San Bernardo Hermitage

Starting from the centre of Comano, north of Lugano, a forest road leads to the ancient San Bernardo Hermitage, located on the hill of the same name. The Via Crucis (Way of the Cross) by internationally renowned Comano artist Nag Arnoldi (1928-2017) accompanies us along the way. The little church contains frescoes attributed to Giovan Battista Tarilli (St Bernard and the Conversion of the Duke of Gascony), dating from 1574, and an enthroned Madonna with Saints Roch and Sebastian. The forest surrounding the hermitage consists mainly of chestnut, beech and birch trees. From San Bernardo, the view sweeps southwards towards the Gulf of Lugano, Agno and the Vedeggio valley, and northwards towards Capriasca and Val Colla. To the east you can see the Denti della Vecchia, Monte Boglia and the Cassarate Valley.