The Collegio Papio is a roman-catholic school in Ascona, founded in 1585 by Cardinal Carlo Borromeo, thank to the funding of Bartolomeo Papio. The Collegio Papio constantly ranks as one of the best schools in Switzerland and offers the prestigious Swiss federal matriculation certificate (MaturitĂ  federale svizzera) after 4 years of "Scuola media" and 4 years of "Liceo". Former students include Swiss Presidents, Swiss cabinet ministers, High-ranking officials of the United Nations, the European Union and the OECD, Member of the Ticino cantonal Government and CEOs of some of the world's leading companies. Internationally recognized physicians, artists, authors, professors and professional athletes also studied at the Collegio Papio. The buildings and the church are among the most beautiful buildings the Swiss State of Ticino is constantly visited by tourists from allover the world.