INTRODUCTION     TOWNS AND VILLAGES     TRANSPORT     HOW TO GET THERE     INTRODUCTION     MONTE GENEROSO     MONTE SAN GIORGIO     THE PARK OF THE BREGGIA GORGE     MUGGIO VALLEY     PARK OF THE PENZ HILL     THE PRE MURIN PARK     FORTHCOMING EVENTS     RECURRING EVENTS     SPECIAL EVENTS     TICINO, LAND OF CYCLING     MEETING FACILITIES     INTRODUCTION     MUSEUMS     ART GALLERIES     HISTORICAL BUILDINGS     CINEMA TEATRO CHIASSO     WALKS     MOUNTAIN-BIKE PATHS     THEMATICS PATHS     TREKKING     GUIDED EXCURSIONS Towns and villages Riva San Vitale Arogno Arzo Balerna Besazio Bissone Brusino Arsizio Bruzella Cabbio Caneggio Capolago Casima Castel San Pietro Chiasso Coldrerio Genestrerio Ligornetto Maroggia Melano Mendrisio Meride Monte Morbio Inferiore Morbio Superiore Muggio Novazzano Rancate Riva San Vitale Rovio Sagno Salorino Stabio Tremona Vacallo Located on a bay of Lake Lugano, at the foot of the forests of Monte San Giorgio, the village has a very ancient past. It seems that it was a Neolithic lake village, and was certainly a Roman «vicus», as witnessed by the artefacts discovered during excavations or demolition works. Though small, the village is renowned for having been the head of one of Como’s parishes. The most prestigious monument is the Baptistery, which testifies that this area was the first in the region to be introduced to Christianity. It is therefore not surprising that this village has produced many prominent figures in the Church such as Bernardino Della Croce, Bishop of Como, who died in 1565 in Rome and was shrouded in the Vatican Basilica, and Gianandrea Della Croce, who was protonotary of Pope Gregory Xlll. Interesting buildings: Plebeian Church of St. Vitale (18th c., on foundations dating to at least 1000 A.D, and probably older). Church of St. Croce (late 16th c.). Chapel of St. Rocco (17th c.). Baptistery of St. John (probably from the 5th c.). Houses of the Della Croce families. Town Hall St. Pietro Canisio Institute Excursions: Climb to Monte San Giorgio via Albio. Walk along the lake to Pojana. In 15 minutes, climb to Rocul. Altitude: 276 m. above sea level Population: 2'350 Surface: 7,65 km2 Distances: Mendrisio: 5 km Lugano: 15 km Town Hall: +41 91 648 13 06 www.rivasanvitale.ch info@rivasanvitale.ch Transport (symbols):