the local culture or replaced the rest with Roman elements. However, it appears that there was no Roman ruling class, which could have dominated the local population.
Capitanei di Locarno
The Capitanei, were a group of noble families that led Locarno. The term is first mentioned in a document granting market rights to the town by Emperor Frederick I in 1164. This title was originally only the direct vassals of the king's fief. The lower vassals were known as valvassores, but could have been awarded the title of Capitanei as a special concession. The Capitanei were probably descendants of the old Lombard noble Da Besozzo family from the county of Seprioio. Around 1000, the family was granted a fief in Locarno by the schismatic Bishop of Como Landolfo da Carcano. The Capitanei were given the right of management of Church property entrusted to the pieve, they had the rights of immunity and coercion, but were not owners of the village cooperatives' (Vicini) land, with the exception of the churches and royal estates. They did not have the right of high justiceso their political power was limited. However, they played an important role in the 13th and 14th century conflicts between the Guelphs and Ghibellines and in the wars between Como and Milan.
In Locarno, at the Reformation, two of the three great feudal families of capitanei: Muralto and Orelli emigrated to Z�rich. A branch of Muralt was established in Bern. The third great family, Magoria, remained in Locarno.
The Capitanei retained a role in Locarno's politics until 1798. In 1803, the lands and rights of the Capitanei were integrated into the political municipality of Locarno.
Early Locarno
Starting in the Lombard period (after 569), the area around Locarno (and presumably the town) was part of the county Stazzona and later the Mark of Lombardy. Locarno is first mentioned in 807 as Leocarni. In German, it came to be known as Luggarus, Lucarius, Lucaris.It is
