|
|
|
|
|
|
From Lugano to Mt. Generoso Thanks to the comfortable rack railway FMG, Mt. Generoso (1,700m) has for the past 100 years been a privileged destination for tourists in Ticino - from the summit there are unique views of Lakes Lugano, Maggiore, Como and Varese and of the Alps and Lombardy. This excursion should be undertaken with a companion and commences ideally from the Lugano Convention centre where there are parking areas for the disabled. From either Lugano or Paradiso take one of the boats operated by the Lake Lugano Navigation Company (SNLL) to Capolago (itinerary 2) where the narrow gauge cogwheel train departs to Mt. Generoso. Capolago can also be reached by train from Lugano or Mendrisio or by car, and the station is perfectly accessible and has parking areas for the disabled. Riva San Vitale also has suitable parking places. The Mt. Generoso Railway FMG is unique in the world as it is equipped for transporting wheelchairs in its specially constructed carriages. The personnel are specially trained and are available to help in case of difficulty. At the summit everything is arranged to make a visit easy: the restaurant, hotel, panoramic terrace, asphalted walkways, WCs etc., are all perfectly manageable in a wheelchair (www.ftia.ch). Both the boats
operated by the Lake Lugano Navigation Company (www.lakelugano.ch)
and the Mt. Generoso Railway (www.montegeneroso.ch)
make it possible for the disabled to enjoy an easy one-day excursion
to the summit of Mt. Generoso where there is also overnight accommodation.
Mt Generoso, which was originally under water, offers interesting
geological curiosities - for example grottoes, tunnels, and countless
fossils. The calcareous substratum of the mountain has favoured
the development of over 800 species of vegetation, among which are
a number of rare and unique examples. A Karst mountain, Generoso
offers a climate and a vegetation which is ideal for sheep-rearing.
Also at the summit, amidst the cows and the goats, take a look at
the “nevere” (cold stores), relics of an almost extinct
rural civilisation. The “nevera” is a forerunner of
the modern refrigerator and is a cylindrical building constructed
in typical Ticinese dry masonry. It was used by the Alpine dwellers
to store milk close to the cattle-sheds. From the summit you will
be able to watch life in the small villages in the Valleys of Muggio
and Intelvi, in particular Scudellate, Orimento, Erbonne and San
Fedele where the farming culture still survives. At the top there
is even a pathway to the planets and a model of the solar system,
and thanks to the Astronomy Observatory there are organised sky
watching evenings. From Bella Vista, the intermediate station, take
an excursion as far as Balduana to look at the ancient coal-cellars
and the numerous “bolle”, unusual round pools. Along
the way the view sweeps across the rolling hills of the Mendrisiotto
area, over the rows of vines, chestnut woods and the vast green
expanses of the Muggio Valley. Even if accessible with difficulties,
this valley is worth a short visit: by car from Mendrisio or Chiasso,
you can reach in less than one hour the village of Roncapiano, whereas
the villages of Valmara Valley like Rovio (take a look at the oratorio
San Vigilio of 6th century) and Arogno (with its baroque church)
and Val d’Intelvi can be reached by car coming from Melano/Maroggia.
From the top of mount Sighignola (1314 m) you can enjoy a beautiful
view over lake Lugano. At Riva S. Vitale there is a 5th century
Roman baptistery and the Renaissance Church of Santa Croce. www,ftia.ch |
.................................