The heart of `Italian’
Switzerland, Lugano lies in the southern Switzerland canton of Ticino, on the shore of
Lake Lugano, or Lago di Lugano. During its turbulent history, Lugano has changed hands
many times - it’s been under French, Swiss and Italian rule, but remains
predominantly Italian in flavour. The populace speaks Italian and is largely Roman
Catholic. The cuisine of the region, with its chicken stews flavoured with garlic, is
distinctly Italian.A pretty and pleasant town, Lugano is a major tourist centre. Among
its well known attractions are the Cattedrale San Lorenzo, which has a beautiful
Renaissance portal and some faded frescoes. The church of Santa Maria degli Angioli,
with its magnificent paintings of the crucifixion and the Last Supper is also worth
seeing.
The town has some interesting museums and galleries. The Thyssen-Bornemisza collection
in the Villa Favorita and the Museo Cantonale d’art are particularly
good. The former is widely acknowledged as one of Europe’s best private collections
of art, while the latter, which includes works by local artists as well as masters like
Klee, Renoir and Rossi, depicts local peasantry.
Lugano is particularly known for its natural beauty, and a cruise on the picturesque Lake
Lugano is an unforgettable experience. The verdant suburb of Castagnola
merits a visit, as does the tiny settlement of Marcote, situated on the tip of a
peninsula that juts into the lake. Marcote’s main claim to fame is a pretty church,
the Santa Maria del Sasso, known for its frescoes.
Lugano is well connected by both bus and train to the rest of Switzerland, and there
are regular flights to other major cities, operated by the Swiss domestic airline. In
Lugano, you can go for help to the local tourist office, at Riva Albertolli 5. Besides
dispensing maps and brochures, the office staff can help you find accommodation. The city
has a mix of smart hotels, youth hostels and budget hotels that are full to capacity
during the tourist season.
