Monte San Giorgio
A UNESCO World Heritage Site that preserves marine reptile fossils from the Triassic period, 240 million years ago. At its foot, in the village of Meride, a fossil museum designed by Mario Botta stands.
Monte San Giorgio is a pyramid-shaped peak on the south shore of Lake Lugano. It was inscribed as a World Natural Heritage Site in 2003 and is the world's most important source of marine fossils from the Middle Triassic. It has yielded many fossils of ichthyosaurs, nothosaurs, and other marine reptiles and fish. The fossil museum at the foot of the mountain, in the village of Meride, was remodeled by Mario Botta and displays fine specimens and reconstructions. Admission is about 12 Swiss francs. A Fossil Trail begins at the village entrance and climbs the mountain, taking about 3 to 4 hours in total. It is about a 30-minute drive from Lugano, and by bus you need to change at Mendrisio.
Opening hours
Museum Tue–Sun about 09:00–17:00
Nearby sights
- Morcote
- Swissminiatur
- Parco Scherrer
- FoxTown Factory Stores Mendrisio
- Campione d'Italia
- Monte San Salvatore
- Monte Generoso
- Museo Hermann Hesse