Page 220 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Switzerland

EXPERIENCE Central Switzerland and Ticino A quiet sunny day in

Piazza Grande, the core
of the town of Locarno

5 \-=
The interior decoration dates
LOCARNO
mainly from the 18th century.
3
! E5 ⌂ 136 km (85 miles) S of Zürich n Piazza Stazione; country-dwellers respectively.
www.ascona-locarno.com
Castello Visconteo
With an enchanting setting at the northern tip of Lake
Maggiore, Locarno lies in a wide bay in the shelter of ⌂ Piazza Castello 2 # Apr–
Oct: 10am–noon & 2–5pm
the Lepontine Alps. It is often said to be the sunniest Tue–Sun ∑ locarno.ch
of all Swiss towns, and date palm, fig, pomegranate
and bougainvillea thrive in its mild climate. During The origins of this cas tle go
back to the 12th century, when
the Middle Ages, Locarno was the centre of a dispute it was built for the Orelli family.
be tween the bishops of Como and the dukes of Milan, In 1342 owner ship fell into the
until the Swiss Confederates gained control in 1512. hands of the Milanese Visconti
The capital of Ticino from 1803 to 1878, today Locarno family. The dove tailed crenel-
is a resort that attracts visitors from north of the Alps lation of the walls and the
who come to enjoy its Mediterranean climate. towers dates from a series of
15th-century expansions, as
does the ravelin for tifica tion,
be lieved to be the work of
becomes an open-air cinema, Leonardo da Vinci. The sur-
1 \-= lined with rows of seats and viving wing now houses an
Piazza Grande a huge screen. archaeology museum, which
This rectangular paved square, has a partic ularly good col-
one of Switzerland’s biggest, lection of Roman artifacts.
is the focus of life in Locarno. 2
Along its north side are 19th-
century buildings with arcades Chiesa San Francesco
of shops, cafés and restau- ⌂ Via Cittadella 20
rants. There is a weekly market 2,155
here selling handicrafts and Completed in 1572, the church
local produce on Thursdays, of St Francis stands on the site
concerts are held in July, and of a 13th-century Franciscan The average hours of
during the well-renowned monastery. The eagle, ox and sunshine Locarno
International Film Festival, lamb on its Renaissance façade enjoys every year.
a ten-day extravaganza held represent Locarno’s aris to-
in early August, the square crats, ordinary citizens and
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