The rocky Verzasca landscape and its architectural history give Lavertezzo two clearly distinct focal points. In Lavertezzo, the Verzasca has a riverbed and banks of rock that are of great scenic value. The best-known natural pools of the Verzasca are in Lavertezzo and Brione Verzasca. In addition, buildings, historic settlements and paths shape the area’s cultural history.
Bridge, church and settlements
Ponte dei Salti is a two-arched Romanesque stone bridge of medieval origin. After it was partially destroyed in 1868, it was rebuilt in 1960. The Church of Santa Maria degli Angeli acquired its present form in the 18th century; its Baroque façade, decorated with cornices, was built in 1780. The church contains a fresco of the Madonna by Pancaldi-Mola, and a painting by Giuseppe M. Borgnis from Craveggia hangs above the main entrance. On the slope lies the settlement cluster Sambugaro, whose houses and stables date from the 16th to the 19th century. Between Lavertezzo and Revöira are nine chapels dating from the 17th and 18th centuries. These dates span a broad period: from the bridge’s medieval origins to the Baroque façade and residential and agricultural buildings whose construction spanned several centuries.
Paths and former land use
The Revöira ethnographic trail is an 8 km circular route from Lavertezzo via Sambugaro, Revöira and Motta, returning to Lavertezzo. In places, it follows former transhumance routes used by semi-nomadic shepherds to move livestock to changing summer pastures. Revöira’s historic water supply system includes 35 basins hollowed out of granite to collect rainwater and six cisterns that collected groundwater. The trail and water system illustrate two aspects of former land use: seasonal livestock movement to summer pastures and the collection of rainwater and groundwater.
The first section of BoBosco is shorter than the Revöira circular route, at 5.5 km. It runs from Brione Verzasca to Lavertezzo and includes 13 structures for a marble run. The routes therefore differ not only in length: Revöira is a circular hike connected with historic transhumance, while BoBosco here describes a section with a different starting point and marble-run structures. Seasonal conditions may affect access to Revöira; check the current situation before setting out.
Getting there and staying
The “Lavertezzo, Paese” PostBus stop is near Ponte dei Salti. Check the current timetable before travelling. Gruppo Sub Verzasca has been active since 1975 and is based in Lavertezzo; it oversees recreational diving and other leisure activities. If you are looking for a hotel in Lavertezzo, you can choose according to your priorities: the local themes of scenery, architectural and art history, and routes with different features offer a range of options.
Discover more destinations: Borgnone, Sonogno, Gambarogno TI, Ronco Sopra Ascona, Verscio, Brissago, Vira
Return to the overarching travel guide: Locarno.
