Parco Archeologico Botanico del Paradiso e Museo Archeologico della Valchiavenna
Parco Archeologico Botanico del Paradiso e Museo Archeologico della Valchiavenna
Parco Archeologico Botanico del Paradiso e Museo Archeologico della Valchiavenna
4
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM, 2:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Monday
Closed
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
2:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
2:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
2:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
2:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
2:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
2:00 PM - 6:00 PM
About
There are many attractions justifing a visit to the "Paradiso" botanical-archaeological park. On the two craggy hills, linked by easy paths, you will flnd:• distinctive environmental features, the unusual geo-morphology of the over-hanging rock that has been excavated by glacial exaration;• botanical variety: flowers and plants, including rare species and exotic vegetation;• various archaeological and historical remains - the ruins of the wall and fortress (already documented in 995). There is also the Caùrga (an ollare stone quarry from Roman times that was later re-established for defensive purposes and shows clear evidence of ancient excavations), artistic and architectural articles made from ollare stone, and floors in "botòn" (discarded pieces of the same stone).• at Torrione the naturalist section of the Valchiavenna museum, with exhibitions of minerals and fauna, illustrating the natural environment of the valley. Besides all this, interesting landscapes appear from the paths, presenting different views of the town below (with its historical centre, the San Lorenzo complex, and the natural rock-cellars of the Pratogiano area) and of the surrounding villages and valleys.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.0
61 reviews
Excellent
23
Very good
25
Average
8
Poor
3
Terrible
2
These reviews have been automatically translated from their original language.
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saronic
Zurich, Switzerland29,093 contributions
Oct 2021
The 'Parco Paradiso' has a separate entrance from the nature reserve 'Marmitte dei Giganti', of which it is a part geographically. Also here can be found glacial potholes and soapstone quarries, but on top there is a collection of sculptures, funerary plaques and other items from various periods and also exotic trees and bushes have been planted.
Below the hill to the east of Chiavenna is the Palazzo Balbiani from 1477, destroyed 50 years later by the Grisons and rebuilt in the 1930's. Entrance to the park is by the 'Ca'Rossa', the red house with the ticket office (regular 3€, reduced 1.50€). The main feature in the park is the 'Caurga', as the up to 40m deep rift is called, the result of soapstone mining in Roman times.
To the right of the 'Caurga' is the Paradiso (San Giorgio) hill, where there was once a fortified lookout. To get from here to the highest hill, the 'Castellaccio' (Santa Maria) one has to cross a footbridge over the deep trench. There is plenty of up and down in this park, often with steps and railings. Especially from the top one has great views over the surrounding countryside and its mountains and also down to Chiavenna.
All in all there are five information boards in the park, in Italian, German and English. In the tall building not far from the entrance, called 'Torrione', is a museum, which was closed, when we visited. Not passable was also the path at the bottom of the rift. All in all though a very attractive park, worth visiting, when in Chiavenna.
Below the hill to the east of Chiavenna is the Palazzo Balbiani from 1477, destroyed 50 years later by the Grisons and rebuilt in the 1930's. Entrance to the park is by the 'Ca'Rossa', the red house with the ticket office (regular 3€, reduced 1.50€). The main feature in the park is the 'Caurga', as the up to 40m deep rift is called, the result of soapstone mining in Roman times.
To the right of the 'Caurga' is the Paradiso (San Giorgio) hill, where there was once a fortified lookout. To get from here to the highest hill, the 'Castellaccio' (Santa Maria) one has to cross a footbridge over the deep trench. There is plenty of up and down in this park, often with steps and railings. Especially from the top one has great views over the surrounding countryside and its mountains and also down to Chiavenna.
All in all there are five information boards in the park, in Italian, German and English. In the tall building not far from the entrance, called 'Torrione', is a museum, which was closed, when we visited. Not passable was also the path at the bottom of the rift. All in all though a very attractive park, worth visiting, when in Chiavenna.
Written September 5, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sim c
3 contributions
Apr 2024 • Friends
Beautiful view, unfortunately the park is left a bit to itself, little care, dirty fountains, overall it appears abandoned without care
Sin.
I recommend using the small entrance fee to take care of the park itself.
It could have huge potential if only it were better looked after.
Sin.
I recommend using the small entrance fee to take care of the park itself.
It could have huge potential if only it were better looked after.
Written April 14, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
David C
Edgewater, MD87 contributions
Sep 2013 • Couples
This is an odd sort of attraction, not a lot of particulars to describe but a very pleasant way to spend an hour. It is located on a crag at the southwest corner of Chiavenna. The crag is split into two parts by a huge cut that was formed when the area was mined by the Romans for "pot stone." This is a particular kind of stone that is very stable in extreme heat, and thus very useful for making cooking pots.
There is a path that winds up to the top of the taller part of the crag (lots and lots of steps). It is topped with some ruins from the middle ages. From there you see truly remarkable views of the surrounding valley and alps. Along the pathe, there are many interesting trees and plants, and many are clearly labeled with botanical names plus some description (in Italian). You then head down, cross a bridge over the cut, and come to another excellent viewpoint and some more ruins. You pass through a small cemetery, and then head out of the garden.
Not much to describe, but we really enjoyed our visit.
There is a path that winds up to the top of the taller part of the crag (lots and lots of steps). It is topped with some ruins from the middle ages. From there you see truly remarkable views of the surrounding valley and alps. Along the pathe, there are many interesting trees and plants, and many are clearly labeled with botanical names plus some description (in Italian). You then head down, cross a bridge over the cut, and come to another excellent viewpoint and some more ruins. You pass through a small cemetery, and then head out of the garden.
Not much to describe, but we really enjoyed our visit.
Written September 14, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DeedeeEssex
Essex2 contributions
Aug 2018 • Family
Vey adventurous walk to the bridge. It was very interesting hiking through the ruins. Although it was a hot day and we had to walk up numerous steps. The views at the top were breathtaking.
Written August 15, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ra The Gawd
Letchworth Garden City, UK274 contributions
Sep 2015 • Couples
Nice garden with an entrance of only 3 Euros.
Brings a nice bit history to the small town.
Would recommend for couples.
Brings a nice bit history to the small town.
Would recommend for couples.
Written November 14, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Meander302248
2 contributions
Dec 2024 • Solo
Waited until 14.10 ..... because it was written ...opened at 14.00!
Without having visited left again!
Very annoying !!
Specially arrived for sightseeing!!
Without having visited left again!
Very annoying !!
Specially arrived for sightseeing!!
Automatically translated
Written December 5, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
vorrei sapere se questo parco sara'aperto anche dal 2 al 5 gennaio prossimo, se è accessibile in sedie a rotelle gli orari ed il costo di ingresso. Grazie
Written October 7, 2019
Purtroppo non è possibile visitare il parco in sedia a rotelle.. troppe scale...
Written October 7, 2019
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