Sessa lies on the foothills below Monte Lema, whose slopes descend towards the River Tresa. In the village, traces of rural life meet medieval and Renaissance buildings; the history of gold mining and a hiking trail connecting natural and historical features add to its appeal. When planning your visit, it is worth distinguishing between sightseeing in the village, visiting the mine and taking a longer hike: each has different highlights and practical requirements.
Churches and local history
One historic street in Sessa is distinguished by particularly continuous building façades, with notable public and private buildings. A tribunal palace is also among the historic sights. Of the churches, Chiesa di S. Orsola holds a special place with its striking Renaissance façade: made of stone blocks in different colours, it bears the Bianchi family coat of arms and features statues of Saints Sebastian and Francis in niches. It is considered a rare architectural feature. Inside, the main altar is decorated with stucco and crowned by an altarpiece depicting Saint Ursula.
Chiesa di S. Martino also offers specific details that reveal different art forms. Its granite portal is complemented by a mosaic by Aurelio Gonzato, dating from 1958 and depicting Saint Martin on horseback. The main altar features a decorated tabernacle by Antonio Pini of Bellagio, dating from 1670. In the Prepositurale parish church, the wooden main altar is considered a representative work of Lombard Baroque. Santa Maria, meanwhile, is a medieval chapel. Together, these buildings offer different perspectives on local religious and architectural history, without any single style defining the village on its own.
Rural culture at the Piccolo Museo
The Piccolo Museo di Sessa e Monteggio is an ethnographic museum dedicated to local rural culture. Its permanent exhibition, “L'arte del fare - i mestée d'una volta”, brings together tools used by local farmers and objects from crafts practised in the past. Themed exhibitions cover, among other things, woodworking as well as wool, hemp and silk. The processing of milk into cheese and butter is also brought to life: the dairy room displays the equipment used for this. The museum also includes a shoemaker’s workshop, which remained in operation until the 1950s.
The collection can be seen in the context of the area’s agriculture, which included fields of grain, potatoes and maize. The museum also regularly organises special exhibitions on local history. Important to know before visiting: the museum is open by appointment only, so arrange your visit in advance. The meeting point for a guided tour of Sessa is Piazza da Sora.
Gold mine: history and preparation
The Miniera d’Oro di Sessa makes mining a distinct highlight of a stay. The 375-metre-long Leonilde tunnel is open to the public. The first stage of a mining trail also leads to the mine, where visitors can experience the history of the miners of the past two centuries. The earliest documented attempts at gold mining in the Sessa area date back to 1785. Possible remains of Roman-era gold mining have also been reported on the banks of the River Lisora; this interpretation is explicitly tentative.
The temperature inside the tunnel remains constant at 11–12°C. Because the ground is damp, entry is permitted only with suitable footwear, such as boots or hiking shoes; warm clothing is recommended. These conditions are more important when preparing for a visit than the time of year: anyone planning to visit the mine should make sure to bring appropriate footwear and dress for the cool temperature.
Hiking along the Pevereggia
The Sentiero dell’Acqua Ripensata is a themed hiking trail created jointly by Sessa and Monteggio. It passes through the area on both sides of the Pevereggia stream, linking natural and historical features. The trail is accessible by post bus; the hike is listed as taking 2.5 hours and requiring a moderate level of fitness. A route description dated 21 April 2025 gives a distance of 8.5 kilometres and lists Sessa, at 378 metres above sea level, as both the starting and finishing point. Check the trail endpoints before setting out.
The route also passes through the protected area of le Bolle, considered a biotope of natural importance with diverse plant and animal life. Please respect the local conservation regulations. The hike offers a different focus from a tour of the churches or a visit to the mine: along the way, the landscape and natural environment sit alongside traces of history. To compare the practical requirements, consider the trail’s stated duration of 2.5 hours and moderate level of fitness alongside the required footwear and cool temperatures inside the tunnel.
Discover more destinations: Caslano, Bedano, Breno, Roveredo, Sonvico, Sorengo, Savosa, Comano Ti.
For the overview of the wider travel area: Lugano.
