Switzerland. Canton Ticino. Corippo. Pia Scettrini (left), Gabriela Scettrini (center left), Anita Gaggetta (center right) and Marco Castelli (catholic priest) talk together outside the church after the evening mass. Corippo lies in the Verzasca valley. 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