Natural stone house in a sunny and quiet location (91)

Claro: Location and surroundings of this property

Claro is a village of 3141 inhabitants in the municipality of Bellinzona and was until 1 April 2017 an autonomous locality in the district of Riviera with an area of about 21 km²; on 2 April 2017 it was merged with the city of Bellinzona together with the other surrounding municipalities. At only about 10 minutes by car from Bellinzona, the capital of Ticino, and about 30 minutes by car and Locarno and the famous Lake Maggiore, Claro, sunny and protected from the north winds, is in a prime location, not only for agriculture and wine, but also for construction. And also for nature lovers, this particularly charming area can be easily explored thanks to a dense network of hiking trails. In the village, just after the church of Sant’Ambrogio, at the end of the village, the mule track to the Benedictine monastery of Santa Maria Assunta begins. A walk along the ancient mule track is like a journey into the past and a metaphor for life: sometimes challenging and exhausting, with twists and turns; from the hustle and bustle of everyday life you come to rest. Once on the rocky outcrop, you are surprised by the beauty of the panorama: the view of the Riviera and the Bellinzona region is magnificent. The Benedictine monastery of Santa Maria Assunta stands on a rocky spur. The striking white building is surrounded by chestnut groves and lies in the midst of a beautiful landscape and contemplative silence. It was founded in 1490 and is the oldest monastery in Ticino. The church, dedicated to the Madonna, dates back to 1300.