Meride: Fossils, Churches and Monte San Giorgio

Forests, fields and vineyards surround Meride; the historic village centre is home to a compact succession of numerous stately buildings dating from the 16th to the 18th century. The municipal area also includes the summit of Monte San Giorgio. The pyramid-shaped, wooded mountain lies on Lake Lugano and shapes the surrounding natural and cultural landscape. Meride itself was built on Triassic limestone known as Calcare di Meride.

Fossils and Earth’s history

Monte San Giorgio is considered the world’s most significant fossil record of marine life from the Triassic period, 245 to 230 million years ago. The Museo dei fossili del Monte San Giorgio offers a closer look at the finds, displaying fossil animals and plants from the Monte San Giorgio UNESCO World Heritage Site. Spread across four floors, the exhibition uses illustrations and models to explain prehistoric life in the sea and along the coasts of southern Ticino from 245 to 180 million years ago.

The exhibition was renovated and expanded by Ticino architect Mario Botta and opened on 13 October 2012. Two time spans are relevant to understanding it: the mountain’s significance as a fossil record concerns marine life from the Triassic period, while the exhibition covers prehistoric life over the period from 245 to 180 million years ago.

Art and historic buildings

The Museo via Peyer displays wooden and metal sculptures, reliquaries, candlesticks and small altars from the 17th and 18th centuries. The collection also includes oil paintings on canvas and fresco fragments by F. A. Giorgioli, his workshop and anonymous artists. The museum also houses the Sala Scalmegna, an underground room that once served as an old underground entrance to the village of Meride.

Churches and chapels are another area of art-historical interest. San Silvestro stands on a promontory associated with an earlier castle and is documented as far back as 1483. The church contains Baroque frescoes by F. A. Giorgioli depicting episodes from the lives of Pope Sylvester and Emperor Constantine. The Cappella degli Oldelli brings together the history of the route and its art: the 16th-century chapel lies at the first ascent of the Via ai Monti, the path leading to Monte San Giorgio. Traces of early 17th-century frescoes depicting San Zaccaria and Santa Lucia remain inside; the artist is unknown.

The Cappella Madonna di Loreto in Spinirolo in Campagna also dates from the 16th century. Its fresco bears an inscription dated 1563. Together with the earlier documented date for San Silvestro, this provides a specific chronological reference point for Meride’s religious buildings without conflating the different buildings and their artworks.

Trails and outdoor experiences

Acqua del Ghiffo is an open-air museum featuring models and reconstructions of the animals and sea of that time. It is accessible day and night all year round. Acqua del Ghiffo and the Aula di Carpanee are a 45-minute walk from the village of Meride, towards Serpiano, along the cross-border geopalæontological trail marked in purple. A few steps from the Museo dei fossili, this trail towards Serpiano passes a panoramic terrace overlooking the Middle Triassic. There is also an educational learning site in the forest above the Gaggiolo stream.

A route to Monte San Giorgio starts in Meride and passes through the forest and along a paved stone path to the summit. According to the route description, the Ceresio and the surrounding mountains are visible from there. The hike can be combined with descent options to Serpiano and Crocifisso, or with a lower-lying return route to Meride via the Sentiero del Meriggio.

Another option is the Monte San Giorgio circular cycling route, which passes through Meride and connects the lake and mountains. It is 28 kilometres long, fully paved and suitable for all types of bicycles. The activities on offer therefore differ clearly in format: the hiking route leads through the forest and along a paved stone path to the summit, while the cycling route is described as a paved circuit. Before setting off, it is advisable to check the signage and conditions.

Discover more destinations: Besazio, Ligornetto, Balerna, Novazzano, Stabio, Capolago, Mendrisio, Castel San Pietro.

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