June 28th - More sightseeing

Locarno is quite a large city build on the delta of the Maggia River that flows into the northern tip of Lake Maggiore. Much of the city is on the slopes of the mountains rising up sharply from the lake. There are lots of things to see and do. Today we decided we should see some of them.

Right around the corner from our apartment was the Castello Visconteo built in the 13th century. The name shows that the Visconti family from Milan once used to rule over this Swiss town. Close by to it was the Chiesa di San Francesco with its chapel honoring Saint Francis.



On the corner near our apartment, a man was stirring up a batch of polenta for sale.



Just around the other corner was the front of the Chiesa Nuova with its statuary. And further along in front of the Chiesa di Sant'Antonio, the children were enjoying the fountain's lions. We had lots of bells to tell us the time at night.


Bus No. 31 made the trip over to Ascona very easy. We went over again to do some window shopping along the Borgo and to visit some of the churches and museums.


We took the Buxi 8-passenger bus up to Monte Verità set amidst the hills overlooking Ascona and Lake Maggiore. The alleged magnetism originating from the natural magnetic forces present in the area and the unique microclimatic characteristics of Monte Verità were combined in 1900 with the ideals of the first settlers, the founders of a vegetarian colony, who lived out their utopia of a Reform of Life for some twenty years. By walking this meandering path, you can experience these magnetic powers. I didn't feel anything!!

We spent the afternoon in Bellinzona, about a half-hour trip east of Locarno. Bellinzona is the capital of the Canton of Ticino and the canton's richest historical town. However, it is hot and windy and not very pleasant to tour. At the center of town is a huge rock outcropping on which is built the Castelgrande. An elevator has been hewn into the rock that makes it much easier to get to the top.

On top in the huge courtyard we found an exhibit of sculpture by an 80-year-old local artist, Lag Arnoldi. We thought they were quite grotesque. We did have a good visit in the museum where we joined a group of Russians who had requested that the movies be shown in English.


Bellinzona is at the crossroads of the valleys leading to Italy from the Alps. Therefore, it became the natural sentinel point for trade moving north and south. Fortifications were built between three castles: Castelgrande, where this photo is taken, Castello di Montebello further up, and Castello di Sasso Corbaro at the top of the hill. We didn't visit the other two!!


Instead, we walked a mile to and a mile from the Villa dei Cedri, the civic art gallery. They had a fine collection of Swiss and Italian art from the 19th and 20th centuries. And the young receptionist seemed genuinely glad to see us since they must not have many visitors.



Being very hot and tired, we were delighted that the airconditioned train back to Locarno was on-time to the minute, as usual.