HannahHopsTheGlobe: The Charming Swiss Village Gandria (With Photographs!)

Hi Steemit friends! Welcome to my HannahHopsTheGlobe post. Topic of the day: the charming swiss village Gandria

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During a visit to Switzerland, I had the great fortune of visiting Gandria. This hidden treasure, located on the northern shore of Lake Lugano, is an adorable village that cascades up the side of a mountain.

View of Gandria from the Lake

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To give a little background, Gandria sits at the base of Mt. Brè, which means “mountain” in Celtic. The earliest human traces in the area around Gandria come from the iron-age people of the Celts (as of 800 B.C.). Archives from the bishop of Como make first mention of “Gandrio” in 1237, however the present day site along the lake appears to have been established in the 14th century, while the original site further up the mountain was abandoned. Gandria was historically only accessible by boat and steep trails, so locals lived by gardening, raising livestock and eating fish from the lake until 1935 when tunnels and a new road above the lake shore connected the village to Lugano and Italy.

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Gandria was an independent municipality until 2004, when it joined with Lugano. The center of the village of Gandria is historically protected, and is not accessible by car. Most people who visit Gandria arrive using boat services on the lake. You can also walk from Lugano to Gandria on a footpath, which is now branded the Olive Path due to the route passing by plantations of olive trees (along with beautiful views of Lake Lugano). I opted for the boat route myself!

Part of the Village Center in Gandria

Part of the Village Center in Gandria

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Today, Gandria is inhabited by approximately 200 people who live there year-round, many of whom are from families that have been there for many generations. A large portion of those who live there work in the nearby financial center of Lugano, however Gandria is also known to have a large population of artists of various trades. I absolutely loved visiting Gandria, and wandering the narrow footpaths and winding stairs. The history of the site contrasted by a touch of modernity made this destination feel extra special.

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Gandria is mostly residential, so I recommend planning to visit for an afternoon so you can wander around and then enjoy a lovely lunch at one of the few restaurants in the village. When I was there, I was fortunate enough to happen upon Locanda Gandriese, an adorable little restaurant with a balcony where you can sit and eat delicious pasta while taking in the lovely views of Lake Lugano and the surrounding mountains. It was such a special experience!

Partial View From The Table at Locanda Gandriese

Three Birds Perched Next To Me at Locanda Gandriese, So Quaint!

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If you haven't heard of Gandria before, I hope this inspires you to add it to your travel list. It is 100% worth it!

Thanks for reading! I hope you enjoyed. Until next time....

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