Malvaglia: Culture and Landscapes in the Val Malvaglia

Malvaglia is the main town in the municipality of Serravalle. The destination is characterised by the diverse landscapes of the Val Malvaglia, a variety of hiking trails and the cultural history of several buildings.

Landscapes and Getting to Dagro

The Val Malvaglia encompasses landscapes ranging from chestnut forests in the lower valley, through dry meadows and wetlands, to larch and spruce forests and alpine pastures. This sequence makes the contrast between lower-lying and high-altitude landscapes a distinctive feature of the valley.

The wider municipality of Serravalle includes part of the lower Valle di Blenio and the Val Malvaglia. The Orino River runs through the valley, which is also home to the artificial lake Laghetto della Val Malvaglia. The valley, its river and the lake are therefore all part of the municipality’s wider landscape.

One striking natural feature is the Cascata Fürbeda. The waterfall lies beyond the small hamlet of Dandrio and plunges dramatically downwards. Its distinctive shape defines large parts of the Val Malvaglia.

The Malvaglia-Dagro cable car takes you to Dagro in eight minutes. Dagro is a sunny terrace at an altitude of 1,400 metres. The cable car operates year-round; check the schedule for your travel date before setting off.

Hiking Trails and Selvapiana

The Val Malvaglia has a dense network of trails, with routes of varying lengths and difficulty levels. When planning, you can take both the distance and the level of difficulty into account.

One specific route is the Giro del Castello di Serravalle. The hike leads to the ruined village of Selvapiana, is six kilometres long and includes 480 metres of elevation gain. The stated duration is two hours and 30 minutes. Seasonal closures are possible, so check current conditions before planning your hike.

In the Middle Ages, Selvapiana was one of the most important inhabited centres in the entire valley. The grotti along the route are also part of its character today: these rustic buildings serve as restaurants, offering local produce and a glass of wine.

Cultural History and Buildings

The Casa dei Pagani in Malvaglia is one of the best-known examples of its kind in Ticino. It clings to a granite wall at the mouth of the Orino River gorge. Seen through the window, it appears as a rectangle suspended above the void. Archaeological finds suggest that the Casa dei Pagani was inhabited between the 11th and 14th centuries by wealthy families from the surrounding area and also served the farming population in times of war.

The Palazzo dei Landfogti, originally known as Casa Baggio, is a historic building in Malvaglia and is listed as a cultural property of cantonal importance. It is also considered one of the most significant examples of civil Renaissance architecture in Ticino. The building connects local architectural history with a style that extends beyond the town.

The Oratorio di S. Maria Bambina stands in Navone. The Baroque building has an octagonal floor plan and was built around a votive chapel.

The present-day Church of San Martino also preserves older architectural elements. It contains fragments of the side walls of a 13th-century church dedicated to Saint Martin. During extensions in the 16th and 17th centuries, these fragments were incorporated into the present building. The church thus brings together surviving parts of the older structure and later building phases.

Discover more destinations: Dagro, Acquacalda, Ghirone, Lottigna, Prugiasco, Marolta, Blenio, Olivone

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