In 2015, the Ticino section of Swiss Heritage alerted us to the advancing decay and instability of this historic building. This three-storey rural house had been abandoned for decades. Closely intertwined with its neighbours, the consequences would have been fatal for all the buildings involved had it collapsed. Thanks to the intervention of our foundation, Vacances au Cœur du Patrimoine, urgent consolidation measures were carried out as well as a complete rehabilitation allowing this historic monument to be saved. It is now dedicated to holidays.
The house, typical of the region, was built in the 18th century on the foundations of a house dating back to the Middle Ages using the dry stone wall method. In the Ticino valleys, stone was favoured for construction due to the scarcity of wood resources. Stone constructions also helped to prevent fires. The tangle of rooms and floors is typical of these Ticino houses. Over the years, the original building has been raised and enlarged according to the number of occupants. For this reason, there is a lack of staircases inside. The bedrooms can be reached via the covered arcades and the exterior stone stairs.
Casa Portico is a house located in the heart of Moghegno's historic centre (the "nucleo"). With the adjoining building, it forms a covered public passage (a "galleria"). The monument takes it name from the porches ("portico") which serve the various living rooms and give the building its unique appearance. Built in the Middle Ages, it originally served as both a dwelling house and a warehouse, as evidenced by the cellar. The former occupants were peasants. Cereal crops, livestock, vineyards, chestnuts, work in the quarries, and crafts were their different sources of income. The house, now a historical heritage site, has largely retained the building's original characteristics.
At Casa Portico, guests will experience two hundred years of Ticino architectural history. Upon arrival, they will be welcomed by the house manager who will teach them more about the property's history and the architectural particularities of the place. The manager remains available should guests have any questions during their stay. The creaking of the floorboards, the smell of the wood stove, the smoky walls, a beautiful covered loggia overlooking the courtyard, and mountain views make a stay at Casa Portico an unforgettable experience. It has been furnished with objects made by local craftsmen and minimalist furniture made by Swiss designers, allowing the architecture to take centre stage.
The Maggia River offers pure refreshment. Not far from Avegno, it flows a little more slowly and is bordered by small enchanting beaches with very fine sand. The dishes of the grotti, a unique characteristic of the Ticino and Italian Graubünden, are a must-try. They are generally located in remote and shady spots surrounded by nature. The Maggia Valley also offers many sport activities such as hiking, swimming and canyoning, as well as cultural discoveries. We recommend a day trip to the Museo Walserhaus in the mountain village of Bosco-Gurin, or a trip to Cevio where the bailiffs once lived. In Mogno, don't miss the Church of San Giovanni Battista which was completed in 1997 by internationally renowned architect Mario Botta.
The Casa Portico is a historic building spread over two floors. The rooms are only accessible via the external staircase and the covered gallery. On the first floor there is a double bedroom, a kitchen and a bathroom. Upstairs, there is a living room with a stove and a large covered loggia. To preserve the property's historic integrity, no heating has been installed. The house is therefore only available to rent during the warmer months of the year. A wood stove is available for cooler days.
ref 997830
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