There’s more to do in Morcote than first meets
DESTINATIONS
the eye. We return to explore exotic Parco Scherrer, a
sprawling hillside park created in the 1930s by textile
magnate Arthur Scherrer. A seasoned traveller and patron
of the arts, Scherrer collected large art works including
statuary, fountains and temples and placed them in of here. It was Milanese dukes, in fact, who founded Morcote and built this church where
thematic garden settings throughout the property. we pause to catch our breath. More about the fascinating history of Ticino comes to light
Scherrer’s estate deeded the park to the town of Morcote in Bellinzona.
in 1995 and on most days it is open to the public. Our train stops briefly in Bellinzona so we couldn’t help but notice the fortifications
Climbing a few hundred steps further up the for which the town is famous. Three massive fortified castles, built by the Milanese dukes
hillside, we enjoy a panoramic view of Lake Lugano and Visconti and Sforza in the 13th and 14th centuries, still stand tall above Ticino’s capital,
have a look inside the lovely 15th century stone church an outpost of strategic importance since Neolithic times because it controls the alpine
of Santa Maria del Sasso. From the fringes of Morcote passes linking the Italian peninsula to the rest of Europe.
radiate several walking trails that afford even more eye- Opting to hire a guide for the day, we call Ticino Turismo that puts us in touch
popping views over the lake and across it to Italy. I with Christa Branchi, a vivacious woman with 20 years of experience as a local tour
should mention that Milano, Italy’s centre of fashion guide. Branchi organises a minivan and driver and we backtrack to Bellinzona, some
and design, is only about an hour’s drive south 30km north of Lugano.
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