Novaggio lies in Malcantone in Ticino, on a spur of land between the Lisora and Magliasina basins. The village is situated at an altitude of about 640 metres above sea level. From here, there are views of Lake Lugano, the small lake of Ponte Tresa and the Magliasina Valley towards Arosio. Lugano railway station is about seven kilometres to the west as the crow flies.
Hiking Trails and Short Walks
The themed Sentiero delle Meraviglie starts and ends in Novaggio. The 6-kilometre Sentiero delle Meraviglie has an elevation gain of 360 metres; the stated duration is 2 hours and 5 minutes. Around twelve themed stops focus on mills, hammer mills, furnaces, mines and castles. They show how people used to live in the valley and connect the route with themes from work and everyday life.
The Sentiero della Pace connects the districts of Novaggio and Curio. It therefore offers a different spatial orientation from the Sentiero delle Meraviglie, which starts and ends in Novaggio. From Novaggio, short walks to the Fonte di Armida are also possible.
Craftsmanship, Village and History
The Maglio del Malcantone was established as an iron workshop in 1860; tools and everyday items such as scythes, spades and hoes were made there. It is considered the only lever-operated hammer mill currently preserved in Switzerland. NovaggioArte’s outdoor murals can be viewed on a walk through the narrow lanes of the village centre.
The village’s history also stretches back a long way: Novaggio was first mentioned in official records in 1335 under the name Novizio. A small medieval castle stood on the A Castéll hill northeast of the village and was mentioned between the 13th and 15th centuries.
Churches and Religious Sites
The Chiesa di San Siro has been documented as a religious building since 1352. The present Baroque building was constructed in the first half of the 17th century. Its artworks include neoclassical frescoes by Ferdinando Pelli of Aranno and Giacomo Donati, dating from the late 18th century.
The Chiesa di San Pietro was also mentioned as early as 1352 and rebuilt at the beginning of the 17th century. Its neoclassical façade features a Renaissance portal. The Chapel of the Sacred Heart contains an 18th-century painting depicting Saint Peter praying, attributed to Giuseppe Antonio Petrini. The two churches reflect different architectural histories: at San Siro, a Baroque building is paired with later neoclassical paintings, while at San Pietro, a Renaissance portal stands alongside a neoclassical façade.
The Oratorio della Madonna del Rosario, also known as della Morella, lies in the woods beside the old road to Pura. The present building dates from 1597 and was built over a chapel several centuries older. The oratorio was once a pilgrimage destination. Along the approach, some chapels of the Stations of the Cross, decorated with modern frescoes, have been preserved.
A Special Place to Stay
The renovated Casera can be rented for overnight stays as well as for lunch or dinner for small groups of no more than ten people. This limit makes group size a specific part of the planning.
Discover more destinations: Capriasca, Monteggio, Maroggia, Paradiso, Brusino Arsizio, Bissone, Neggio, Massagno
For the main travel overview: Lugano.
