Locarno is one of the most famous holiday resorts in Switzerland and at the same time the warmest city in the country. It lies on the picturesque Lake Maggiore, where there are numerous beaches and bathing areas.
The beginnings of Locarno date back to the sixth century, when a small settlement existed here. Until the 16th century, the expanding city belonged to the Duchy of Milan, and then became part of Switzerland. Italian influences, however, have survived to this day and are visible in the buildings, culture and the Italian language used by the inhabitants. The Locarno Center is a picturesque Old Town with several historic churches from different eras, including the Marian shrine Chiesa Madonna del Sasso and the ruins of the Visconteo castle. The most famous episode in the city's history is the signing in 1925 of treaties guaranteeing the border between Germany and Belgium and France, called the Locarno Agreement.
Locarno is primarily a holiday resort. On Lake Maggiore, surrounded by Mediterranean vegetation, there are several developed beaches with sanitary and gastronomic facilities as well as water equipment rentals. A popular place for excursions is the Cardada-Cimetta mountain, 1,672 m above sea level, which can be reached by a cable car. There is a wonderful view of the surrounding area.
