Phone Coordinates
Please note that we will not be able to tell you tour availability over the phone. Click "Book Now" and then check the calendar for available slots.
Mobile Number : +41 79 23 888 75
Sources and Acknowledgements
In creating the content of my tours, I rely on multiple sources. Most of these are not accessible to foreign visitors because they are only in Italian and tucked away in private bookshelves. My goal has therefore been to choose representative examples of the story of this village for a broad international audience. I could not have done this without the dedication and knowledge of local historians and writers. Below are the most notable. I am extremely grateful for their work.
In connecting Gandria to the big picture of Swiss and European history, I draw on my own knowledge, developed through a lifetime of reading, museum visits, history and archeology events, targeted travels and an insatiable curiosity. Never stop learning is one of my mottos in life.
Roberto Genazzini, who comes from a local family and knows the village like the back of his hand, has made a unique contribution to preserving the history and culture of Gandria. Trained as journalist in Milan, he has written at least a dozen books, some of which are pictured above.
Bruno Bordoni, a Swiss customs officer from one of the oldest families in Gandria, made significant contributions in preserving the historical memory of the village. This includes a book on the special geographical position of Gandria and the often complex relationship with neighbors across the border in Italy.
In 1984, author Plinio Grossi published a wonderfully comprehensive volume on Gandria. It is packed with historical facts, anecdotes, poems and even recipes for local dishes as well as many black-and-white photos that transport the reader back to an earlier age. It is an invaluable source to learn more about Gandria.
No tribute to Gandria would be complete without mentioning the volunteer organization of Viva Gandria and the local association running the Bottega di Gandria. Both have done so much for keeping the history, culture and social life of the village vibrant and multi-faceted. A special thanks to Giorgio Bellini and Francesca Solari, the engines driving many of these activities.