Verzasca valley
The Verzasca Valley ( Italian: Valle Verzasca ) is a valley in the Swiss canton of Ticino and belongs to the Locarno district . In the Verzasca Valley are the municipalities of Mergoscia , Vogorno , Corippo , Lavertezzo , Brione (Verzasca) , Gerra (Verzasca) , Frasco and Sonogno . With the exception of Mergoscia, which is part of the Navegna County , all are grouped together in the Verzasca County .
location
The Verzasca Valley is a wild valley with steep slopes and countless waterfalls. The Verzasca houses ( Rustici ) made of gray stone with white borders on the windows and heavy stone slab roofs are typical of the valley. The chapels along the paths testify to the religious beliefs of the valley inhabitants.
The Verzasca valley and Mergoscia are the geometric center of Ticino. It is the only valley that borders only on the Ticino valleys. It lies between the Leventina and the Maggia Valley and extends over a length of 25 km in a south-north direction north of Lake Maggiore . The valley floor is at 500–900 m above sea level. The mountains that frame the whole valley have an average height of 2400 m. The valley is traversed by the Verzasca river, which is dammed at the exit of the valley and forms Lake Vogorno before it flows into Lake Maggiore in the Magadino plain near the Ticino .
The side valleys of the Valle Verzasca can be reached from the following communities: On the right side of the valley: the Val Resa and Valle di Mergoscia from Mergoscia; the Val di Corippo from Corippo; the Val d'Orgnana and Valle del Cansgell of Lavertezzo; the Val d'Osura of Brione; the Val Redòrta and Val Vegornèss from Sonogno. On the left side of the valley: the Val della Porta of Vogorno; the Val Carecchio, Val Pincascia and Val d'Agro of Lavertezzo; the Val Mött of Gerra; the Val d'Efra of Frasco.
Climate, flora and fauna
Due to the different altitudes, all climatic zones are united in the Valle Verzasca. Tenero-Contra and Gordola are part of the Insubrian climatic region thanks to the low sea level, proximity to the lake and the protection of the mountains of the Verzasca Valley from the north winds. Vineyards and Mediterranean vegetation benefit from the mildest climate in Switzerland, fog is rare and rainfall is short-lived. This climate extends far into the valley, where vines, chestnut forests and palm trees thrive. With increasing altitude it goes over the hill and mountain climate to the regions with an alpine climate (over 2000 m above sea level). Because of the differences in the nature of the soil and the altitude, you can find almost all of the flora and fauna in the various environmental zones in the Verzasca Valley.
The sweet chestnut ( Castanea sativa ) introduced by the Romans is the dominant tree species in the southern part of the valley, below 1000 m. Their wood has properties similar to that of tropical woods. The chestnut forests have not been cultivated since the 1950s because they are mostly coppice forests . In the Verzasca you can find chestnut trees “set on the cane” near villages and Maiensässen (monti), that is, tree stumps that have been sawn off at about man's height. Since the chestnut has the ability to sprout from the sawn tree stump again ( stick rash ), one simply had to wait (approx. 10 years) until the shoots reached the desired size, in order to be able to be used, for example, as beams for the heavy stone roofs. Studies published in 2005 on test systems suggest using the valuable chestnut wood again as valuable wood - for example for parquet floors.
In the Verzasca valley, the old goat breed Nera-Verzasca-goat has been preserved, which looks very similar to the Roman goat, as has been proven on the basis of horn finds in Augusta Raurica . This robust medieval goat has short hair because it does not get caught in the snow.
economy
In the past, the population mainly operated in agriculture, that is, above all, grazing. From the 14th century, residents wintered with their cattle in the Magadino plain. Seasonal emigration to gainful employment has taken place since the 17th century. Unemployed and adventurous men were recruited as mercenaries for foreign military service.
Since 1873, granite has been mined by local workers in two quarries. With the connection to public transport, tourism developed from the end of the 19th century. In the later 19th century, after the Californian gold rush, the tradition of the California migration began in the Verzasca Valley, which can partly be seen as a substitute for the older European emigration tradition that had been broken off.
During the crisis of the 1930s, unemployment also spread in the Verzasca, and since America had closed its borders, emigration was no longer possible.
In order to help the unemployed population, the “Comitato per i lavori casalinghi a domicilio” was founded. The valley dwellers were engaged in typical handicraft activities: dyeing wool with natural colors (leaves, roots and fruits that are present on site), hand-spinning, knitting and woodwork to alleviate their financial hardship. From this in 1933 the "Pro Verzasca" developed, a local association to protect the moral and material interests of the region and its best qualities.
The conversion of the old Verzasca houses (Rustici) into holiday homes creates jobs, increases tourism income and ensures that the old houses and the characteristic townscape are preserved.
In 1990 only 20 percent of the workforce was employed in the agricultural sector.
traffic
The only access to the valley for car traffic and the post bus is in the south from Tenero or Gordola. The canton road beginning on the left side of the valley leads via Vogorno, Corippo, Lavertezzo, Brione (Verzasca), Gerra (Verzasca), Frasco and ends in Sonogno. It was only built between 1866 and 1871. A short spur road leads to Corippo.
On the right side of the valley, the road and post bus route from Locarno already ends in Mergoscia .
tourism
The many peaks with a view of the Valais, Bern, Glarus and Graubünden Alps as well as the numerous transitions into the side and neighboring valleys make the Valle Verzasca an Eldorado for mountain hikers. The Cornavosa , Barone, Cognora, Efra, Osola, Fümegna and Borgna mountain huts offer accommodation and meals.
The Sentierone Valle Verzasca is a red and white marked hiking trail (mountain path) that leads from Tenero above Lake Vogorno or via Mergoscia and later along the Verzasca in several stages to Sonogno.
The Via Alta della Verzasca (VAV) is one of the wildest mountain hikes in Switzerland ( SAC hiking scale = T6). It leads over abandoned Alps, rugged ditches and side valleys that are difficult to access and connects five huts with one another. The route is marked blue and white and the most difficult places are secured with safety devices (wire ropes, metal brackets). The VAV often leads through very exposed terrain with climbing areas, so it is only recommended for experienced mountain hikers.
The mountain hike Trekking 700 from Mesocco (GR) to Formazza (I) leads through the Valle Verzasca: the 4th stage: Biasca - Capanna Efra, the 5th stage: Capanna Efra - Sonogno and the 6th stage: Sonogno - Prato-Sornico .
The Verzasca River is popular among canoeists and divers, but is considered difficult to dangerous.
Crossings in the Verzasca valley
| Transition / pass | m above sea level M. | Coordinates | Starting point (hut) | Destination of the pass hike |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Left side of the valley: | ||||
| Ruscada, Passo di | 2069 | 715.040 / 121.010 | Vogorno → Cap. Borgna | Cugnasco, Sementina (Magadino plain) |
| Medee, Bocchetta di | 2149 | 715.230 / 121.290 | Vogorno → Cap. Borgna | Preonzo (Leventina Valley) |
| Cazzane, Bocchetta | 2104 | 714.730 / 121.520 | Vogorno → Cap. Borgna | Preonzo, Moleno (Leventina Valley) |
| Rognoi, Bocchetta di | 2219 | 713.450 / 121.820 | Lavertezzo | Vogorno |
| Rierna, Bocchetta di | 2295 | 710.960 / 130.210 | Lavertezzo | Personico (Leventina Valley) |
| Gana, Butta della | 2207 | 709.200 / 132.630 | Frasco | Personico (Leventina Valley) |
| Corte Nuovo, Passo di | 2431 | 708.980 / 131.010 | Gerra | Personico (Leventina Valley) |
| Gagnone, Passo del | 2217 | 708.710 / 132.070 | Frasco → Cap. d'Efra | Personico (Leventina Valley) |
| Curtin, Passo del | 2242 | 708.550 / 131.940 | Frasco → Cap. d'Efra | Personico (Leventina Valley) |
| Piatto, Passo di | 2108 | 704.650 / 138.540 | Sonogno | Chironico (Leventina Valley) |
| Barone, Passo | 2274 | 701.360 / 139.940 | Sonogno | Chironico (Leventina Valley) |
| Motto, Bassa di | 2274 | 707.870 / 130.140 | Lavertezzo | Gerra |
| Right side of the valley: | ||||
| Lupo, Passo del | 2017 | 704.870 / 120.360 | Corippo Mergoscia | Gordevio (Valle Maggia) |
| Orgnana, Bocchetta di | 1950 | 704.650 / 121.980 | Lavertezzo | Gordevio (Valle Maggia) |
| Nimi, Passo di | 2048 | 703.060 / 123.290 | Brione → cap. Alp | Gordevio (Valle Maggia) |
| Deva, Passo | 2036 | 702.710 / 125.390 | Brione | Maggia (Valle Maggia) |
| Canova, Bocchetta | 2226 | 696.050 / 130.780 | Brione | Giumaglio (Valle Maggia) |
| Pini, Bocchetta dei | 2198 | 696.630 / 132.880 | Brione | Menzonio (Val Lavizzara) |
| Cocco, Passo del | 2142 | 696.510 / 132.620 | Brione | Menzonio (Val Lavizzara) |
| Mügaia, Bocchetta di | 2518 | 698.230 / 134.090 | Brione | Sonogno |
| Ciossa | 2373 | 700.480 / 132.110 | Brione → Val d'Osura | Sonogno |
| Redorta, Passo di | 2181 | 699.010 / 135.850 | Sonogno | Prato-Sornico (Val Lavizzara) |
history
Because of its difficult accessibility, the Verzasca valley is considered to be one of the valleys that has best preserved its originality. The remote geographical location made it of no interest to the conquerors.
Evidence of a very early settlement of the Verzasca region was found at the mouth of the Verzasca. Stone types from the younger Stone Age (1800 BC) have been found there. In Berzona, a district (frazione) of Vogorno, there is a large bowl stone on the hiking trail , the Sass di Striöi (witch stone), which was probably built around 600–700 BC. Was edited. In total there are around ninety such chiseled rocks in the Verzasca Valley. In 1880 Tenero became an important Roman necropolis from the 1st and 2nd year. discovered AD. The finds (bronzes, amphorae, coins) are in the archaeological museum of the Castello di Visconti in Locarno.
Probably around 1000 AD, the valley inhabitants founded a community (comunità) consisting of the four village cooperatives (vicinie): Vogorno (with Corippo), Lavertezzo, Brione (with Gerra) and Frasco (with Sonogno). The community belonged to the Pieve of Locarno, against which it revolted in 1398. Between 1410 and 1500 the valley came under the rule of the Confederates, Savoy, Leventines and Rusca. After 1686 the community was able to free itself from the Marcacci bailiffs. In 1803 the Verzasca valley became a district (circolo) with the main town Lavertezzo. In religious terms, the Verzasca valley belonged to the parish of San Vittore di Locarno until the 13th century .
literature
- Max Gschwend: The Val Verzasca (Ticino). Its population, economy and settlement , Aarau 1946.
- Giuseppina Togni: Il prete rosso - History of the Val Verzasca , Armando Dadò Editore, 2012. ISBN 978-88-8281-336-9
- Elfi Rüsch: I monumenti d'arte e di storia del Canton Ticino. Distretto di Locarno IV: La Verzasca, il Pedemonte, le Centovalli e l'Onsernone. (= The art monuments of Switzerland. Volume 123). Ed. Society for Swiss Art History SKG. Bern 2013, ISBN 978-3-03797-084-3 , pp. 21-27.
Web links
- Daniela Pauli Falconi: Verzasca Valley. In: Historical Lexicon of Switzerland .
- Valle Verzasca at ethorama.library.ethz.ch/de/node
- Everything about the Verzasca Valley - hikes, photos, rusticos, holiday apartments, grottos
Individual evidence
- ^ A b Elfi Rüsch: Distretto di Locarno IV , ed. Society for Swiss Art History , Bern 2013, ISBN 978-3-03797-084-3 , pp. 21-27.
Coordinates: 46 ° 15 ′ 30 " N , 8 ° 50 ′ 6" E ; CH1903: 707,670 / 123934