In the July heat wave Thursday 6th was no exception so, armed with sunglasses, protective cream, hats and sensible footwear, we met up at Capo Lago and boarded a packed carriage of the Mt. Generoso mountain railway. Soon we were looking down from the track that hugs an almost vertical rock face. Reassuringly, having passed through a tunnel the track then winds through the wooded lower slopes, stopping at the Bellavista were we disembarked as planned.
Despite the heat, one of our members (who since childhood is well acquainted with the mountain), insisted on walking through the woods and trying out the newly renovated foot path to the summit. In the meantime, us mere mortals, enjoyed a decidedly less strenuous, circular walk through the peaceful woods to a spectacular view over the lake and Mt. San Giorgio, returning to catch the next train up. Once out of the trees, steep alpine pastures fell away to the south and the track continued up the long, gentle curve with a view of our destination, the ‘Fiore di Pietra’.
This impressive new construction by the renowned architect Mario Botta, opened in April of this year and replaced the previous hotel built in 1960, but demolished in 2010 due to structural problems. The first hotel on this sight was constructed in the 1890’s. The ‘Fiore di Pietra’ sits very comfortably in its surroundings, the solid octagonal form is broken up by deep receded segments sporting large windows and, typical of constructions by Arch. Mario Botta, the outer surface is enhanced, in this case using alternative layers of smooth and rough hewn granite from a quarry in Ticino. The external covered areas offered us welcome shade from the mid-day sun with amazing views in all directions. Unfortunately the distant cloud formation and slight haziness prevented a view to Mt Rosa, Cervino and the Jungfrau that can be seen on a clear day, however there were an abundance of amazing views, for me the most impressive was down the sheer precipice on the north side. The mountain air and our circular walk were more than enough reason to seek the self-service restaurant for a light lunch. Whilst some members then had to catch an early train, the indefatigable Mario accompanied by Jenny set off on the steep path to the summit 1704 m. Though duly impressed, the rest of us were happy to watch their progress from the shady terrace!
Having noted the original ‘graffiti’ of Dott Carlo Pasta, in the entrance hall, during the descent it was right that our thoughts dwelt on the man who in 1890 at the age of 68 celebrated the completion of his project, the cog railway to the summit of Mt Generoso. Followed by Gottleib Duttweiler (founder of Migros) who, in 1941 bought the entire concession, thus saving it from being dismantled for scrap metal! and, 75 years later, through the Migros cultural percentage, continues to sponsor the railway.
Patty Pellegrini-Temple
