Parco Archeologico Botanico del Paradiso e Museo Archeologico della Valchiavenna

About

There are many attractions justifing a visit to the "Paradiso" botanical-archaeological park. On the two craggy hills, linked by easy paths, you will flnd:• distinctive environmental features, the unusual geo-morphology of the over-hanging rock that has been excavated by glacial exaration;• botanical variety: flowers and plants, including rare species and exotic vegetation;• various archaeological and historical remains - the ruins of the wall and fortress (already documented in 995). There is also the Caùrga (an ollare stone quarry from Roman times that was later re-established for defensive purposes and shows clear evidence of ancient excavations), artistic and architectural articles made from ollare stone, and floors in "botòn" (discarded pieces of the same stone).• at Torrione the naturalist section of the Valchiavenna museum, with exhibitions of minerals and fauna, illustrating the natural environment of the valley. Besides all this, interesting landscapes appear from the paths, presenting different views of the town below (with its historical centre, the San Lorenzo complex, and the natural rock-cellars of the Pratogiano area) and of the surrounding villages and valleys.

At a glance

• Typical visit: about 1 hour 30 minutes