Ticino is a land of contrasts: from the traditional granite architecture in the valleys and the mountains, there are the churches in the region's valleys (the Romanesque churches of Giornico and Negrentino in the Blenio Valley are particularly important), to the numerous Baroque residences in the towns and villages around the lakes. Nowadays, Ticino is known for its modern architecture, a hotbed of talent that has produced internationally famous names such as Mario Botta, Aurelio Galfetti, Luigi Snozzi and Livio Vacchini. To encourage the Ticino people's passion for architecture, the Mendrisio Academy of Architecture was founded in 1996, where the architects of the future are being trained.