Ticino- Italy in Switzerland

Ticino

In this part of Switzerland everything is all quite different. And not only that the inhabitants of Ticino speak Italian. In the region with unusually mixes up the best solutions in Italy, the Swiss beauty, respect for nature and love of tradition. The first thing to remember those who cross the legendary Gotthard pass and turn in Ticino – an abundance of greenery and sunshine.

Accustomed to the gray cloud cover weekdays its visitors have difficulties to believe that in the neighborhood of Lago Maggiore (the so-called largest and most beautiful lake of the canton) and in the lovely town of Ascona there are 2,300 hours of sunshine a year, while the average temperature for the entire year is around 12.5 degree of Celsius. Palm trees, pines, flower abundance, even indispensable in the cold season, a riot of colors and flavors are the brand features of Ticino.

Subtropics of Lugano

Switzerland is least associated with palm trees, subtropical climate, flowering gardens and orange groves. But this does not apply to the Ticino and its most famous city of Lugano. To enjoy the plenty of this sunny city it’s worth a stroll through the old center, looking at the shop windows, or just sit in a cafe, sipping wonderfully delicious coffee. Travelling in Lugano by car is not easy: the road to the south is often very loaded because of traffic jams, and to find parking, especially on weekends, it becomes a real challenge.

Fortunately for tourists, the center of Lugano is not so great and it is convenient to navigate on foot. The overall architecture of Lugano is much more like Italian, which is typical for a neighboring Lombardy. One of the most beautiful churches of Ticino is located near the main street of the city, Trade Via Nassa, and is called Santa Maria Degli Angioli – it is preserved to the frescoes pupil of Leonardo da Vinci – Bernardo Luini. The most unusual monument in Ticino, perhaps, can be called the creation of the fashionable architect Mario Botta. On the top of the Mount Tamaro is a very unusual church, with striking appearance- creating optical illusions. And besides, from the foot of the church there is a magnificent view of the lake, the city and the Alps.

Lugano is a real paradise for shopping. The famous Via Nassa will appreciate the abundance of a variety of shops – from the famous designer to cozy antique shops and boutiques of catering. Special attention is given to the markets of Lugano. Local farmers bring here what they brought up and prepared by their own hands, and often this is where you can find the most delicious cheese, jerky and summer sausage, and incredibly tasty bread and a lot of edible specialties. Most markets are located in the heart of the city and are working in the mornings. On Tuesdays and Fridays to noon on the Piazza Della Riforma there is an open market for flowers, fruits and vegetables. And yet perhaps the most important thing in Lugano – is an incredible feeling of a combination of mild climate, scenery, atmosphere and rhythm of the modern city.

Mini-Switzerland

When the familiarity with the sights of the city will get a little bit exhausting, it is the best time to sit on the boat and go to Melyd. The Park “Mini-Switzerland” works from 14 March to 25 October, daily from 9.00 to 18.00. After paying for the ticket around 15 francs (For children over 6 years- 10 francs), you can move into a real fairy tale and feel like the Gulliver in Lilliput. The park is completely assembled to reproduce copies of the 120 greatest monuments of Switzerland.

Castles, cathedrals, old houses in 1:25 scale, and certainly not without its locomotives. The park is represented in a 3500 meters railroad, 18 different types of trains, cable cars, lifts and other achievements of engineering thought. The most difficult thing in “miniature Switzerland”  is to tear children from watching and playing. As to the girls and their mothers , they will admire the abundance of flowers and greenery: the park is growing more than 1500 kinds of different plants and at least 15000 colors.

City Locks

At one time, each of the major cities of Ticino alternately becomes a primary. So capital of the Italian part of Switzerland moved from Bellinzona to Lugano and Locarno, until the end of XIX century it was agreed that the capital of the canton will still be Bellinzona. Bellinzona is not too big, but the city of Bellinzona is very interesting and is known since 590 AD. In Bellinzona has a history of many centuries: the town was located at the crossroads of trade routes and roads. Castles of Bellinzona was one of the most powerful fortifications in Switzerland. Since 2000 it has been taken under the protection by UNESCO for the monuments of medieval military architecture.

The most beautiful of castles is Castello di Montebello – located in the eastern part of the valley at a height of 90 meters above the city. The entrance of the mountain begins with a drawbridge. In the archaeological museum in the castle you can see the exhibits from the Roman Empire, medieval and ancient weapons. The fans of the chivalry films and romantic atmosphere of the Middle Ages will appreciate a restaurant and furnishings of the castle Castello Sasso Corbar. It is also worth it to visit the oldest castle of Ticino – Castel Grande –to evaluate the well-preserved walls and panoramic surroundings. Around the “main” or “large” castle (as translated Castelgrande) you will find the remains of the ancient settlements, which have a history of 6000 years. Earlier this castle fortress wall was covering the entire valley and defending the strategically important mountain pass, today it is a little bit shorter.

Natural treasures

In the summer time it is much better to explore the Ticino, navigating on the bicycles or on foot. The most scenic route is in the valley of Verzaska. This place is one of the most beautiful in Switzerland and Ticino, and is perfect for the nature lovers. The first thing that strikes the tourists – is the emerald green waters of the river Verzaska, carved in the rock caves and the natural “bath”. Among the most photographed places is the picturesque double bridge of Ponte dei Salt in the village Lavertetstso.If you have the time and effort it is worth a stroll along the river to the top of the valley, to appreciate the beauty of village Brion, which creates a work of art. At a special route Sentiero dell’arte (the road of art) you will witness the exhibit works by local artists and sculptors.

The most daring ones will not stand the temptation to bathe in the natural “Jacuzzi” and jump into the refreshing waters of the River. It is in these areas at the dam of Verzaska and Lake Lago di Vogorno that was shot one of a series of James Bond: James Bond in Golden Eye (the role was acted by Pierce Brosnan), jumping from a height of 220 meters, the legs tied by elastic band. Today anyone can repeat the trick: the Flight 007 Bungee Jump lasts for 7 and a half seconds. The explosion of adrenaline and thrills are guaranteed.