Cunardo: Find hotels for culture, nature and sport

If you are looking for a hotel in Cunardo, local attractions can help you decide whether the town suits the purpose of your trip: sacred architectural history, ceramics, a karst landscape shaped by water and seasonal sporting activities each offer a different focus. Two distinctions are especially important when planning: the active, wet section of the Orrido may only be visited with a guide, and in summer the cross-country ski trail becomes a paved network of cycle paths.

Church Architecture and Ceramics

The Chiesa di Sant'Abbondio in Cunardo was built between 1752 and 1760 on the site of an existing Romanesque religious building. The older religious building and the later construction therefore represent two clearly distinct periods in the church’s history. If you are including culture and architectural history in your travel plans, the church offers a tangible connection to both.

Cunardo ceramics are also associated with the distinctive colour “blu Cunardo”; only local master craftspeople knew the secret of its production. The colour and the production know-how are two different aspects of this local specialty: the colour identifies its distinctive feature, while the secret concerns its artisanal production. Together with the church, this creates a cultural interest that is not based solely on architectural history.

The Orrido di Cunardo

The Orrido di Cunardo is a karst complex of galleries and caves carved out by the Margorabbia stream. Here, the landscape has been shaped directly by the watercourse. For a visit, it is important to note the precise restriction: only experienced visitors may enter the active, wet section, and that section may be visited only with a guide. If you plan to visit this particular section, make sure your plans meet both conditions; they do not apply across the entire karst complex.

Cross-country skiing and cycling throughout the year

The “Sole e Neve” cross-country ski trail is operated by the Sci Club Cunardo. The club organises individual and group courses each year, as well as introductory courses for schools. These are several different course formats to bear in mind when planning a sports-focused stay.

In summer, the trail becomes a fully paved network of cycle paths connecting Cunardo with the neighbouring municipalities. Cross-country skiing and cycling therefore offer different seasonal activities: the courses are associated with the ski trail, while the cycle path network is available in summer. This comparison can help you choose when to travel, especially if you are planning your stay around one of these two activities.

Flour production and finding your way around

The Mulino Rigamonti offers another aspect of local production: it is operational and produces and sells various types of flour. This complements the history of ceramics with another local theme of production and sales.

The Fornaci Ibis are located in Cunardo, in the hamlet of Camartino. If you would like to visit the Fornaci Ibis, please check whether visits are possible before travelling.

Discover more destinations: Tronzano Lago Maggiore, Ternate, Porto Ceresio, Musignano, Tornavento, Besozzo, Cadegliano-Viconago, Cuasso al Monte.

For the wider travel overview: Varese.