Bedigliora lies in the Malcantone region on the southern slope of the hill Bedeia, also known as Bedeglia; the hill reaches 698 m above sea level. The village belongs to the political municipality of Lema in the Swiss canton of Ticino. Rural surroundings, gentle hills, chestnut forests and hiking trails give the place its character. For planning your trip, two distinct perspectives present themselves: the landscape around Bedeia and the historic details in the village centre. Bedigliora’s past was also strongly shaped by agriculture and chestnut cultivation.
Walks and Views on Bedeia
The Sentiero del Bedeia leads to three purpose-built viewpoints; from the hill, a 360-degree panorama opens up. The viewpoints are destinations along the trail, while the panoramic view describes the hill’s sweeping vistas. This makes it possible to distinguish the trail’s specific stops from the comprehensive view across the landscape.
The paths on the hill pass through diverse habitats and different types of woodland. Several cup-marked stones with carved depressions can also be seen on Bedeia. Alongside the far-reaching views, the woodland formations and archaeological traces draw attention to different facets of the hill.
Getting There and Cycling
The appropriate PostBus stop for the Sentiero del Bedeia is Scuole Medie di Bedigliora. For the hike, you can park in the municipal car park near the middle school. Stops and parking regulations may change; check the latest information before travelling. An official cycling route also passes through Bedigliora’s narrow lanes: “Scoprite le bellezze del Malcantone in bicicletta”. Check the current route in advance.
Historic Village Centre and Churches
The historic village centre has cobbled paths with covered sections. The buildings along the lanes often feature exposed natural stone masonry. Two details with dates stand side by side in the main square: the cemetery column dates from 1632, and the fountain is dated 1806. The years are 174 years apart, providing a concrete chronological comparison within the village setting.
The provost church of San Rocco is in Bedigliora and is first mentioned in historical documents from 1524. The cemetery chapel of San Salvatore has been documented since 1419 and was rebuilt in the 17th century. Bedigliora is listed in the Swiss Inventory of Settlements Worthy of Protection and in the ISOS inventory of settlements of national importance.
In Banco, the church of Santa Maria Assunta is documented from 1352. Its stone portal dates from the 15th century; two sundials are located on the church façades. This makes it possible to distinguish the church’s historical significance from a specific architectural feature and the visible details on its façades.
Those looking for a holiday apartment in Malcantone will find two distinct points of interest in Bedigliora: Bedeia, with its views, woodland formations and cup-marked stones, and the historic village setting with its lanes, squares and churches.
Discover more destinations: Cademario, Barbengo, Collina D'oro, Melide, Sorengo, Breno, Sessa, Lugano
For the main travel overview: Lugano.
