Locarno, Lake Maggiore, Italy

Ouch! Beware of Swiss trains! They can do lasting damage!

..but only if you really need to!

One fascinating trip we took when we were in Italy, was up to the northern tip of Lake Maggiore, to Locarno in Switzerland.  It involved a car ride to Laveno, a ferry to Baveno, a train from Baveno to Domodossola, and the Panoramic Train from Domodossola to Locano.

After our long journey we needed sustenance. Yum! Pizza Siciliana!

Lunch over, we toured the city, but we decided against the tourist train.

 Getting ready for the evening's screening

Locarno's Piazza Grande was preparing for its annual International Film Festival. Every year, thousands of film fans flock to the square for the eleven day homage to movie greats in this magnificent setting.

Does this mean women with children are not allowed?

We walked through the picturesque streets of the old town.

 Chiesa Nuova (New Church)

 Consecrated in 1636, Chiesa Nuova is adorned with statues of St Christopher, St Victor, St Michael, St Rocco and St Sebastian, and richly decorated with stucco embellishments.

The statue of St Christopher is the largest of the statues.

Castello Visconteo, dating back to the 12th century.

Dating from the twelfth century, this castle of the Visconti family from Milan has been preserved in its original state. It is now an archeological museum that contains artefacts from as far back as the Roman times.

This fortified bastion, attached to the castle, is believed to have been

designed by Leonardo da Vinci

Unfortunately, we had to hurry to catch our ferry back down the lake, so we didn't have time to explore further. Perhaps next time! Although we did just have time for an ice cream.