Leontica lies at about 876 m above sea level in the central Blenio Valley. The former municipality’s territory stretched from the Brenno River to the slopes of Nara, which reaches 2,330 m above sea level. Above Leontica, the Nara ski area is set in a wide, sunny basin between 1,400 and 2,200 m. The area therefore brings together different travel interests: historic churches in the village, a festival with a long tradition, and alpine destinations for cycling and other activities.
Churches and historical layers
San Giovanni Battista brings together several eras. An earlier building on the site is mentioned in 1136; the church itself has been documented since 1204. The Romanesque bell tower dates from the 12th century and has carved steatite capitals. The present-day Late Baroque church, by contrast, was built in the 18th century. This makes it possible to distinguish the history of the site, the tower’s older architecture, and the church building’s more recent form.
Santi Pietro e Paolo is also known from the 13th century; at the time, the church was dedicated to the Madonna. It retains a Romanesque bell tower, two narrow windows on the south side, and a fragment of a painted frieze. The main façade bears frescoes from two periods: the enthroned Madonna and Saint Christopher date from the late 15th century, while the depictions of Saints Roch and Sebastian date from the early 16th century. Visitors interested in architectural history and religious art will find different highlights here than at the Late Baroque church of San Giovanni Battista.
In the wider area around Leontica and Nara, the Romanesque church of San Carlo di Negrentino in the Blenio Valley is considered a popular excursion destination. It complements the churches in the village with a regional point of interest, without specifying a particular distance or route to get there.
Festa Patronale in late June
Every year in late June, Leontica holds the traditional patron saint festival, the Festa Patronale di San Giovanni Battista. The programme includes a parade by the local historic militia. It renews a vow made by soldiers on 28 November 1812 during the Battle of the Berezina. The festival is therefore a clear annual date to plan around; if you would like to experience it, you can arrange your trip for late June and check the specific event dates.
Cycling route, alpine pastures and Nara
The alpine surroundings also offer opportunities for cycling. Alpe Gualdo lies at 1,775 m in the vicinity of Cancori and the Nara cable car from Leontica. It can be reached via an unpaved patrimonial road that forms part of Cycle Route No. 65 (Gottardo Bike – SwitzerlandMobility). Alpe Tarco, at 1,734 m, can also be reached via an unpaved patrimonial road that belongs to this cycle route. The elevation difference between the two alpine pastures is 41 m; their road sections are part of the same signposted cycle route, but the information does not describe them as a combined loop.
Another route option is the challenging Cancorì Bike: the circular route runs from Acquarossa to Acquarossa, is 24.06 km long, and has a stated duration of 4 hours and 50 minutes. The steep ascent can be made easier by taking the Leontica–Cancorì chairlift; it operates seasonally. If you plan to use the lift for your tour, check in advance whether it will be running on your chosen date. The stated duration and difficulty help you assess this loop as a standalone tour highlight.
In the Nara ski area, possible activities include paragliding, telemark skiing and snowshoeing, as well as classic skiing. Which activities are available during a stay may vary by season. For travel planning, there are therefore two types of dates to consider: the patron saint festival, held every year in late June, and the seasonal activities and operation of the chairlift in Nara. Check the relevant event dates and operating hours if you would like to include these experiences in your plans.
Discover more destinations
Discover more destinations: Cumiasca, Castro, Corzoneso, Largario, Ponto Valentino.
Back to the main travel overview: Acquarossa.
