Perched on the shores of Lake Maggiore, Locarno is a vibrant city located on the south side of the Alps. Surrounded by Italy, the city in the Ticino canton of Switzerland is known for its sun drenched climate and Mediterranean flair. Locarno is also best known for its annual film festival which is The international Locarno Film Festival. This one is being held for over 11 days each August since 1946 making it one of the world’s oldest film festivals. It is also the reason behind the moniker “The City of Film” which is the other name for Locarno. Locarno is about 55 km from Swissminiatur, the open air museum of Swiss miniatures in Melide.
Given its location between the magnificent mountains and a picturesque lake, Locarno is an extremely popular holiday destination with people flocking to this resort city from all over the world. Whether you are interested in films or otherwise, the city has plenty of interesting sights that span art, history, culture and religion.
If you are looking to unwind from the urban humdrum, spending time by the lake is an ideal way to relax in Locarno. Take time to stroll along the promenade while enjoying the stunning views of the lake and the mountains. The lawns are also a good place to enjoy a picnic lunch or to just stroll with a gelato in hand!
The centre of Locarno old town is the vibrant Piazza Grande which is one of Switzerland’s largest city squares. It is a bustling square which serves as not only the meeting place for all its residents but is also the venue for its famous events including the Locarno Film Festival. Apart from the latter, this cobblestone square also plays host to the city’s weekly Thursday market, flea markets, the Strawberry festival in the end of May and many others.
It is a great place to shop and beyond its characteristic arcades, there are several narrow alleys that host boutique store and cafes on its winding alleys.
Another important landmark of the city is the Visconteo Castle which is a charming Renaissance building now converted into an archaeological museum. Within the castle complex is Museo Casorella which is a 16th century mansion which was once owned and renovated by the Orelli dei Capitani family. It is now owned by the Locarno municipality.
The mansion replete with frescoes has parts of the castle walls and also houses a museum that traces the journey of how the castle was restored by Edoardo Berta in the 1920s. There are several photographs, documents, models and relics that showcase this interesting journey.
Arguably the most significant place to visit in Locarno is the Madonna del Sasso Sacro Monte which is a sacred pilgrimage site similar to Einsiedeln in the country. Considered highly auspicious, this church complex which include the convent and museum is visited by devotees from all over. It is accessible by the Locarno–Madonna del Sasso funicular which is a funicular railway in Locarno.
Madonna del Sasso sanctuary, dedicated to the “Assunta”, the Virgin Mary, was founded in 1480 following the apparition of the Virgin to the Franciscan friar Bartolomeo Piatti d’Ivrea. The first Assunta church and a small house for the friars called “Casa del Padre” were erected in the years 1485-1487. The convent was only built in 1534 and its structure, which was expanded and transformed during the following centuries, still exists.
The Sacro Monte developed later on, with the construction of the first chapels and the opening of the Via Crucis in 1621. It develops along an ascensional route, symbolically intended as a purifying walk leading to the Sanctuary via the “Strada della Valle” or the Via Crucis where shrines and chapels are devoted to the life of Christ and the Virgin Mary.
The Madonna del Sasso complex, owned by the government since 1848 and taken care by the Capuchin friars, was restored in two different phases, in 2006-2007 and in 2009-2015; the museum was renovated in 2016. You can also enjoy spectacular views of the surrounding landscape from the church complex.
Locarno is just over 40 km from Lugano and around 50 km from Morcote.
