Valle Verzasca
Valle Verzasca is a narrow valley in southern Ticino, bordered by steep mountain walls and crossed by a clear green river. The valley contains several villages, a large dam, deep pools, stone bridges, and eventually leads to hiking trails in the surrounding mountains.
The valley was a settlement area with Italian culture and language for centuries, with villages like Corippo being among the region's oldest. Dam construction from 1960 to 1965 changed the landscape significantly and created Lake Vogorno, which is now a landmark of the valley.
The valley is known locally as the green heart of Ticino, reflecting its role as a preserved natural space in the region. The names of villages and their architecture tell of Italian settlement, while traditional crafts such as wool work are still documented in museums today.
PostBus service connects the valley to nearby towns like Locarno and runs about every two hours, making it easy to reach without a car. Visitors should be aware of natural hazards, especially when swimming in the river, where strong currents and slippery rocks pose dangers.
The dam is famous as a filming location for a James Bond movie, where a jump from about 220 meters high was filmed, which is recreated every year by athletes at the Red Bull Dual Ascent. The film made this daring stunt world-famous and has attracted many visitors since who want to see the spot in person.
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