No doubt about it: not even the serious pandemic that has hit the entire planet has managed to stop the activities of the San Salvatore funicular “Top of Lugano”. Needless to say, the results of the appearances were immediately comforting. In particular, the months of July and August recorded an influx of guests equal to that of previous years. Obviously, to achieve these successes, the beauty of the panorama offered by the top of the mountain most loved by Lugano and the efficiency of the funicular, which this year celebrates its 130th birthday, were not enough. The organization of the events was once again peculiar.
Since the reopening, the first hikers will surely have noticed a series of new synoptic tables, distributed in the various panoramic points. All nine panels offer captivating explanations of the territory and are accompanied by brand new, comfortable and colorful benches. At the highest point, or in the small terrace above the church, the two copper half-moons of 1902 have been skilfully restored thanks to the work of the late Aldo Morosoli. Now, those who want to enjoy the 360-degree panorama can do it even better using the precious tables returned to their ancient splendor. Of these and other amenities, the mysterious examiners of the Michelin Green Guide must have noticed, who for the third year in a row have recognized the Three Stars for the San Salvatore destination.
Inside the spaces of the Vetta Restaurant, which incidentally continues to satisfy the most demanding palates with a gastronomic offer of Mediterranean and local cuisine, a truly amazing photographic exhibition has been set up. Already from the title you can understand its peculiarity: San Salvatore 4 × 4 all-wheel drive, to put it in a few words! Photographer Stefano Crivelli shot over 500 poses of the mountain and surrounding landscape from the four cardinal points over the four seasons, selecting the most interesting ones for the exhibition. Through a special viewer and the stickers available, these can be seen in three-dimensionality.
Still to remain in the exhibition area, the traveling open-air exhibition of posters of the “History of the Funicular” is getting excellent results. In the same words of the Director: the hope is to bring the story and evolution of a long adventure to the main centers of the canton, "from the dawn of the project in 1870 to the present day". And then space for young people, with the delivery of the Funicolare San Salvatore 2020 award to the best SSSAT student in Bellinzona. On 14 July it was the turn of the world premiere of the project between the City of Lugano and the Recogn.ice association. On the panoramic terrace of the San Salvatore, a yellow frame was placed that frames the icy ridges from the Dufourspitze to the Strahlhorn, raising awareness of the crucial role of glaciers and their melting.
The icing on the cake? Of course! The idea of the permanent exhibition itinerary of the tourist poster, which has hosted exclusive exhibitions since 2008, runs from the arrival station to the summit, was to dedicate it to AlpTransit and to the completion of the section of Monte Ceneri. Said and done! The title of the exhibition just opened is: From the Gotthard Gallery 1882 to the Ceneri 2020 Base Tunnel. From the “Via delle Genti” to AlpTransit: the epic of a gigantic enterprise, its creators and architects. We assure you that you will find surprising news.
