Contra is a village in the municipality of Tenero-Contra in the canton of Ticino. The hilly area offers views of Lake Maggiore. When planning your trip, Contra offers a range of interests: hiking trails through the forest, an easy panoramic route and historic churches. You can decide whether to focus your stay mainly on nature, physical activity or local history.
Hiking trails and getting to Contra
La Collina Alta and the Contra-Alpe Cardada Trail offer different types of routes: the first is an easy panoramic trail from Locarno Monti to Contra, with views of Lake Maggiore; the second is a fully marked loop for trail running that starts in Contra, opposite the municipal building and the Church of San Bernardo. La Collina Alta ends in Contra, Paese. The route from Locarno Monti and the trail-running loop that starts in Contra therefore differ in their course and character.
Contra, Paese bus stop can be reached from Tenero railway station on bus line B 323 or from Locarno railway station on line B 312. As bus routes and stop arrangements may change, check the timetable before travelling.
Forest areas and wildlife watching
The forest area in Tenero-Contra has become a place for relaxation and a connection with nature. In the mountain area, the forest is particularly prominent between the village of Falò and the municipal boundaries of Brione s. M. and Mergoscia. Hikers on the trails through the forest may encounter roe deer, red deer, wild boar and foxes. These animals are a possible sighting along the way, not something to be expected.
The mountain area's former use is also part of its history: timber from the mountain area of Tenero-Contra was transported from the upper mountains to the village of Contra using a system of cable devices. The area's current role as a place for recreation and its former use for timber transport illustrate two different connections between the forest and the village.
Churches and architectural history
The Church of San Bernardo Abate in Contra is classified as a locally protected cultural asset. It is listed as number A1087 in the Inventory of Cultural Property of the Canton of Ticino; it is also considered a protected cultural monument under Art. 35, para. 2 of the implementing regulations for the land-use plan of the municipality of Tenero-Contra. The current building stands on medieval masonry. The wall paintings date from the second half of the 15th century. Significant works on the church in the 17th century included the Rosary Chapel in 1605, the sacristy before 1669 and the bell tower in 1682. Its architectural history can thus be traced through several distinct periods.
Another point of reference in the area's religious history is the Oratorio della Beata Vergine della Fraccia in Contra. It originated as a votive tabernacle to the Virgin Mary, built around 1636. The men of Contra built the oratory around 1640–1645. The origin and construction date refer to two different stages: the earlier votive tabernacle and the later construction of the oratory.
Discover more destinations: Gresso, Orselina, Mergoscia, Vergeletto, Corippo, Sonogno, Tegna, Vira
For the main travel overview: Locarno.
