iCyclades - Cyclades Discovery Guide

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This "Gateway to Lake Lugano" is probably the most photographed place in the city. We still managed to shoot this panorama in the brief interval between two groups of tourists!

In the summer of 2021, this 17-metre long whale was an eye-catcher in Ciani Park. It was a visual and sound installation by Austrian artist Mathias Gmachl, which invited passers-by to listen and reflect, confronting them with the impact of their actions on the environment. Motion sensors overlaid the whale's song with discordant sounds of human activity when the passer-by got too close to the installation...

The mouth of the Cassarate forms a sandy tongue on its right bank, which is a delight for bathers and sunbathers. This short river (18.3km) flows from the heights of Val Colla, north-east of Lugano, and rises near the San Lucio pass, at an altitude of 1540m, which marks the border with Italy.

This area of the Ciani Park is the "Garden of the Righteous", which honours the commitment of women and men of the Ticino civil society in favour of women, men and families on the run, persecuted because of their race, religion or political opinions.

The lakeside promenade is a real treat for the eyes. Between the trees, the flowerbeds, the shimmering lake and the mountains that close the horizon, the eye moves from one enchantment to another.

Our virtual stroll begins (or ends) here, in front of this marina with an unlikely name. Of course, Lugano has everything it takes to compete with any Mediterranean Riviera and the lake is lost on the horizon between the mountains, but the sea is still far away...

In principle, it is forbidden to walk on the lawns of the park, but how can you resist the temptation? Few people actually respect the ban and the park remains quiet and spotlessly clean, even in the midst of summer when the shade offered by the trees is most welcome.

The eastern part of the park has a wilder appearance than the flowery gardens of Villa Ciani. It is planted with oaks, lime trees, plane trees and maples, typical trees of the Ticino forests.

At the far end of the park, set back from the shore but close to the small beach, is a children's area with many games, hidden in the shade of the trees.

At the very end of Ciani Park, at the mouth of the Cassarate River, there is a nice little beach. It is very popular, so don't expect to find peace and quiet here!

The Piazza della Riforma is the main square of the city where many events are organised during the tourist season. Its name comes from the reform of 1830, which was a political and not a religious reform, Ticino becoming the first Swiss canton to reform its constitution in line with the evolution of European society.

This beautiful square, lined with cafés and restaurants, offers a beautiful perspective on the lake shore, which we will reach further on, at Ciani Park. Our stroll will now follow Via Canova, which is like an extension of Via Nassa on the other side of the square.

The Independence Square recalls a historical event of 1798. At the time, Ticino was divided into two cantons (Bellinzona and Lugano) and integrated into the Helvetic Republic, the Switzerland occupied by Napoleon. Threatened with integration into Napoleon's short-lived Cisalpine Republic, the city of Lugano declared its independence, which led in 1803 to the Act of Mediation giving birth to the unified canton of Ticino.

A massive bronze statue, Eros Bendato (Blindfolded Eros), adorns the square. It is a work by Polish sculptor Igor Mitoraj (1944-2014), which can also be found in Krakow (Poland) and St. Louis (USA). The empty eyes of the god of love open a blind gaze above the bandages and you are free to see the symbol of your choice...

The church of San Rocco was built in the 16th century in the Baroque style. It is named after Roch of Montpellier, a 14th century pilgrim and thaumaturgist who is venerated as a saint by Catholics.

Our virtual stroll in Lugano starts (or ends) in this small square, a stone's throw from Piazza della Riforma, the main square of the city. It will take you to the beach of Parco Ciani, at the mouth of the Cassarate river.

This strange statue is the "Death of Socrates", an 1875 work by the Russian sculptor Mark Matveyevich Antokolski (1843-1902). It evokes the tragic execution of the famous Athenian philosopher of the 5th century BC, who was sentenced to death under false pretences.

Like Via Nassa, Via Canova runs parallel to the lake shore and is also partly lined with arcades and shops. Our stroll follows it to the beautiful Ciani Park.

Straight on, Via Canova continues towards the church of San Rocco. On the left, Via della Posta passes the central post office of Lugano. On the right, Via degli Albrizzi leads to the lake shore.

We arrive at the church of San Rocco, which stands on the square of the same name. Further on, Via Canova ends in front of the Independence Square, from where our stroll leads to Ciani Park and the lake shore.

Two alleys perpendicular to Via Canova bear the same name and arrive at an archway passage to Riva Giocondo Albertolli, the avenue that runs alongside the lake shore.

Via Nassa, one of Lugano's historic streets, is bordered by arcades lined with shops. It is the most famous commercial street of the city, a real shopping paradise.

The real name of the lake is Ceresio, from the Latin Ceresium, a name of uncertain origin that appeared in 590 AD in a writing by the bishop and historian Gregory of Tours. Don't panic: if you call it Lake Lugano everyone will understand! Lugano is the only major city on its shores, even though the Ceresio is shared with Italy.

Built between 1840 and 1843, this neoclassical building has an octagonal belvedere and a cylindrical turret on the roof peak. Formerly the home of the Ciani brothers, wealthy merchants and bankers, it is now a part of the Convention Centre.

Here we are in front of Villa Ciani, to which we turn our backs. Between the villa and the lake, the park is both Italian and English, with a mixture of large flowerbeds, lawns and century-old trees.