Yokohama Japan. Yokohama is Japan's largest port city.

The Svoi Lyudi company offers to discover unknown Switzerland: summer holidays in the country of eternal winter entertainments. The perfection of Swiss service combined with Italian cordiality will give a unique charm to the days spent in Ticino.

Canton of Ticino: authentic Swiss quality under the bright Italian sun

On the main traffic artery of St. Gotthard, which links the northern and southern Europe, a unique tourist region, the Canton of Ticino, is comfortably located. Here, the history and culture of two such close territorially, but such dissimilar states, Italy and Switzerland, are closely intertwined. Here, nature surprises with rare combinations, and the inhabitants, with their cordiality and hospitality, create an indescribable atmosphere in which, having plunged once, you will want to return again and again.

A mere 100 km between St. Gotthard and Mendrisiotto, Ticino will present you with the whole spectrum of European landscapes: lakes and alpine valleys, vineyards and ancient castles, sparkling glaciers and rich museums - this is not a complete list of treasures that hides a piece in the heart of the Swiss Alps. Italy. And all this is literally at arm's length from any European city.

Let the gentle Italian sun warm you

Are you used to thinking that Switzerland and the Alps are exclusively winter entertainment and mountain holidays? Visit Ticino in the summer and he will dispel this belief. It has a mild climate and an almost Mediterranean sun, which is much more useful for Europeans than a harsh tropical star - truly a paradise for a person tired of the gray everyday life. Ticino will also surprise you with the choice of summer activities: there are lakes where you can swim, water ski and even windsurf, you can throw a backpack on your shoulders and go to the mountains on foot or by bike! And if you remember that a vacation in the summer will cost 15 percent less, choosing Ticino as the address of your next vacation becomes very attractive.

Necklace of Ticino cities

Ticino is a canton of Switzerland, the latest to join the confederation, but the only one official language here is Italian. Here, the characteristic differences between the Swiss and Italians are closely and intricately intertwined. Holidays in Ticino become special not in last turn thanks to the atmosphere created by the hospitable hosts with true Italian cordiality and the desire for precision and perfection characteristic of the Swiss.

Most famous cities cantona - Bellinzona, Lugano, Ascona, Lorenzo, as gems in designer jewelry, each is filled with its own meaning, each has its own character and habits. At one moment, it seemed familiar, reminiscent of some other city, the next moment it will turn to you with a new, unexpected side and you will rush to fresh impressions.

Fairytale town of Bellinzona

The capital of the canton, the city of Bellinzona, is famous for its fairy-tale castles. In the castle of Castelgrande, the museum, which our compatriots would call local history, demonstrates a historical slide show as the main highlight. Some joke that in fact the main asset of the museum is extraordinary designer chairs, worth more than a thousand dollars apiece ... But this joke does not make the city's castles less beautiful.

Ascona and Lugano

Ascona seems to be a small replica of the world-famous Cannes - the same Mediterranean cafes, a riot of greenery, many boutiques and even the price level. One difference is that the nightlife here is not at all quiet in Cannes, so here Italian Catholicism, unexpectedly united with the Swiss love of order, decided to declare itself. But even here, as it turned out, there is a place where music plays all night long and lights sparkle: very close, in the vicinity of Lugano, there is an Italian enclave - the village of Campione, it is here that the largest and most famous casino in the area operates

Is there a place in Ticino related to Russia? Yes, it was in Lugano that Suvorov's glorious crossing of the Alps began. And some of our compatriots “put down roots” in the foothills of the Alps, tying the knot with the villagers, who probably paved the way to their heart through the stomach. After all, the cuisine here is really simply amazing, it is not without reason that local restaurants are famous, such as Malakoff, which was founded by one of the officers of Alexander Vasilyevich. Lugano is not rich in sights, but very cozy and comfortable. And the presence here of the 4-star Hotel de la Paix makes this town attractive for lovers of contemplative recreation, for example, on the shore of a lake that has the same name as the city.

Locarno

Locarno is strict, refined, ancient, filled with aristocratic solemnity, which is given to it by magnificent churches. But here we are in for a surprise. The street winding between the houses squeezing it, passing around the sleepy square, suddenly shows us the top of a palm tree crowning a quiet Italian courtyard. Very close are the warm lakes of Lago Maggiore and Lago Lugano, with a water temperature of 20 ° C, and in the nearby mountains there are a lot of rapids streams along which you can raft in kayaks. Bicycles, kayaks, water skiing and windsurfing are available for training and rental.

By ordering a tour to Ticino in the company "Your people" you will get an unforgettable experience and the level of comfort you expect. We guarantee you a great holiday at affordable prices.

Ticino - Italian Switzerland. Here the average annual temperature is +12o, there are more sunny days than in Milan (which is much closer than to Bern and Zurich), and dry wine is preferred to beer. And there are also lakes where you can swim, and palm trees with oranges grow on the streets. Do you understand why we are here? Scientists have long argued that sudden changes in climate and the attacks of the tropical (or even Mediterranean) sun are not very useful for residents of harsh latitudes like ours. And leisure on the seas should be preferred to rest in the middle lane. So, let's listen to the scientists. And Switzerland is not even the middle lane. This is well above average.

There are jokes about the inhabitants of the canton of Ticino (Tessin) in Switzerland. Of which the inhabitants of this area appear to be something in between the Chukchi and people of Caucasian nationality. And the guide at Lugano airport first of all inquires: "Have you already heard what they say about us in Geneva and Zurich? So it's all nonsense. We in Ticino are really not the same as in the rest of Switzerland. But do you know why? Because we are better!"

Canton was the last to join the Swiss Confederation, and this accession remained conditional for a long time. Until the valiant Swiss builders laid the highway through the St. Gotthard Pass (and this happened only in 1895), every winter snow filled up all the roads, and Ticino was cut off from his state for almost half a year. It's in the valleys, by the lakes, oranges and palm trees, and in the mountains as in the mountains. It is not difficult to walk to Italy even in the worst weather. In general, Switzerland treats Ticino condescendingly, and has not been surprised for a long time when a wayward canton in all sorts of referendums (which are held in Switzerland on any convenient occasion) votes in a completely different way than the rest. Italians, what to take from them. And Italy treats Ticino with exactly the same bewildered disdain. They are strangers, strangers.

Most bright to that example came shortly after Chernobyl disaster. Then the government European countries, having tracked the direction of the winds and the diagrams of precipitation, strictly prohibited fishing in rivers that could be exposed to radioactive contamination. So, there is a bridge across the river near Lugano. Which starts in Switzerland and ends in Italy. The bite from the bridge is amazing. And the next day after the ban, the Italian side of the bridge, as usual, was completely lined with fishermen. Exactly to the middle, where the border passes. Farther on, on the Ticinese side, not a single person was standing. Well, what are they after that Italians? Yes Swiss clean water! At the same time, every morning and every evening on the roads connecting Ticino with Italy, hefty traffic jams are formed. Italians go to work and return home. They love to work in Ticino, because they are very close, and they pay much more. Yes, and there are plenty of jobs: the residents of Ticino themselves work just right ... Well, they are not eager to work. According to regular surveys, almost a quarter of the able-bodied population does not work here all the time. They don’t really need it: with the Swiss social security system.

By the way, the abundance of Italians in Ticino leads to things that are unthinkable in other parts of Switzerland. If the staff of large hotels or fashionable restaurants nevertheless certainly speaks three or four languages, then in many smaller establishments it is quite possible to stumble upon a concierge or a waiter who does not understand you in either English or French. This, however, will make him even more helpful, and he will break himself into a cake to please you. Sometimes this takes on very funny forms: in Locarno, the waitress of the cutest open-air cafe - a sultry beauty Italian - for about ten minutes could not comprehend that I wanted a cup of coffee, a glass of cognac and a strawberry cake. But, having understood, she brought to all of the above also a hefty plate of bacon - as a gift from the institution ...

Among our compatriots, Lugano, Locarno or Ascona are still clearly less popular than Gstaad or St. Moritz. Which is understandable: for tourists, Switzerland itself is a place of first-class winter recreation. Little is known about her summer charms. And absolutely in vain. If only because summer holidays here are cheaper than winter ones - by 15 percent for sure. At the same time, neither mountains, nor lakes, nor Swiss service, nor the richest museums, as you understand, do not disappear anywhere with the onset of heat.

In addition, Ticino is connected with Russia much more closely than it seems at first glance. For example, the architect Domenico Trezzini, who built in St. Petersburg the Summer Palace of Peter I and the Cathedral Peter and Paul Fortress- no Italian, but a native of Ticino. Yes, and ours also inherited there. It was from here that the legendary passage of Suvorov through the Alps began. In whose honor there is a museum near Lugano that carefully stores weapons, uniforms and a banner personally presented to the city by the field marshal, who soon became generalissimo. True, not the entire army then went to the transition with Alexander Vasilyevich. Many, they say, preferred the heroic death at the Devil's Bridge to marry the surrounding villagers.

Again, there is a very famous restaurant near Lugano called Malakoff. Opened by one of those unheroic but loving officers. The restaurant is very small, with a rustic simple and cozy interior. Nothing here reminds of Suvorov's past; instead of broadswords and cuirasses, the walls are hung with diplomas from numerous world culinary ratings. The cuisine is predominantly Italian and simply amazing.

Of the other sights dear to the Russian heart, one can recall the headquarters of the Mabetex company - already in Lugano itself, very close to the four-star Hotel de la Paix. True, there are no tours there yet, but perhaps it's a matter of time. Moreover, the excess memorable places Lugano just can not boast. Quite modern in terms of building, very cozy and comfortable, this city is more likely to have a lazy rest on the shores of the lake of the same name.

Another thing is Locarno. He is older, and more aristocratic, and stricter. Yes, and more picturesque in addition. Narrow streets meander between majestic churches, coquettishly revealing at times a view of a typical Italian patio with a palm tree in the middle and a scattering of bicycles under it, leading to quiet squares and running down the hills to Lake Maggiore. So we got to the most burning question of any summer holiday. Yes, you can swim in the famous Swiss lakes. And even necessary (although most good hotels, of course, have swimming pools). The average summer air temperature in Ticino is +23o, water in Lago Maggiore and Lago Lugano is about +20o. You can also surf these lakes on water skis or windsurf - rental and training are at your service. You can climb mountains with a backpack or ride bicycles along narrow paths. Kayaking down rapids streams or just staring at the beauty around.

The castles of the capital of Ticino, the city of Bellinzona, for example, are fabulously beautiful. In the largest of them, Castelgrande, there is a local history museum, according to our concepts. The main trump card is small auditorium, which shows a slideshow on the history of the entire area. Considering that the hall is equipped with outlandish designer chairs (with a rotating roller instead of a back) - for about 1200 dollars apiece - the show comes out especially impressive.

Ascona is also good, it seems, consisting of absolutely Mediterranean cafes and boutiques. Just keep in mind that this is the local Cannes, and the price level in boutiques and cafes is also Cannes. But the nightlife here is relatively quiet. Italian Catholicism, multiplied by Swiss law-abidingness, gave its results. But here there is a way out. In the vicinity of Lugano is the village of Campione, which is an enclave of Italy. That is, around Ticino, and here the lyre is in circulation, and the young men go to serve in Italian army. The army, however, is of little help: the population of the whole Campione is a few hundred people. But it is here that the largest and most famous casino in the vicinity is located, in which the music does not stop until the morning and the lights do not go out.

In short, here's what I'll tell you. Hermann Hesse and Erich Maria Remarque lived in Ticino for decades. And if they could not express all the charm of these places, then I, with your permission, will certainly not. Better go and see for yourself. One last piece of advice. Drink local wine. There are many vineyards in Ticino, and Ticino wines are not well known on the world market only because harsh laws, severely limiting the volume of production. But, once you have tasted the Ticinese merlot, you will immediately understand everything. And in the morning I highly recommend caffe corretto. This, of course, is an Italian invention, but in Ticino the drink is distributed almost more widely than in Italy itself. The taste and tonic effect on the body of a cup of the strongest espresso with a few drops of grappa are beyond description. Therefore, I will limit myself to translation: caffe corretto is "correct coffee". You better not say.

Holidays and rest for our people used to be usually associated with the Black or Azov sea, less often with the Baltic. And only advanced test travelers went hiking in the Urals, Altai, Baikal ... At one time, I thought that in the summer it was supposed to go to the sea, lie on the beach, recharge with vitamin D, swim to the point of stupor ... And when my husband, who is not so spoiled by sea, as I (and I was taken to the sea for a month every year, starting from six months), began to insist on lakes and spa resorts, at first I kicked and said: well, you need to go to the sea! And somehow, gradually, the realization came that the sea is not necessary, the main thing is rest, and it can consist not only in vegetable lazy lying in the sun, but also in roaming walks and new impressions ...

Today we are moving to Lugano - the place where we will spend 4 days on Lake Lugano. On one of the days we got out to, on the other, we rode a steamboat all over the lake, the rest of the days we relaxed walking around the city and its environs ... But everything is in order.

A bit of history and culture

Canton Ticino is the only Italian-speaking canton in Switzerland, with a rich military and cultural history. In the Middle Ages, the Franks and the Lombards fought for the lands of Ticino, then these same lands become a battlefield between the bishop of the city of Como and the Duke of Milan. After the final victory, the Dukes of Milan erect the famous castles of Bellinzona. In 1512, Ticino was captured by the troops of the Confederation and annexed to 12 Swiss cantons. In the future, the region lives relatively calmly, but - before the start of wars with the French, when in September 1799 the troops of A.V. Suvorov pass from Lake Lugansk through Ticino to St. French army to connect the Allied armies in the Zurich area.

At the Zurich station, we take the train to Venice. Travel time to Lugano is about 3 hours. The carriages are very similar to the Intercity carriages, on which we traveled around Poland - a compartment for 6 seats with a transparent door, soft seats. The radio announced something in Italian, and I perked up. "Did you understand something?" the husband asks. “No, but I love the sound of Italian so much,” I reply, squinting lazily against the sun. No one sat in our compartment throughout the entire journey, so as soon as the train picked up speed, I fell asleep. The husband was moved, but did not forget to take pictures from the window. Claims to have passed the St. Gotthard Pass.

City walks

Lugano is located on the shores of Lake Ceresio, also known as Lake Lugano, at the foot of two mountains - San Salvatore and Bre. Something subtly resembles Yalta (probably a combination of mountains-water-resort town), but this similarity is only at first glance.

Along the shore there are funny sculptures and installations, and flowers, flowers, flowers ... yachts and boats are splashing at the piers, a large number of swans and smaller waterfowl swim right there. And a little further - a reduced copy of the Geneva fountain - to delight the views of vacationers. For several days that we were resting there, something like a sailing regatta was held on the lake - very spectacular!

Along the promenade we reach the small Piazza Luini. It overlooks the modest facade of the Church of St. Mary (Chiesa di Santa Maria degli Angioli), founded in 1490 as part of a Franciscan monastery. Inside is the most famous Renaissance fresco in Switzerland - The Crucifixion of Christ - above the altar (1529), in the first chapel on the right - The Virgin and Child with St. John." The author of the frescoes is Bernardino Luini, (Bernadino Luini), one of the students of Leonardo da Vinci.

By the way, although Ticino is a Catholic canton, the fact that Lugano is still a resort town leaves its mark: ladies freely walk around the churches in shorts and with bare shoulders, and it seems that the problem of “looking decent” when visiting churches worried only me :)

Via Nassa departs from Piazza Luini, the central pedestrian shopping street of the city. From the rain, numerous tourists are guarded by the arcades of buildings on the right and left, and when one day the rain nevertheless took us by surprise, we spent about an hour on this street, admiring the clock and jewelry. And they sell here not only modern models watches, but also older ones - for example, pre-war Swiss watches, and even watches from the 19th century! It was insanely interesting to look at all this! And in the window of one inconspicuously private bank, a large and stunningly beautiful model of a medieval ship was exhibited.

The main square of the city - Piazza della Riforma, easily recognizable by the smell of cappuccino that hovers here - there are cafes and restaurants around the perimeter, the harsh facades of banks and the majestic building of the Municipality with clocks and sculptures - these are allegories of Religion, Concord, Strength and Freedom. The waters of the lake splash just behind the Palazzo Civico (Palazzo Civico), built in neoclassical style.

Not far from Piazza della Riforma, the city funicular goes up, which goes directly to the station. It costs 1.10 francs. per person one way, for us - free of charge (with a travel pass). Even if you don’t need to go to the station, I advise you to take a ride - the city gradually goes down, and at the same time the rising lake and mountains - a stunning visual effect, and the views from there are beautiful.

From Piazza della Riforma, through narrow streets going up, we climb to Cathedral Lugano. San Lorenzo (Cattedrale San Lorenzo) inside is gloomy and mysterious, on the walls there are late Gothic frescoes (XIV-XVI centuries), Renaissance bas-reliefs, Baroque murals by the Torricelli brothers and elegant Rococo sculptures. Everything is magnificent and pleasing to the eye, but it cannot be compared with the Roman ones, of course. It is interesting how the Pope found the cathedral when he visited it in 1984.

There are several other churches in the city that deserve attention - for example, the Church of St. Anthony - on Piazza Dante, with an elegant baroque facade, where frescoes by the Torricelli brothers and paintings by Petrini are inside.

We sit on a bench in front of the cathedral, from here you can see the city roofs and the saucer of the lake at a glance, there is a strong smell of flowers, some kind of evening, those that begin to smell especially fragrant at dusk. Works somewhere jackhammer, but this does not spoil the impression, but reminds us that we are in the city center. Yesterday, on Sunday, there were no people on the streets, now it is quite crowded, as if everyone came to life on Monday, or their work takes place on the street.

Located in the upper part of the city Loreta- small and pretty ancient church with an arched portico and surrounded by soaring cypresses. It is very quiet and peaceful here, inside it smells a little damp. Adjoining the temple is the padre's house, with lace curtains and geraniums, and an old lady with a dog talks to the owner at the entrance.

While walking along the streets of the city, we saw something like a local higher educational institution, and laughed at the phrase "Lugansk University" that came to mind :)

It is noticed that the mood improves dramatically when you eat something tasty! A typical local food establishment is called a "grotto". Oh, what homemade deliciousness! Some sausages, from which you swallow your tongue, polenta (something like hominy), mushrooms, rabbit meat, kazzela (a dish of cabbage and pork). One of the traditional local dishes is bread cake, and I even have a recipe for it somewhere. And the cheese! We advise you to try formagini, you will not regret it (no matter how banal this phrase is).

Chiani Park(Parco Ciani) is also a local attraction. The graceful pink villa once belonged to the Ciani brothers, who opened the first printing house, the first hotel, the first kindergarten in Lugano in the 19th century. Now here is the Art Museum of the city. True, we didn’t visit any of the local museums - we didn’t feel like it, and it would be inhumane to force ourselves to walk through the halls, examining the exhibits. Directly in front of the villa, three columns are stuck into the ground in a green lawn, as if eaten by moths. No, I will never understand modern art!

Entrance to the park is free, and in good weather there are many people here, especially cheerful German pensioners. Delicious ice cream is sold at the entrance. I argued with my husband whether Italian ice cream tastes better, but it's a thankless task to compare impressions, especially from ice cream :)

Everywhere there are flower beds and well cut grass. We did not find the promised botanical delights (and we are not such specialists to understand at a glance that this is a unique plant), trees are like trees, we often saw them, well, the fig is big and beautiful, but the same, only a little smaller, I have on one of the loggias lives. And the same flowers of petunias, begonias, grow in in large numbers in a country "estate" (mother-in-law is fond of). But when there is a lot of this, it is sensibly planted, and even sunny and the lake sways nearby - oh, good!

As I already wrote, San Salvatore- This is one of the mountains at the foot of which the city is located. On the funicular, you can climb to a height of 912 meters and see for yourself what it means "at the foot" - it is impossible to describe it, you need to see it.

The view on the observation deck is 360 degrees, and the panorama of the mountains and the lake is impressive. The ascent and descent cost 20 francs per person (our magic tickets turned out to be invalid), the funicular driver is the cashier, so don't be surprised if you come to the lower station and there is no one there - you need to wait until the trailer goes down. At the cash desk, postcards with this very panoramic view are sold, for 1 franc. The trailer crawls slowly, but if you are afraid of heights, like me, do not look down while driving - you may feel dizzy.

In addition to the “automated” climb up the mountain, we went up and walked around the city in the mountains ourselves, not a kilometer high, of course, but still high! The mysterious tower with battlements on the side of the mountain, which attracted our eyes for 3 days and gave birth to the most daring and crazy versions, turned out to be private property, and we could not even remotely guess what it was. We, though arrogant faces, but honor the Criminal Code. Especially the Swiss limited themselves to shooting the tower at a safe distance.

Higher on the slopes of the mountains, pensions and hotels turn into private villas and apartment buildings. Cars in the yards, playgrounds, small gardens and flower beds, nothing unusual, only the views are very beautiful. At some point, a fairly decent tourist trail becomes narrower and narrower, and finally turns into a path overgrown with some kind of weeds, blocked off by a metal fence. We didn’t go further - you never know why they blocked it - suddenly wild animals are found there :)

Walk along the Lugansk lake

At some point, we were ashamed that we had gone "only" to Bellinzona, and were too lazy to go to Locarno and Ascona, and look at Monte Verita, and decided to take a 3.5-hour walk along Lake Ceresio (Lugansk). We went out to the lake and boarded a steamboat (for us, of course, it was free, but in general it cost something like 20 francs per person).

The nature is wonderful, only the breeze occasionally blew mercilessly - in gusts. While the sun was shining, it was even pleasant, but when the sun was hiding, I wanted to hide somewhere myself, although it was my own fault - I advise everyone to take a blouse, and then I went in a sundress with an open back.

If we leave the weather outside the scope of the narrative, then the walk is very pleasant. Italy begins across the lake from Lugano, and some stations of our mini-cruise were on Italian territory - you can probably just get off and walk, no checkpoint or anything remotely resembling passport control was visible there, but we did not dare to violate the border .

From the boat, we admired the Church of St. Mary on Morcote, everything is in full view, the boat passes very close to the shore. Actually, Morcote- an old suburb, which in the Middle Ages was the port of Lugano. The Morcote fishermen had the right to sell fish in Milan and enjoyed many benefits granted to them by the Duke of Milan. The main church of Morcote - Santa Maria del Sasso (Chiesa di Santa Maria del Sasso) of the 16th century, decorated with Renaissance frescoes, and the chapel of St. Anthony of Padua - places not only to entertain the eyes of tourists, but also centers of pilgrimage. To get to them, you need to overcome 404 steps. “I won’t say that this is a feat, but there is something heroic about it!”

Ride on steamboats - a year ahead! When we got ashore, it even swayed a little.

What else to see in Lugano

In addition to the three castles of Bellinzona listed by UNESCO, Ticino has another site added to the list in 2003 - the natural massif of Monte San Giorgio, located south of Lake Lugano - a unique place for geologists and other scientists. Rare fossils are perfectly preserved here, which makes it possible to fully explore the life of the Earth in the Triassic period of the Mesozoic era. "Mountain of lizards" in the form of a pyramid rises above Lugansk Lake. Thousands of skeletons of ancient marine animals from the order of fish and lizards were found here, some exhibits can be seen in the small paleontological museum of the village of Meride.

Fox Town Shopping Center - 130 stores selling famous brands with 30-70% discounts - www.foxtown.ch
Information about events held in Ticino - www.ticino-tourism.ch
Monte San Salvatore (www.montesansalvatore.ch) and Monte Bre and (www.montebre.ch).

Montebello Castle was built in the 13th century as the residence of the influential Rusca family from Como. For many centuries, the fortress withstood all sieges with pride. At that time, the fortress was considered the most powerful and well-equipped fortress, quite ready for military operations.

The fortress was built in the form of an irregular rhombus with high walls ending with battlements in the shape of a swallow's tail. The architecture of the building is characteristic of the Alpine region and attracts lovers of the Middle Ages.

In the courtyard of the castle there is a functioning well built in the 13th century. There is also a chapel of the Holy Archangel. Michael XVII century. Now the castle houses the City Museum, representing the archaeological and historical collections of medieval weapons and paintings.

Like all other castles of Bellinzona, Montebello Fortress is on the list world heritage UNESCO.

Church of St. Mary

The ancient church of St. Mary is located in Ticino, Switzerland. Thanks to its unique frescoes of the 16th century, which were painted by Bernardino Luini, a student of Leonardo da Vinci, it is one of the main attractions of the city. The temple was built by the Franciscans in 1499-1515. During the Reformation, it came under the rule of the ruling Milanese bishops.

The frescoes are not just a wonderful decoration of the temple, but turn it into an illustration of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. All the walls of the church are covered with biblical images. The Passion of the Christ fresco is located directly above the altar, on its right side is the Madonna and Child, and on the left is the Last Supper. If you come closer to the altar, then consider the views of Golgotha ​​and Jerusalem on the fresco.

The ancient church of St. Mary in 1838 was part of a closed monastery, its high walls were decorated with symbols military victories Alfalfa - depictions of various flags. In the center of the altar, a canvas was placed, which depicts a scene of shepherds worshiping the infant Christ. The attention of all visitors is always directed to the wonderful wooden pulpit, which was created in 1628.

What sights of Ticino did you like? There are icons next to the photo, by clicking on which you can rate a particular place.

Verzasca Valley

The valley of the green river, called Verzasca, is very calm and beautiful. From the name of the village of Lavertetso, the river is often called green-water.

The water in the river is icy and swimming in it is forbidden, but people still like to visit this place and swim in the river. In the center of the valley lies a stone bridge built in the 16th century.

The place became famous because of an avalanche that once descended on a neighboring village and completely buried it under itself. This sad event is reminded by a red mark on the church, indicating the thickness and height of the snow.

In the valley, you can also look at the 200-meter-high dam from which James Bond jumped in the movie Goldeneye. This place is often chosen by cameramen and directors for filming their films. The valley is loved not only by operators, but also by thrill-seekers, as well as vacationers who come here to enjoy the crystal clear emerald green waters of the Verzasca River and beautiful forests. There are special washed places in the rocks - baths in which people like to swim.

Lake Luhansk, located at an altitude of 271 meters above sea level, is one of the highest and warmest lakes in Switzerland. The lake is 33 kilometers long and 3 kilometers wide. It is divided into many bays and branches, which are inhabited by trout, eels, tench and other fish, which are often served in local cafes and restaurants.

Many hotels, boutiques, cafes and restaurants have been built on the shores of the lake, near which tourists and locals relax. Here they play golf, ride yachts, go in for windsurfing and other water sports. The water in August warms up to +24 degrees, and real kiwi and bananas grow on the shore of the lake, which makes it possible for every tourist to feel in southern country with eternal warmth.

The southern coast of Lake Luhansk is considered one of the most expensive places in Switzerland, which is why the richest people in Europe live here.

Church of St. Anthony

The Church of St. Anthony the Great, also known as the famous royal chapel, is located near central square Ticino in Switzerland. This is a small cozy church built by the order of Ferdinand VI in the Baroque style.

The construction of the temple was completed in 1354 on the site of the square of the same name. In the second half of the 17th century, it was restored and a high bell tower was completed. The interior of the church was decorated with pilasters, colored marble and niches made in the neoclassical style.

The wooden crucifix of the 16th century, located in the altar of the chapel of the Holy Crucifixion and the wooden Gothic statue of the Mother of God of the 15th century, located in the altar of the chapel of the Madonna of Grace, are the main shrines of the church. The chapel was made in the form of a majestic one-story rotunda, crowned with a small turret, from which perpendicular columned porticoes diverge. To get here, you need to overcome 404 steps.

St. Gotthard Pass

There is a place in the Alps that is closely connected with history Russian state. This is the Saint Gotthard Pass. Several rivers also originate at this point, making the pass an important watershed in the region. Since the 13th century, the first permanent road has been preserved here, along which you can now walk or drive by bus, enjoying the stunning view of the mountains.

In addition to the beauties of nature, here you can also see medieval exhibits presented in the National Museum of Saint Gotthard. Its exposition will tell all the secrets of the region and show how people lived here in the old days.

locals also keep the memory of how the army of A.V. Suvorov crossed the Alps, and took the St. Gotthard Pass with a fight. A monument to the great commander was erected here, and a 12-meter Orthodox cross was carved into the rock.

Nearby is another attraction associated with the victory of Suvorov - the Devil's Bridge. From the bridge you can see a stormy river and a steep gorge.

Castle of Sasso Corbaro

The castle of Sasso Corbaro houses a museum, a "wooden hall", an observation tower and a donjon. The castle is on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

The castle is located on the high point rocky hill on the left bank of the Ticino river. The fortress was built in the 15th century by the Florentine architect Benedetto Ferrini. In those days, all castles were included in one system of fortifications, but only Sasso Corbaro was secluded high in the mountains. AT Peaceful time The fortress housed a prison.

During its existence, the castle was gradually destroyed and after reconstruction was used as a hotel. In 1919 the castle was returned to the state.

Inside the castle, you can look at the rectangular courtyard and living quarters, which have preserved the hearth, kitchen, sewerage system of the 15th century. On the observation tower the famous wooden hall of the 17th century is located, which is completely made of walnut wood.

Are you curious to know how well you know the sights of Ticino? .

Mount San Salvatore

San Salvatore, 925 meters high, is located in the Lepontine Alps. It has been popular since the 13th century.

Previously, at this place, pilgrims made their way to honor the memory of the Son of God, who, according to legend, stopped on the mountain during his ascension to heaven. Now the mountain has lost its historical and religious significance, but is still popular among tourists. Picturesque views of the mountains and the lake cannot leave anyone indifferent.

In 1890, a funicular was built on the mountain at the initiative of the lawyer Antonio Battaglini. In the same year, regular transportation of the population began. In 1986, a terrace and a dining room were opened for visitors to the funicular. In 1999, the Museum of the history of the development of the funicular was opened on the mountain.

From the top of San Salvatore you can descend to Carona and then to the village of Morcote.

The most popular attractions in Ticino with descriptions and photos for every taste. Choose the best places to visit the famous places of Ticino on our website.

The special charm of the province of Ticino is given by the unique nature: calm valleys, lush southern vegetation, lakes and quiet cities who do not know the fuss major metropolitan areas. Due to the mild climate, Ticino is often called the "sunny living room of Switzerland". A real warm spring here begins in March, and lasts sunny days until the end of November.

by the most major city province is Lugano, a picturesque town located on the shores of the bay of the same name. To travelers, it is very reminiscent of a miniature Naples. Among the attractions of the resort town, it is worth highlighting the Cathedral of San Lorenzo, the Cantonal Museum of Art, the main city park and Villa Ciani, as well as Villa Favorita. No less popular is the resort town of Locarno. You should start sightseeing with a visit to the Madonna del Sasso hill. A large observation deck is equipped on the hill, from which the city and the coast are visible at a glance.

The best place there will be foothill areas for hiking and hiking: alpine pastures, forest hills and lakes - you simply cannot find a more peaceful and secluded place to relax. Fishing enthusiasts will be interested in visiting the surroundings of Lugano, it is here that cozy fishing villages. Local residents will gladly provide tourists with all the necessary fishing equipment for rent, and there are more than enough fishing spots here. Boat trips on local lakes are very popular - this is another exciting way to get acquainted with the inhabitants of the local flora and fauna. Copyright www.site

A lot of interesting excursions and activities are offered by the city of Ascona, which has several large pedestrian zones, parks, museums, theaters and entertainment centers. Happy most of vacationers gather on the embankment, where you can relax in one of the summer cafes or go for a walk on the boat. Throughout the city, shoppers can find small luxury boutiques, souvenir and antique shops, as well as colorful markets. On the waterfront, everyone can sign up for an excursion to Brissag Island. The island has a magnificent Botanical Garden, which represents the richest collection of tropical plants. These are just some of the places in the province of Ticino that will be of interest to inquisitive travelers.

Ticino is considered a great holiday destination for fans of extreme entertainment. In the immediate vicinity of Locarno there is a steel viaduct, whose height is 75 meters. Since 1993, it has been attracting fans of bungee jumping. For this type of entertainment, the bridge is available during the warm season. The bridge passes over the gorge of the Isorno River, these places are very picturesque and also attract fans of hiking.

Nearby is the beautiful village of Intragna, considered the highest settlement in Ticino. The village is interesting for its surviving old buildings. A beautiful church, founded in 1775, has survived here. On the outskirts of the village there is a medieval bridge, through which you can get to the territory of the village of Raza. She is one of the most isolated settlements not only in the region, but also in the country, not all experienced tourists know about the existence of the village. This village attracts with its unique original atmosphere. Here you can also admire the historical buildings, as well as ride the cable car.