Villa Principe Leopoldo

The Hermann Hesse Museum was established in the rooms of the Torre Camuzzi, in Montagnola, Switzerland in 1997. This ancient tower is part of the picturesque Casa Camuzzi where Hermann Hesse lived between 1919 and 1931. From his apartment, he had a marvellous view overlooking the lake of Lugano.

The Lake Lugano offers you more than 30 excursions on boat. Enrich your stay with a tour on the Lake Lugano and discover the romantic and paradisiac landscapes, the parks and the museums.

We suggest that visitors to Montagnola and the museum also combine a stop in Gentilino, where Hermann Hesse is buried. The cemetery of Gentilino is adjacent to the Church of Sant’Abbondio, which lies at the end of a magnificent cypress-flanked avenue. To the side of the church is a free-standing Romanesque clock tower, with a baroque bell room and an octagonal upper structure holding the dome; there is also an ossuary dated 1720, richly adorned with frescoes. In the church there are beautiful stuccos by Antonio and Eugenio Camuzzi, dated back approximately to the XVII century, and a cloth depicting the Virgin with Saint Domenico and Saint Caterina, by G. Petrini from Carona, author also of the silk gonfalon of the Confraternity of the Rosary. The current building was erected in the second half of the XVII century and restored in 1930 (facade) and 1998 (inside). During the major preservation works performed in 1998 and directed by Lugano architect Gianfranco Rossi, new windows were placed, allowing - as author Monk Roberto says - to “combine dynamism and silent concentration between the upward movement of prayers and the downward movement of meditation”.

Fun, entertainment, culture and relaxation. The Casinó Campione d’Italia is all this and more. Its splendid structure designed by the world famous architect Maria Botta, covers 55,000m² with 9 floors above ground, 3 parking floors underground, 28 elevators and 4 escalators. A truly breathtaking complex that reflects the dynamic, eclectic and innovative spirit of the Casino perfectly. This is an ideal location for enjoying not only the excitement of gaming, but also exquisite gourmet cuisine, and thrilling shows and concerts. The quality and excellence of our services are not directed only at players but also at companies and cultural and show business operators. Our vocation for entertainment and the welcome we offer makes the Casinó Campione d’Italia a very special experience that can be enjoyed over and over again.

If you want to have an overview of Switzerland and spend a nice time in a wonderful region, do not miss Swissminiatur, an exciting place and a must see attraction for everyone visiting Switzerland.

The Monte San Salvatore (912 m.a.m.s.l.) rises majestically above Lugano, dominating the skyline and offering incomparable sceneries over Lake Ceresio, the Lombard plain and the breathtaking Swiss and Savoy Alps. The rooftop of the church is a great vantage point, offering a spectacular 360° view.

Shopping in Lugano City.

The Monte Brè Cable Car opened in 1908. It was intended as a means of offering the inhabitants of Lugano a summer village where they could enjoy the fresh air, pleasant walks and spectacular views. It connects the centre of Lugano to the summit of Monte Brè in little more than 10 minutes, rising 629 metres along a route 1,599 metres in length. From Monte Brè, the sunniest mountain in Switzerland, you can admire the majesty of Monte Rosa and the Bernese and Valais Alps, and after a short walk you discover the hamlet of Brè with its unusual street furniture. In 2007, Lugano City Council became the majority shareholder in the company, with the aim of promoting an area that is not only unique for its type but also a symbol of the city itself and its tourism.