Today I am going to tell you about Torre di Redde (the Redde Tower), which was part of a medieval village abandoned in the 15th century. It is located in Capriasca (more precisely in the woods between Vaglio and Tesserete), just a few steps away from Lugano.
We reached Redde by climbing up colle di San Bernardo (see our article).
Setting off from Vaglio or Tesserete, however, would have been a lot easier as the terrain is a lot flatter – so bear this in mind in case you’re be heading there with someone not so keen on walking.
Redde is the ideal destination for a quiet family outing, as it allows you to walk through a wonderful beech forest, and finally leads you to the little church of San Clemente, Redde’s medieval tower and the ruins of the ancient Redde village.
The walk takes just over 30 minutes and is suitable for all ages, including small children and sturdy strollers, too.
We reached the church, which is really well preserved, beautiful and evocative.
Tower of Redde
This is the tower Torre di Redde, although located near the church, is difficult to find. I know people who have failed to find it… so suggest a challenge: the first who spots it, wins! When you find it, you will surely be impressed… right amid the trees, secluded, magical – the ruins of the village are even more difficult to find, so keep an eye on the ground, and good luck!
Once you get to Redde, you will find free picnic tables and barbecues, in case you want to organize a grill party. Everything is well kept and chopped wood is available, too – though it may be a bit wet. Do bring some old newspapers to help you light the fire. The only drawback is that you won’t find any fountains along the way, so stock up on water before you set off.
In the trails nearby (and there are galore, Redde is at the crossroad of many paths) your children will surely like discovering the many wooden sculptures in the area.
The medieval festival Torre di Redde
If you happen to be in the area on the first and the second weekend of September, make sure not to miss the medieval “Feste di Redde”: it’s very suggestive and takes place on odd years. Wooden structures are assembled using materials typical of the Middle Ages.
To pay for food and drinks you will need to buy the “Redde” currency, which comes in coins of 0.5, 1, 2, 5 and 10. The menu of the event reflects ancient customs: skewers, soups, grilled meat. Many participants come dressed in medieval costumes, therefore the atmosphere is really amazing.
There is also a market, shows, farmyard animals, sword fighting, archery and music. It’s a once in a lifetime experience, really!
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