Sightseeing in Locarno - what to see. Complete travel guide

Locarno is a city located on the shore of Lake Maggiore at the foot of the Alpine ridge. The second name of this place is "City of Peace." Locarno got this name after the international agreement about peace had been signed here in 1925. Another reason for this name is in the fact Locarno is a magnificent lakeside recreation area full of beautiful subtropical parks. International Film Festival traditionally takes place in the huge central square of the city. This is one of the most important and famous festivals throughout Europe.

The architecture of Locarno is mostly represented by the Italian style. This fact is particularly evident in the Piedmont region with its stone walls and roofs. While having rest in Locarno, tourists should definitely visit art galleries, attend the church of Madonna del Sasso and not to forget about the magnificent antique curiosities of the city.

Locarno is a truly harmonious city that is simply ideal for a cozy and pleasant vacation. While walking on the streets of the city you can try food in numerous outdoor restaurants and cafes, visit magnificent gardens of Locarno full of blooming camellias and magnolias, climb up the hill using a funicular road and have some rest in a summer house located there. Finally, you can visit picturesque suburbs of the city and walk near the lake. Be sure to visit the neighbor town of Locarno, Melide, as this is the location of the ‘Switzerland in miniature’ Park, which features various attractions of Switzerland in 1:25 scale. This is a truly spectacular view! Copyright www.orangesmile.com

The main point of many excursion programs in Locarno is Piazza Grande. For many years, it has been the center of the cultural and business life of the city. All significant ceremonial events take place on this street. You can see beautiful historical buildings around it. Next to the square, there is a picturesque promenade, which is the focus of numerous restaurants, cafes and entertainment venues.

The city has preserved many religious monuments of various periods. An interesting site for visiting is the New Church. It is a vivid example of Baroque style. In this church, the original interior with a lot of refined ornaments is completely preserved.

No less interesting is the Church of St. Francis, in which the unique frescos of the famous painter Baldassare Carrari are preserved. In addition to its formation, this church is interesting for the religious artifacts stored within its walls. In a church named after Saint Anthony, visitors can see the incredibly spectacular and original altar on which the dying Jesus is depicted. Amazing works of art and Christian relics are hidden in each of the churches.

Fans of walks in historical places will be interested to make an excursion to the Visconti Castle. This defensive structure was built in the 15th century. The castle got its name from the name of a large clan, which for many years stood at the head of Milan. The castle is perfectly preserved after more than 500 years of existence. Now, it has an interesting museum. Its visitors will have the opportunity to see interesting archaeological exhibits, some of which date back to the Bronze Age. Here is also stored a rich collection of glass products made in the historic workshops of Locarno.

Nature lovers will be invited to visit the Valle Verzasca, which is located in the immediate vicinity of Locarno. This valley is very big and incredibly beautiful. Many tourist routes are laid along its territory. There are fascinating hiking trails, along which you can see the most hidden corners of the valley, and several interesting cycling routes. The main attraction of the valley is the ancient dam, which now serves as a natural viewing platform for tourists.