Discover Biasca: churches, waterfalls and trails

Biasca combines historic buildings with trails into the surrounding countryside. The old town is home to churches and Casa Cavalier Pellanda; above the town are the Oratorio di Santa Petronilla and the Cascata di Santa Petronilla waterfall. Other highlights include the Via Francisca, an e-bike route and the Forte Mondascia Museo Militare. This gives visitors different ways to shape their stay: exploring local history, covering longer distances on foot or taking a trip into nature.

Biasca and the Three Valleys

Biasca is a village and a political municipality in the Canton of Ticino, in the Riviera district and subdistrict. It lies at the junction of the Riviera, Blenio and Leventina valleys. The municipality includes the left bank of the Ticino where the Brenno flows into the river. The Val Pontirone is also part of the municipality; it is enclosed to the east by peaks reaching almost 3,000 metres above sea level. The village and municipality therefore encompass different geographical scales: the old town is a starting point for visiting historic buildings, while the municipality also includes valley and mountain landscapes.

Churches, art and local history

Casa Cavalier Pellanda is a historic building in the old town. It was built in 1586 as a grand residence and has served as the region’s main exhibition venue since 1987. Art and historical exhibitions are held here. The building thus brings together its architectural history and an exhibition programme that remains part of Biasca’s cultural offering.

The Church of San Pietro e Paolo dates back to the 11th century and was first mentioned in 1213 as a parish church for the Blenio, Leventina and Ticino valleys. Its frescoes include works from the 13th and 14th centuries and probably from the mid-17th century. Cav. G. B. Pellanda had the church’s Rosary Chapel built in 1600. Its architectural history, frescoes and chapel span different periods, making the church complex a distinct focus for exploring Biasca’s cultural heritage.

The Church of S. Carlo is also architecturally remarkable: it is the only example of Biasca-style architecture in Ticino with a central cruciform floor plan. Inside are a mid-18th-century painting depicting Saint Anthony of Padua and a carved, gilded wooden tabernacle dating from 1697. The tabernacle depicts Paolo Pisoni of Ascona.

Oratorio di Santa Petronilla and Forte Mondascia

Above the old town, the Oratorio di Santa Petronilla stands on a scenic plateau near the Froda stream. The simple building dates from the 17th century. Frescoes in the choir and nave depict scenes from the life of Saint Petronilla, angels playing music and votive images. The area around the Oratorio was the setting for the signing of the Carta di Biasca on 1 January 1292, which recorded the community’s rights. This historical reference concerns the area around the Oratorio, not an interior space.

A Way of the Cross leads from the Church of Saints Peter and Paul to the Oratorio di Santa Petronilla. It was restored between 1991 and 1997, runs through a chestnut grove and has 14 stations for contemplating the Passion of Christ. The route thus combines a sequence of religious stations with the climb to the Oratorio. Visitors interested in cultural history can take in both the architecture and art along the way and the surrounding landscape.

The Forte Mondascia Museo Militare is housed in a fort built during the Second World War on the «LONA» military line. The exhibition includes personal equipment, infantry cannons, mortars, machine guns and flamethrowers. Outside, visitors can see cannons, mobile artillery howitzers and mountain anti-aircraft guns. Groups can visit the museum year-round by prior arrangement; individual visits are only possible during events. Check the access conditions before your visit.

Waterfall, hiking and e-biking

The Ri della Froda rises at Alpe di Lago below Cima di Biasca and forms the Cascata di Santa Petronilla waterfall above Biasca. The waterfall is considered the highest in Ticino. It is about a 20-minute walk from Piazza Centrale; conditions on the trail may vary. This offers different time scales, from a short walk from the town centre to a longer hiking stage: the walk to the Cascata takes about 20 minutes, while the Aquila–Biasca stage takes approximately 5 hours and 20 minutes on foot.

The Aquila–Biasca stage is 21 kilometres long. Near Biasca, the Via Francisca is described as an official route leading to the Way of St. James. As routes can change, check the current route before setting out. Those who prefer to travel by e-bike have another option: the Valle di Blenio e-bike route starts in Biasca and passes through Malvaglia and Semione. Check the detailed route conditions before setting off. The two options differ both in mode of transport and in the waypoints and times given.

Getting there and ice skating

Biasca is 15 minutes from Bellinzona by train. Check the current timetable for your specific journey. Another attraction is the Pista di Ghiaccio Biascarena: it can accommodate up to 1,800 people and has a restaurant overlooking the ice rink. The facility is open to the public for recreational skating; check the public skating times in advance. Along with its churches, the Oratorio, waterfall and the routes described above, Biasca offers a range of ways to plan a stay around culture, nature and activity.

Discover more destinations: Cresciano, Claro

For the regional travel overview: Riviera.