Discover Ronco Sopra Ascona

The medieval historic centre of Ronco sopra Ascona stretches across a rocky promontory overlooking the lake basin. From Ronco, views open up over Lake Maggiore, the Brissago Islands and the surrounding mountain ranges.

Historic centre, church and art history

The Church of San Martino dates back to the 15th century and was first consecrated in 1491. Its choir walls feature frescoes from 1492, attributed to the workshop of Antonio da Tradate. The main altarpiece by Antonio Ciseri depicts Saint Martin. These dates provide a specific context for understanding the church and its artworks.

Casa Ciseri is the birthplace of the painter Antonio Ciseri. Its interior retains decorations created largely by Francesco and Giuseppe Ciseri. The two ground-floor rooms are open to the public during events and guided tours; dates may vary. If you plan to visit, check what is currently available.

Al Salotto di Ronco houses the permanent exhibition “L’anima artistica di Fontana Martina”. It is dedicated to the community of artists who worked there from 1924 to 1938 and also features Peter Jordi’s craft ceramics. Fontana Martina is an old settlement that was rebuilt in 1924 by Fritz Jordi and his son Pietro together with a colony of artists, writers and reformers. The exhibition and the history of the place thus illuminate related but distinct aspects of its artistic tradition.

Other stops add to this picture: Circolo Verbano was a group of painters active in Ronco sopra Ascona from 1940 to 1960. In spring 2023, the painted aluminium artwork “Triffid V” by US artist Andrée Valley was installed in Piazza della Madonna. Check locally whether it is still on display.

Walks for different time budgets

The routes differ considerably in length, duration and course. The “Passeggiata panoramica sulle tracce del Genio Loci” is an easy, flat 3.3-kilometre walk, listed as taking one hour. It leads from Ronco sopra Ascona via Via Gottardo Madonna and Sentiero Romano to Monte Verità. For a shorter route, consider the “Passeggiata tra scalinate e bellezza mediterranea”: the 0.58-kilometre uphill walk takes 40 minutes and leads from Porto Ronco to Ronco. Along the way, palm trees, lemon trees and olive trees shape the Mediterranean landscape.

The “Giro botanico attorno al mondo” is also listed as taking 40 minutes. It is 1.2 kilometres long, starts near the historic centre and leads to Fontana Martina. Its lush vegetation has a Mediterranean and subtropical character. Compared with the shorter ascent from Porto Ronco, this route covers a longer distance in the same stated time and has a different destination. Colle San Marco’s Parco Natura e Salute also includes a botanical educational trail and a 1,000-metre circular path promoting health through the forest.

For a circular hike, the Ronco sopra Ascona–Porano–Non route starts in the medieval historic centre and leads through the forest and the hamlets of Porano and Non. Trail conditions may vary seasonally; check the current situation before setting off. The Ronco sopra Ascona–Corona di Pinz hike is marked red-white-red. The route offers views of the lake, the Maggia Delta and the surrounding mountain ranges; visibility depends on the weather.

Landscape and local history

The municipality includes Porto Ronco on the lakeshore and the Monti di Ronco in the mountains at an altitude of 1,300 metres. These contrasting landscapes give the place a distinct geographical character. The historic alpine pasture of Alpe Casone preserves traces dating back to the 17th century. The meadow around its buildings is still mown every year, and the terraces of at least four formerly cultivated plots remain visible.

Smaller architectural and cultural landmarks also tell the story of the area. The Capèla de Grupalt dates back to the 17th century and stands in the hamlet of Gruppaldo, on the road to Arcegno. Cappella Gruppaldo has a barrel vault with lunettes and is a historical testament to the work carried out by some residents of Ronco at the customs posts of Florence and Pistoia over five centuries. The historic lime kiln of Calzo is the only one still preserved in the local area, out of at least five or six lime kilns that once existed.

The Stocker apiary is another local speciality: a family-run beekeeping business in the hamlet of Gruppaldo, with a sales outlet on Via Livurcio. It produces chestnut honey from the blossoms of chestnut trees in the forests of Ronco and Arcegno. Check the outlet’s current opening arrangements before visiting. Ronco Cultura organises in-depth guided tours of the village and its surroundings.

Getting there and practical information

Bus 314 connects Locarno railway station with Ronco sopra Ascona. Check the timetable before travelling. Parking in the centre is limited; as parking availability may change, it is advisable to check the current situation. For hikes, also take seasonal trail conditions into account, and remember that visibility on scenic routes depends on the weather.

Discover more destinations: Cavigliano, Isorno, Solduno, Cugnasco-Gerra, Brione Sopra Minusio, Brissago, Verscio, Personico.

For the broader travel overview: Locarno.