Things to do in Locarno
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Santuario della Madonna del Sasso
Overlooking the town, this sanctuary was built after the Virgin Mary supposedly appeared in a vision to a monk, Bartolomeo d'Ivrea, in 1480. There's a small museum, a church and several rather rough, near life-size statue groups (including one of the Last Supper) in niches on the stairway. The best-known painting in the church is La Fuga in Egitto (Flight to Egypt), painted in 1522 by Bramantino.
Contrasting in style are the naive votive paintings by the church entrance, where the Madonna and Child appear as ghostly apparitions in life-and-death situations.
A funicular runs every 15 minutes from the town centre past the sanctuary to Orisella, but the 20-minute walk up is …
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Pardo Bar
With its background music, scattered timber tables (a couple of computers on one) and wine and cocktails on offer, Pardo Bar attracts a relaxed and mixed crowd.
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Castello Visconteo
Castello Visconteo, dating from the 15th century and named after the Visconti clan that long ruled Milan, today houses a museum with Roman and Bronze Age exhibits. Locarno is believed to have been a glass-manufacturing town in Roman times, which accounts for the strong showing of glass artefacts in the museum. This labyrinth of a castle, whose nucleus was raised around the 10th century, also hosts a small display (in Italian) on the Locarno Treaty.
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Ristorante Centenario
This lakeside gem seems to have left behind a trifle of its former French-inspired snobbery but remains a top culinary address, turning out such clever dishes as filetto di vitello con cuore di cantucci alle mandorle e scaloppa di fegato d’anatra scottata (veal fillet with almond biscuit and roast duck liver).
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Bar Sport
A fairly run-of-the-mill place by day, this rough-and-tumble bar with the red-walled dance space out the back and beer garden on the side is an extremely popular hang-out with Locarno’s night owls. There are a few other bars in the immediate vicinity.
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Osteria Chiara
Tucked away on a cobbled lane, this has all the cosy feel of a grotto. Sit at granite tables beneath the pergola or at timber tables by the fireplace for chunky pasta and mostly meat dishes. From the lake follow the signs up Vicolo dei Nessi.
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Chiesa Nuova
Built in the 17th century, the Chiesa Nuova has an almost sickeningly ornate baroque ceiling. Outside, left of the entrance, stands a giant statue of St Christopher with disproportionately tiny feet.
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Giardini Jean Arp
Giardini Jean Arp is a lakeside park off Lungolago Motta, with sculptures by the surrealist artist scattered among the palm trees. It is free to swim in various convenient spots around the lake.
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Cimetta
From Cimetta, at 1672m, there are fine views and walking trails. Paragliding is possible at Cimetta, as is skiing in winter.
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Chiesa di San Francesco
The 16th-century Chiesa di San Francesco has frescos by Baldassare Orelli.
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Chiesa di Sant 'Antonio
Chiesa di Sant 'Antonio is best known for its altar to the Cristo Morto (Dead Christ).
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