the municipality is first documented in 1171 as "faedo". in german it was previously known as "feit" or "pfaid". crucial for the development of the municipality into a regional center was the location in the middle of the valley and at the foot of the gorge of mount piottino. the mountain was a barrier to passenger and goods transport, which required a stop and facilities for travelers. additionally, under uri's rule (15th-18th century), it was the capital of the levantina and a key to uri's control of the ticino. the meetings of the local head of the levantine (parlamento generale) and the council of the valley community were held in faido.