On the border between Italian and Swiss territory, precisely in Canton Ticino, on the northern shore of Lake Maggiore, in the heart of the Lugano Prealps, the small town of Locarno appears to the visitor as an enchanted village immersed in uncontaminated nature, between the lake and the mountains which give it a particularly extraordinary and evocative landscape. It is a destination full of tourist and cultural attractions and thanks to its mild climate it is possible to visit it at any time of the year, in fact both in winter and in summer you never get bored and you can enjoy multiple activities.
The pride of Locarno is the Piazza Grande, symbol of the city and place where important demonstrations and events take place among colorful buildings and historical monuments, such as the famous Locarno film Festival, on stage since 1946, one of the oldest film festivals in the world together with Venice and Cannes, which takes place in the month of August, whose films are projected on a huge outdoor screen set up in the Square or the Moom and Stars, in July, a great music festival that every year welcomes the great stars of rock and pop music worldwide.
In the Piazza Grande, fascinating in its Renaissance style from which the narrow streets lead to the historic center at the foot of the Cimetta hill, there are many wonderful buildings, one above all the Town Hall, with its Italian-style arcades and mid-1636th century Civic Tower. A little further on you come across the seventeenth-century Chiesa Nuova, in baroque style founded by the noble Cristoforo Orelli and consecrated in 1600 and the Casa dei Canonici and formerly Palazzo Ortelli, a three-storey building built in the early XNUMXs.
Furthermore, here in the square, a characteristic open-air market is held on Thursdays, with dozens of stalls displaying souvenirs and characteristic local craft products, fabrics, woolen creations, wooden and ceramic objects and Ticino gastronomic products. One of the most interesting attractions of Locarno is certainly the Visconti Castle, on the edge of the old city dating back to the 12th century, today home to the archaeological Museum, known internationally for its renowned collection of Roman glass and artefacts dating back to the Bronze Age up to the Early Middle Ages.
But also the old city, with its intriguing atmosphere, the numerous narrow and cobbled alleys and its pastel-coloured houses, hosts some of the most beautiful buildings in the city, such as Casa Rusca, an eighteenth-century stately residence restored and inaugurated in 1987 with its splendid internal loggias which today houses the Locarno Art Gallery, where the art collections owned by the city of Locarno are kept. Also not to be missed is Casorella, part of the Castello Visconteo complex, used as an exhibition space for temporary exhibitions; Palazzo Morettini, now the Cantonal library; the House of the Necromancer is a characteristic example of a local noble residence.
Among the buildings of worship, the Church of San Francesco, which features a Romanesque-inspired façade and the Church of Sant'Antonio, in neoclassical style with a grandiose marble altar and stucco frescoes by Orelli from the 18th century. In the streets of the center it is also possible to taste excellent local specialties in the typical family-run restaurants and taverns while for lovers of nightlife the main streets of the historic center offer various pubs, bars, clubs and discos with parties and entertainment until late at night .
Anyone who visits Locarno cannot fail to benefit from all the beauty of the Park of the Camellias with 950 varieties of camellias, walking along its flower-filled avenues in contact with nature and at the same time enjoying a spectacular view of Lake Maggiore. Furthermore, for several years, in spring during the flowering period, the prestigious "Camelie Locarno" event has been held which brings many passionate visitors to the city. Nothing could be more beautiful than a walk on the lakeside of Locarno with the sun's rays reflecting on the water, or taking a trip to the modern and welcoming Lido, one of the most complete seaside facilities in Ticino and Northern Italy.
Open all year round, the complex overlooks the Lake Maggiore and offers an extraordinary variety of entertainment for both adults and younger people, with various indoor and outdoor swimming pools, slides, hydromassage, children's playground including a fitness area and a brand new wellness and spa centre. If the city of Locarno offers numerous artistic and cultural attractions, the places that surround it are certainly no different.
By taking the funicular which is located near the railway, you can reach the hotel in a few minutes Sanctuary of the Madonna del Sasso, built on the golden hill of Orselina, at the point where the Madonna appeared to the monk Bartolomeo d'Ivrea and from which you can enjoy a spectacular view of the city and Lake Maggiore. For the more sporty, during the winter period it is possible to reach the Cardada, very well-known ski resort where you can go on long descents on gentle slopes while admiring breathtaking views.
