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| In the woods between Mt. Lema
and Mt. Tamaro The Lugano district is embedded between not very deep valleys and lies inbetween a green belt of chestnut woods which cover the whole region of Malcantone, Valle del Vedeggio, Capriasca and Val Colla: these are areas lying near to the border between Switzerland and Italy offering beautiful panoramic views over mountains and lakes like Ceresio and the smaller Lake Origlio. In the Malcantone district (A) the tourist may enjoy a pure nature and a very rich cultural and artistic heritage. From the top of the Mount Lema you can see Mount Tamaro which in winter is a skiing centre and in summer offers green pastures which mostly attract families with children going up by the cable car starting in Rivera (B): downhill you can see the spots of lots of small villages, bell towers, summer residences spread all over the Capriasca valley and the small farmer villages of Val Colla (B). For visiting itinerary A and B we recommend to undertake excursions only with a companion: they are proposed as well as day trips with overnight stays in Lugano, Ponte Tresa, Sessa or Cademario which offer good accommodation facilities. You can reach Ponte Tresa, Magliaso and Agno by using the local FLP train leaving from Lugano, or by boat (Ponte Tresa and Caslano). Other parts of the Malcantone district at the moment do not have suitable public transport systems, therefore we recommend a visit to the region using a car which allows you to discover comfortably the very characteristic villages, to visit ethnographical museums, Roman and baroque churches and to go for a walk on flat ways (for example along the lake Ceresio from Magliaso to Caslano or round about Lake Origlio). Passing by, you can take a rest in one of the restaurants or in some typical “osteria” which are mostly accessible and offer WC facilities for disabled persons. Itinerary A
should start in Miglieglia, a very famous village due to its Roman
church called Santo Stefano where you can admire its frescos dating
16th Century. Later you might go uphill by cable car to Mount Lema
(1624 m) from where you can enjoy a gorgeous view over the Lombard
lakes lying southwards. You can reach Miglieglia following the street
to Gravesano if coming from Bioggio or Magliaso and making a stop-over
to discover the traditional way of life and religion visiting the
“Museo del Malcantone” in Curio village or the “Museo
Plebano” in Agno. And just stop over as well and have a look
at the churches of San Michele in Arosio or of Sant’Ambrogio
(13th Century) in Cademario. Coming from Miglieglia and going downhill
to the lake, a due visit should be paid to the very old villages
of Sessa, Astano and Monteggio where you can admire very beautiful
rural buildings besides residential villas like Casa Passera, all
typical of former local lifestyle. The maple trees on the lakeside
promenade of Caslano and the baroque church of San Cristoforo give
a magic touch, some sort of “retro” and quite romantic
flair to this tiny fishing village which offers something special
to the visitor: the Museo della pesca (Fishing Museum). But who
prefers sweets may visit, still in Caslano, the Museo della cioccolata
(Chocolate Museum). Near to the Caslano Golf Club there are a lot
of small ways where it is possible to go with wheelchairs without
any problem. In the industrial area between Agno and Gravesano you’ll
find the Lugano Airport and lots of shopping centres and services.
Itinerary B brings the visitor to
the middle of the chestnut woods: first of all to the romantic Lake
Origlio near to the village of the same name, then to the San Giorgio
church and to the capuchin convent of Bigorio at the end of the
valley, then to the San Mamete church (built in the 13° century)
in Mezzovico and to Rivera. From here, which in olden times formed
the border between the territories dominated by the Visconti Duke
of Milan and the Bishop of Como, you can go uphill by cable car
on Mount Tamaro (1530 m) enjoying a gorgeous view over the Alps,
and you can also visit the modern Santa Maria degli Angeli church
designed by the famous architect Mario Botta and with paintings
of Enzo Cucchi. www,ftia.ch |
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