Muralto lies on Lake Maggiore, at the eastern edge of the Maggia Delta and close to Locarno. There are several clear points of interest for a stay: the lakeside, garden plants, Roman settlement history and church art. You can shape your visit around whether you mainly want to stroll by the water, learn about ancient settlement, or focus on the architecture and frescoes of S. Vittore.
Lakeside and garden plants
The lakeside promenade between Locarno and Muralto is about 1.5 kilometres long. Mediterranean and subtropical plant species grow along the way, and walks by the lake in Muralto offer expansive views. The plants and lake views lend different character to the stroll, while the approximate length provides a practical guide for planning your day.
The Giardini Pioda e Rusca offer a botanical attraction of their own. They are home to camellias of old varieties that are over a hundred years old, as well as two imposing ginkgo trees. Alongside the plants lining the lakeside path, these gardens bring particular plants into focus.
Roman traces and S. Vittore
The Vicus di Muralto is the best-documented Roman settlement in this region and in the entire Canton of Ticino. Excavations connected with the Vicus took place in the 1980s in the area around the parish church of San Vittore, near Muralto railway station. Roman history thus has a tangible link to a place where S. Vittore church also draws attention.
The collegiate church of S. Vittore is a Romanesque church dating from the late 11th century. It has three naves and three semicircular apses, so its architecture can be appreciated both through the layout of the interior and the shape of the sanctuary. The frescoes also reflect different periods. The oldest important fresco cycle depicts scenes from Genesis and dates to around 1150. The main apse also contains a depiction of Pentecost, painted by Hans Schmidt in 1583. Thus, an early fresco cycle and a much later work are found in the same church.
Getting here and the history of the Locarno Treaties
One useful detail for planning your trip: Locarno railway station is located in Muralto. Thanks to its railway station, Muralto is easy to reach by public transport. If you are looking for hotels for a stay here, this connection helps link the town’s name with a specific arrival point.
The Grand Hotel is also part of the history of the Locarno Treaties. In October 1925, delegations stayed there and held both official and informal discussions. The Percorso della pace lists the Grand Hotel at Via Sempione 17 as its sixth stop and commemorates the 1925 Locarno diplomatic conference. This historical episode and the hotel’s place on the memorial route show how the building is connected with the peace efforts of that time.
Discover more destinations: Sonogno, Cavigliano, Tegna, Porto Ronco, Gambarogno TI, Contone, Corippo, Orselina
For the broader travel overview: Locarno.
