Locarno History and Cinema on Lake Maggiore The urban cluster of Locarno is easily accessible to those with mobility problems: in fact, the city evolved on the vast delta of the Maggia River, on the hill and along the banks of Lake Maggiore. The two proposed itineraries offer the enjoyment of travelling along the banks of the lake (A) which leads to Rivapiana and the mouth of Maggia from Piazza Grande, and into the Città Vecchia (old city) (B) to explore the little streets, the internal courtyards immersed in sub-tropical vegetation, the buildings, the churches, and the historic, artistic and cultural heritage of this town. The area, including Ascona, is renowned for its typically Mediterranean climate, and for having the greatest number of hours of sunshine in Switzerland, as well as for the Peace Pact of 1925. It is recommended that both itineraries be undertaken together with a companion. The first (A) can either start out from the Centro car park or from Rivapiana, and the second (B) near the Carità Hospital. The itineraries develop along the flat streets, and in the historic centre: many shops, banks, services and numerous monuments and churches in Locarno city, Muralto, Minusio, Brione and Orselina, are generally easily accessed (www.ftia.ch), despite difficulty sometimes encountered due to the presence of some steps. The numerous restaurants and bars facing on to the Piazza Grande and the lake, as well as some in the old town, are generally quite accessible. However, there are relatively few which have properly adapted toilet facilities. In the Locarno area there are a number of hotels in each category which are relatively easy to access (www.ftia.ch), as well as public toilet facilities and parking places. Unfortunately almost all the suggested routes interweave with traffic areas, but are nonetheless easy to transit. The commercial heart of Locarno, that is the famous Piazza Grande, where the open-air International Film Festival is held every year in August, is the centre of itinerary A. The older side of the Piazza and Largo Zorzi, under the covered archways, has shops, bars and restaurants and the other side is overlooked by 19th Century buildings, sub-tropical gardens and the Theatre/ Casino. The pedestrian Via Ramogna leads to the lively area where the train stations and the FART bus company are located, the historic Grand Hotel, and the romanesque church of San Vittore (XII Century). From the boat landing stage along the lake, reach the ancient fishing village of Rivapiana, which is overlooked by the most prestigious hotels. There are also numerous elegant villas, the medieval tower of San Quirico, and the famous old barracks Cà di Ferro. Along the road leading to the mouth of the Maggia, explore the residential areas dating back to the start of the 20th Century, the sports facilities and the public parks including the Pace with its sculpture of Jean Arp. Thanks to Itinerary B, visitors can enjoy the medieval and baroque areas of the city, and discover important churches including Sant’Antonio, San Francesco and the Chiesa Nuova, or admire the facades of the elegant 16th and 17th Century buildings in Via Sant’Antonio and Via Cittadella, or the internal courtyards like that of the 15th Century Casa del Negromante. Piazza Castello offers a beautiful sight to behold over the Visconteo Castle and the Casorella. It is possible to reach the hill (Monti, Orselina, Brione s/Minusio) above Locarno in only a few minutes by car from the centre, offering an incomparable panorama over the city, Lake Maggiore, and the Madonna del Sasso Sanctuary. Cardada can be reached by cable-car from Orselina. www.ftia.ch www.maggiore.ch www.ticino-tourism.ch www.locarnonline.ch www.muralto.ch www.minusio.ch www.centovalli.ch www.navigazionelaghi.it www.cardada.ch www.pardo.ch www.ticino-lifestyle.ch www.ticino-gastronomico.ch

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