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Mendrisio and surrounding area The streets of the historic centre of Mendrisio are not easily accessible in a wheelchair. The suggested itinerary, ideally undertaken with a companion, is the only one permitting exploration, without too much difficulty, of the heart of the town which is renowned for its historic Easter processions, Wine Harvest Festivals and traditional grottoes). The ancient city centre, reminiscent of parts of Tuscany, still has important buildings and churches of Roman, Renaissance and Baroque style. The visit begins ideally in the area around the Academy of Architecture and progresses to the historic pedestrian centre where unfortunately only a few of the shops, services, restaurants and hotels are completely accessible. On the other hand, whether along the suggested itinerary or in other parts of the centre, there are plenty of parking places and toilets for the disabled (www.ftia.ch). Mendrisio can also be reached by train from Lugano, however the hilly layout of the town does not permit wheelchair access up into the old town. It is therefore recommended visiting the area by other means as some of the characteristic villages of the area, some of which also have accessible hotels and restaurants (www.ftia.ch), and can only comfortably be reached by car. The large shopping centres of Foxtown and Alla Valle in Mendrisio, and Serfontana in Chiasso, offer opportunities to do some problem-free shopping. A few of the museums and churches in the Mendrisio area are also relatively accessible. After leaving
the area around the Academy of Architecture and the refined villas
(some of which have oriental and Palladian influence), the itinerary
progresses into the older part of Mendrisio (www.mendrisio.ch)
to discover countless buildings with internal courtyards, both secret
and discrete, which spring to life during the folk festivals offered
by the town and in the surroundings of the Mendrisiotto region (www.mendrisiotto.ch).
Before arriving in the central Piazza del Ponte pass the Palazzo
Pollini, one of the most majestic examples of Baroque architecture
in Ticino. Below the Church of Santi Cosma and Damiano are the remains
of a medieval tower. After travelling down the Via Stella, arrive
at the complex belonging to the Ancient Convent of the Serviti,
one of the most romantic areas of the city. Next to a quaint cloister
is the Church of San Giovanni, one of the most significant late
Baroque churches to be found in Ticino. Near the Railway Station
there is a Railway Museum and numerous accessible shops. The Roman
church of San Martino rises up close to the motorway and not much
further away at Rancate visit the prestigious Züst Gallery
which hosts works by local artists including Petrini and Serodine.
Near the village of Ligornetto the Vela Museum is well worth a visit
with its works by the sculptor Vincenzo Vela, in the village of
Stabio the Museum of Rural Civility and in Meride the Museum of
Fossils. Sadly, the majority of the well-known rustic grottoes with
their shady granite tables, serving traditional dishes (polenta,
local cheeses, braised beef - “brasato” - and bread
cake - “torta di pane”), local wines (Merlot and Nostrano)
and typical local lemonade called “gazzosa”, are only
accessible with great difficulty. The famous grottoes located at
the Cantine di Mendrisio which lie under majestic chestnut and maple
trees offer to the disabled at least access to their terraces where
to find a shady place on hot summer evenings. Not far away from
the wild natural park of the Breggia valley begins the city of Chiasso
(www.chiasso.ch).
the most southerly town of Switzerland near to the Italian border,
which has a splendidly restored cinema and theatre from the ”Art
Déco” period. |
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