Switzerland. Canton Ticino. Corippo lies in the Verzasca valley. Pia Scettrini (left) and Gabriela Scettrini (right) during the evening mass. With a population of just 16, Corippo is the smallest municipality in Switzerland. Despite this, it possesses the trappings of communities many times its size such as its own coat of arms, a town council consisting of three local citizens (Pia Scettrini as vice mayor) and a village church. A town council is a democratically elected form of government for small municipalities. A council may serve as both the representative and executive branch. The village has maintained its status as an independent entity since its incorporation in 1822. 8.05.13 © 2013 Didier Ruef