Locarno

About

Situated on a river delta and sheltered by the Alps, Locarno has been a holiday destination since the days of the Roman Empire. In the early 1900s, beautiful belle epoch hotels were built to accommodate the new influx of tourism. However, what brought the city to the world stage was the signing of the so-called "Locarno Treaty" in 1925, which Locarno the nickname the "Town of Peace". Just off the palm-lined lakefront, the "Piazza Grande" is lined with charming old houses, cafes and restaurants, and is transformed into an open air cinema every August for the International Film Festival. The Renaissance-era Old Town fans out from the square, culminating in the 13th century Castello Visconteo, which houses the Municipal and Archeological Museum. High above the city, the 15th century Santuario della Madonna del Sasso offers superb views and a richly decorated interior.