August 2006: Summertime – Locarno

The sunny banks of Lake Maggiore, the Mediterranean flora in its parks, the entirely Italian charm of the centre, and the various opportunities for relaxation are all an invitation to stay. Locarno is dominated by the Sanctuary of Madonna del Sasso and lies at the foot of majestic green valleys which lead up to the glaciers;

The past is visible today in monuments such as the Visconti Castle with its impressive fortified tower, old churches and elegant houses of the old nobility. Piazza Grande, from which narrow streets lead up to the picturesque Old Town (Città Vecchia), is one of the largest and most famous squares in Switzerland. This is the meeting place and heart of the town, and the main commercial activity takes place here: on Thursdays there is the popular market, and in August the evening screenings of the world-famous Film Festival.