Download as PDF

Canton Ticino: a taste of the Mediterranean

Ticino, Switzerland’s southernmost ­canton, is a land of many contrasts.
It is the only canton situated entirely south of the Alps and the only one where Italian is the main language.
Join us for a closer look at this unique region, its people and landscape.

In this land of extraordinary and fascinating natural contrasts – especially along the 100 kilometres separating the St. Gotthard Pass from the region of Mendrisiotto – you can admire and be enchanted by the entire range of European landscapes: dazzling glaciers, wild Alpine valleys, green hills where olives and grapevines grow and the rich subtropical vegetation of the lakeside botanical parks.

In easy reach

Situated on the main St. Gotthard road and railway link, connecting the north and south of Europe, Ticino can be easily reached by train, car or airplane with fast and frequent links. In this corner of Switzerland the Italian atmosphere and affability is the best partner for the proverbial Swiss quality and efficiency. Ticino is the perfect holiday destination for singles, groups and families.Its history, culture, language and dialects are intertwined with those of the nearby Italian border regions. The climate is particularly mild and the landscapes of the Alpine foothills and the lakes are characterised by their variety of bright colours. The vegetation – especially in the regions of Lake Maggiore and Lake Lugano – is typically Mediterranean.

A gastronomic paradise

The gastronomy of Ticino is based on simple and genuine products. The authenticity of the local cuisine can still be enjoyed in small restaurants and grotti (restaurants typical to the region, with granite stone tables situated in shaded areas, which are also popular meeting places among locals).The dishes you can expect to find on the menu are home-cured pork products – especially salami and mortadella – risotto, minestrone, polenta with braised beef, stewed rabbit, wild mushrooms, zabaglione (light custard) and peaches in wine. Ticino’s wines can be discovered directly at local vineyards or by following a network of wine routes.

Historic treasures

Art and architecture are also fully at home in Ticino. Its intense cultural tradition is still very much alive, and the canton is home to many artists and architects, such as Mario Botta, Aurelio Galfetti, Luigi Snozzi, Livio Vacchini and others who have achieved worldwide fame. Museum art collections, the private collections, the great art exhibitions and the music and cinema festivals all confirm a cultural vivacity that has its roots in the history of Ticino.Despite the canton’s compact dimensions, for several years, Ticino has also been able to lay claim to a prestigious first: it is one of the few places in the world that boasts two UNESCO World Heritage site listings. The three medieval castles of Bellinzona – included among cultural sites in 2000 – and Monte San Giorgio, included in 2003 among nature sites, due to its extraordinary paleontological treasures.Ticino is known to have the longest summer season in the whole of Switzerland. This means it can offer an incredible variety of open-air events, ranging from sports to cultural performances and gastronomy to music and cinema. Its special calendar can begin as early as March – when the first events (dedicated to flowers, parks and gardens) take place – running until the late autumn, when the array of seasonal events finally conclude with the wine harvest and chestnut festivals. Perhaps the best testimony to the region comes from the people who call this unique corner of Switzerland home. “It’s so beautiful here in summer,” Ticino’s older inhabitants like to say, “that at night, the stars throng together to find a spot where they can admire this paradise.”Come and experience the appeal of Ticino for yourself! For more information, please visit www.ticino.ch.