Gandria, Protected village quarter on Lake Lugano, Switzerland
Gandria is a village quarter where stone houses rise directly from Lake Lugano's shore, linked by narrow pedestrian lanes and steep stone staircases between buildings. The settlement clings to the hillside in a compact layout, with no roads for vehicles inside its boundaries.
The village was first recorded in 1237 through documents of the bishop of Como and lived for centuries on olive growing, until a severe winter in 1709 destroyed the groves. After that event, the economy shifted but the settlement continued to be inhabited.
The village keeps alive the practice of storing wine, cured meats, and cheeses in mountain cellars dug beneath homes, a tradition that shapes daily life. You can see the entrance doors to these storage rooms scattered throughout the narrow streets.
The easiest way to reach this place is by taking a boat from central Lugano, which takes about 15 minutes, or you can walk the lakeside route through restored olive groves. There are no cars in the village itself, so wear comfortable shoes to handle the many staircases.
The Swiss Customs Museum located here displays the history of border trade between Switzerland and Italy through objects and exhibits. This collection reveals the economic ties that connected this remote settlement to its southern neighbors for centuries.
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