Locarno & Madonna del Sasso
Locarno / Santuario della Madonna del Sasso
A sunny small town on the north shore of Lake Maggiore. The yellow Sanctuary of the Madonna del Sasso perches on a cliff overlooking the lake, and the town hosts an international film festival each August.
Locarno lies on the Swiss side of Lake Maggiore, with a mild climate. Each August, Piazza Grande, the main square, hosts the Locarno International Film Festival, where 8,000 people watch films outdoors at night. Above the town, on a cliff, stands the Sanctuary of the Madonna del Sasso, founded in 1480. Its yellow buildings are built into the rock. You can reach it by funicular or on foot in about 20 minutes. Inside is an altarpiece by Bramantino, and the terrace has excellent views. Taking the funicular further brings you up to Cardada Mountain. From Lugano, the train takes about an hour, with a change at Bellinzona. It can be combined with the Verzasca Valley for a day trip.
Opening hours
Pilgrimage hall about 07:00–18:30
Nearby sights
- Verzasca Valley
- Monte Tamaro
- Monte Lema
- Castles of Bellinzona
- Museo Hermann Hesse
- Cathedral of San Lorenzo
- Via Nassa
- Piazza della Riforma