[1][2] The village of Brè was first recorded in 1280 as de Bre, and for most of its history has lived by agriculture and livestock.

Trasporti Pubblici Luganesi (TPL) bus route 12 operates along this road from Lugano city centre to Brè village, with one or two buses per hour.

[5][6] The parish church of Saints Simon and Fedele is first mentioned in 1591, in an account of a visit by Feliciano Ninguarda, then bishop of Como.

It is believed, however, to date back to medieval times, and the tower, located in the southeast corner of the basilica, has Romanesque blind arches on its base.

The church contains artistic works from different eras, including 17th-century frescos and 20th-century paintings by Jozeph Birò, a Hungarian painter and one-time resident of the village.