Tirano is a fascinating town in Valtellina with ancient origins, standing at the crossroads between Italy and Switzerland. The meeting point between the Trans-Alpine itinerary, through the passes of Aprica and Bernina, and the route that connects Milan with the Upper Valtellina, its past has made it rich in artistic and cultural heritage today: churches, palazzi, towers, castles and medieval gates. Standing out among the beauties of the city is the famous Basilica of the Madonna del Tirano, which is the finest example of Renaissance architecture in Valtellina. The basilica is built in the exact place where the Blessed Virgin appeared to Tiranese Mario Omodei and has long been the destination of worshippers coming from all over Europe.
Read more The historic centre is embellished by the 17th-century Palazzo Salis, which, with its beautiful rooms, today is an extraordinary artistic and cultural heritage building, and Palazzo Merizzi, which hosts precious treasures inside it such as the garden of honour with a square plan and numerous rooms with period decorations, some in Louis XIV style. The Tiranese Ethnographic Museum (MET) faces onto Piazza della Basilica and, if you stroll through the historic centre, you can see the remains of the Sforzas’ town walls and the Bormina, Milanese and Poschiavina gates. In a strategic and panoramic position, the thousand-year-old Chiesetta di Santa Perpetua dominates the square of the Basilica below and the entire territory surrounding the town. In Tirano you can climb on board one of the most famous trains in the world: the "Trenino Rosso del Bernina" (or Bernina Express). No longer just a connection between Italy and Switzerland, but a UNESCO World Heritage Site, through the windows of its carriages you can enjoy a unique and fascinating experience through the high altitudes of the Ospizio Bernina, the Upper Engadina, the renowned Sankt Moritz and the valley of the River Inn.
The Tirano area is the perfect location to take refuge from the chaos of the city, cradled by the tranquillity of its extensive green spaces, where outdoor activities can regenerate body and soul. The mild climate in the Valtellinese summers is excellent for long walks immersed in nature, with magnificent views of the imposing Orobie Alps and the small surrounding towns and villages. But the Tirano area and the Mid-Valley are considered the cradle of the bike, where cycle paths for families and for all ages are interwoven with more challenging ones for the more experienced: the perfect destination for enthusiasts of the world on two wheels.
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