Discovering the Artistic and Architectural Treasures in Ticino
The lands of Canton Ticino have, over the centuries, given birth to great architects and sculptors. They built and decorated churches and palaces all across Europe — from Constantinople to Madrid, from Rome to St. Petersburg, from Venice to Beijing.
With Ticino Sacro, we tell their story — not only through their works here in Ticino, but also by showing how their vision shaped the world, from the façade of St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome to the restoration of Hagia Sophia.
But Ticino is also Romanesque, Renaissance, Baroque, Counter-Reformation, and Neoclassical — without forgetting the humble yet deeply devotional “folk art” that decorates the niches on village houses and the many Via Crucis paths.
In Ticino, there are over 100 representations of the Last Supper, the most famous being in Ponte Capriasca, a faithful reproduction of Leonardo da Vinci’s masterpiece from Santa Maria delle Grazie in Milan.
Our sanctuaries — from the Madonna dei Miracoli in Morbio Inferiore to the Madonna del Sasso in Locarno, from the Madonna d’Ongero in Carona to the Madonna del Castelletto in Melano — invite visitors to explore faith and art side by side.
You can also admire beautifully preserved examples of Romanesque architecture, such as the Church of San Nicolao in Giornico.
Discover Ticino Sacro through our articles — and even better, by joining one of our guided tours, easily bookable and available all year round.
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The History and Christian Folk Traditions in Ticino
✅ With more than 450 churches –Ticino’s landscape is dotted with centuries of faith and history .
✅ More than 5,000 sacred representations can be found throughout Ticino – in chapels, roadside shrines, small sanctuaries, wayside tabernacles, and devotional frescoes adorning even non-religious buildings.
✅ In Ticino, around 60 Catholic brotherhoods are still active today– living heirs to a tradition that once counted more than 1,100 confraternities across the territory of the Diocese of Lugano. These centuries-old associations continue to play a vital role in preserving the region’s religious and cultural heritage.
✅ Discover the Historical Processions of Mendrisio from their origins to the present day. Featuring over 700 participants, these processions have been recognized as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage since 2019.
✅ The Church of San Carlo, formerly dedicated to Sant’Ambrogio – is a Romanesque gem in the Blenio Valley. Inside, visitors can admire cycles of frescoes from different periods, including some of the oldest in Ticino.
✅ The Baptistery of Riva San Vitale is a remarkable early Christian monument – considered the oldest surviving masonry Christian building in Switzerland. Dating back to the 5th century, it features an octagonal plan, original marble floors, and rare immersion baptismal fonts. Inside, visitors can admire Romanesque frescoes and traces of later paintings, making it a unique glimpse into early Christian art and architecture in Ticino.
✅ Book a tour with TicinoSacro.com – We offer religious and sacred art tours in Canton Ticino, spanning from Romanesque to contemporary works. Particularly popular is our experiential tour, featuring a historical reenactment of the life of a hermit.
Thematic Tours of the Most Beautiful Churches in the Region
Discovering the oldest Early Christian monument in Switzerland.Explore the architectural features of the building, its precious frescoes, and the theological […]
The Church of Saint Ambrose the Elder in Negrentino is an architectural masterpiece, home to the oldest frescoes in the […]
The Church Tour of Lake Lugano includes boarding the boat from either the northern or southern basin — the choice […]
Discover the world of the hermits — who they were, what they did, their vocation, and the people who visited […]
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