materialize at the very moment they receive their payslip in Swiss francs. 💡 Checklist for the Frontaliere: - Check the impact of the new tax agreement: Are you an 'old' or 'new' frontaliere? The taxation rules change radically. - Monitor the exchange rate: Even minor fluctuations can have a big impact on your net salary in euros. - Understand your payslip: Are you familiar with all deductions (AVS/AI/IPG, LPP, withholding tax)? While Spalluto's art offers us a higher perspective, daily reality requires concrete tools to navigate the economic complexity of working in Ticino. Understanding exactly how much of your gross salary will become net pay is the first step towards effective financial planning. For this reason, tools like our net salary calculator become essential for having a clear and precise view of your finances. (Source: Ticinonline, 18.02.2026)

Punti chiave

[{"q":"What are the Swiss border crossings photographed by the 'Hic Sunt Leones' project?","a":"Between March 2022 and March 2023, Gabriele Spalluto photographed all 175 border crossings that housed a service office along the Swiss borders."},{"q":"What is the impact of the new 2024 tax agreement on taxes for new Switzerland-Italy cross-border commuters?","a":"The new tax agreement in force from 2024 changes the taxation rules for new cross-border commuters, potentially increasing taxation in Italy for Swiss salaries, especially for higher ones, with possible impacts on income reporting in both countries."},{"q":"How do I calculate the net salary in Swiss francs for an Italian cross-border commuter?","a":"From a gross of CHF 6,000, the standard withholdings apply: AHV 5.3%, IV 1.1%, BVG 7% and withholding tax 10%. The net is approximately CHF 4,800; converting at the rate of 0.92 EUR/CHF yields approximately 4.416 EUR per month."},{"q":"Which health insurance policies do I need to have as a Switzerland-Italy cross-border commuter?","a":"The cross-border commuter must take out Swiss basic insurance (KVG) if he works more than 25% in Switzerland, or maintain the coverage of the Italian SSN with the cross-border extension. The average premium is 300 CHF per month, with a deductible of 300 CHF and 10% co-payment for visits and medications."},{"q":"How does the reimbursement of the public transport ticket for cross-border commuters work?","a":"The Canton of Ticino reimburses 50% of the cost of the monthly ticket, up to a maximum of CHF 150. To access the benefit, it is necessary to present the cross-border identification card, payment receipts and the declaration of travel days by 31 March of each year."}]

Frequently Asked Questions
What are the Swiss border crossings photographed by the 'Hic Sunt Leones' project?
Between March 2022 and March 2023, Gabriele Spalluto photographed all 175 border crossings that housed a service office along the Swiss borders.
What is the impact of the new 2024 tax agreement on taxes for new Switzerland-Italy cross-border commuters?
The new tax agreement in force from 2024 changes the taxation rules for new cross-border commuters, potentially increasing taxation in Italy for Swiss salaries, especially for higher ones, with possible impacts on income reporting in both countries.
How do I calculate the net salary in Swiss francs for an Italian cross-border commuter?
From a gross of CHF 6,000, the standard withholdings apply: AHV 5.3%, IV 1.1%, BVG 7% and withholding tax 10%. The net is approximately CHF 4,800; converting at the rate of 0.92 EUR/CHF yields approximately 4.416 EUR per month.
Which health insurance policies do I need to have as a Switzerland-Italy cross-border commuter?
The cross-border commuter must take out Swiss basic insurance (KVG) if he works more than 25% in Switzerland, or maintain the coverage of the Italian SSN with the cross-border extension. The average premium is 300 CHF per month, with a deductible of 300 CHF and 10% co-payment for visits and medications.
How does the reimbursement of the public transport ticket for cross-border commuters work?
The Canton of Ticino reimburses 50% of the cost of the monthly ticket, up to a maximum of CHF 150. To access the benefit, it is necessary to present the cross-border identification card, payment receipts and the declaration of travel days by 31 March of each year.

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