Sun, lake and Dolce Vita (74)

Minusio is a neighbouring town to Locarno and lies between Lake Maggiore and Monte Cardada. Minusio borders on Muralto, Orselina, Brione, Contra and Tenero. The Minusio and Muralto stations offer an excellent public transportation connection to the entire Locarno area as far as Bellinzona and Lugano. In Rivapiana, the “lakeside”, is the Catholic church of San Quirico. The church, first mentioned in 1313, was rebuilt in the 18th century in Baroque style. Inside the church, the remains of Romanesque paintings from the 13th century are preserved on the south wall. The Romanesque bell tower from the 13th-15th centuries once served as a watchtower. A public park with a beautiful view of the lake belongs to the church. Not far away, directly on the lake, is the Cà di Ferro fortification, a castle-like building. Peter A Pro, a military entrepreneur from Uri, had it built from 1540-1580 as a barracks for recruiting Swiss mercenaries (rice runners). The chapel dates from 1630.