Rising on the eastern edge of Chiavenna are two hills "Paradiso" and "Castellaccio", both providing a magnificent panorama over the city and the surrounding countryside.
These two hills make up a botanic and archaeological park of the same name that is a part of a larger, protected natural reserve area called "Marmitte dei Giganti".
Remains of Chiavenna´s thousand year old fortress dominate the summit of this park which was established in 1955 and which today is part of the Museum of Valchiavenna.
The two hills, separated by the deep ravine of the "Caurga", are joined by a spectacular foot-bridge and thanks to a dense networh of well set-up paths visitors can just enjoy the park, or climb to the highest points each o f which give different views over the area as well as get to "Torrione", the nature museum.
There are many attractions justifying a visit to the "Paradiso Castellaccio" botanical archaeological park. On the two craggy hills you will find:
- distinctive environmental features, the unusual geo-morphology of the over-hanging rock that has been smoothed, rounded and excavated by glacial exaration (with small glacial basins or "potholes", and erosion channels);
- botanical variety: flowers and plants, including rare species and exotic vegetation and an informative nature walk;
- various archeological and historical remains - the ruins of the wall and fortress already documented in 995, it was the pivotal point of the city´s defensive system. Enclosing walls were built in 1400 under Sforza rule, however these walls were first destroyed in 1525, then again in 1639 when the Creson dominated the area. A contemporary, the Balbiani palace ("Il Castello") -situated at the foot of Paradiso hill and restored in the thirties - suffered the same fate. There is also the Caurga (an ollare stone quarry from Roman times that was later re established for defensive purposes and shows clear evidence of ancient excavations), artistic and architectural articles made from ollare stone, and floors in "boton" (discarded pieces of the same stone);
- at Torrione (rising from the rubble of an old tower of the wall) the naturalist section of the Valchiavenna museum, with exhibitions of minerals and fauna, illustrating the natural environment of the valley. (Nearby in other museum sections are an ex-brewery and the mill of an old pasta factory). Besides all this, from the very moment you enter "Ca Rossa" and follow any of the many paths in the park, interesting views appear presenting different vistas of the city below (with its historical centre, the San Lorenzo complex, and the natural rock cellars of the Pratogiano area) and of the surrounding villages and valleys.
The huge Caurga quarry, dating back to Roman times, is the source of the famed local pietra ollàre (potstone), and separates the two hills of Paradiso and Castellaccio.
Caurga in dialect actually means gorge or ravine and it was in the early fifties that the Alberghiera school was constructed there before moving to its current location.
It remains a splendid complex and has been subject to an extensive restoration project and will now bring together under one roof all the historical/artistic artefacts that had previously been scattered around the valley’s range of museums, under the auspices of the Comunità
Montana.
OPENING HOURS
From 29 October to 30 March
From Tuesday to Sunday: 10-12 e 14-17
From 30 March
From Tuesday to Sunday: 10-12 e 14-18
The last entrance is 30 minutes before the closing time.
PRICES
Full ticket: € 3,00
Reduced ticket: € 1,50
- students;
- school groups;
- groups with at least 15 people;
- over 65 years.
No dog shall be permitted except on leash
Contacts
For information: Consorzio Turistico Valchiavenna
T: +39 0343 37485
consorzioturistico@valchiavenna.com
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