Anzonico: Churches, Village Centre and Strada Alta

Anzonico lies on the left-hand slope of the Valle Leventina at an altitude of about 1,002 metres. Its village centre and the Strada Alta della Leventina give a trip two distinct focal points: the architectural history of a compact village and a hiking route that passes through Anzonico. If you would like to include hiking and architectural history in your travel plans, you can find both here: the village’s architecture and the stages of the Strada Alta.

Churches and historic buildings

The parish church of San Giovanni Battista was built in 1667 after an avalanche destroyed its predecessor, which had been consecrated in 1404. The present church has a single-nave hall, a square choir and side chapels. Its furnishings include a valuable wooden altar from 1791, created by local artist Felice Rigoli. The Crucifixion group that forms part of the altar comes from Milan. These specific details bring the building’s history to life: the reconstruction after its destruction, the layout of the space and its artistic furnishings.

The village centre is also part of the local character: it forms a compact group of traditional buildings of the Leventina type, including numerous masonry houses dating from the 19th century. The Casa Patriziale is another example from this period. The building has three bays and three storeys, a portico and a pyramidal roof made of stone slabs. On the eastern edge of the village centre stands the Chapel of S. Antonio da Padova, built in 1678. Together, these buildings show different aspects of the village’s history: religious buildings stand alongside homes and a building with a clearly defined architectural form.

Location and route connections

Anzonico lies on a steep, meadow-covered south-west-facing slope, on a terrace in the terrain. An old mule track leads up from the valley to the parish church complex and continues uphill to the village centre. Along this route, the hillside setting, the church complex and the compact village centre come together. It provides a clear route through the village, from the valley up to the houses.

Hiking the Strada Alta della Leventina

The Strada Alta della Leventina runs for 48 kilometres from Airolo to Biasca, passing through Anzonico. The route is divided into three stages; the sections associated with the village are Osco–Anzonico and Anzonico–Biasca. This makes it easy to pinpoint Anzonico along the route: the names of the two stages mark the way to the village and the onward section towards Biasca. The Strada Alta is well signposted and passes through historic villages.

At several points along the route, you can return to the valley on foot or by PostBus. This is a practical consideration when planning which stage to walk. As route conditions can change, check the latest route description before setting out.

Local cuisine in autumn

The Osteria Anzonico serves traditional local dishes and regional specialities. In autumn, a variety of game dishes are available, including saddle of venison Baden-Baden style, venison medallions, game ragout and roast chamois. Wild-game fondue chinoise is available as a speciality by prior arrangement. If you are planning your visit around a particular dish, check the seasonal menu before you go.

Discover more destinations: Dalpe, Quinto Ti, Bedretto, Giornico, Cavagnago, Sobrio, Prato, Campello.

For the regional travel overview: Leventina.