History

Donated by a benefactress to the St. Gallen Astronomical Society in 1960, the Observatory was purchased by Carona in 1983. Originally intended exclusively as a holiday observatory for astronomy enthusiasts from abroad, it was later upgraded to provide local residents, particularly members of the Società astronomica ticinese (Ticino Astronomical Society), with the opportunity to use its equipment and facilities.

Its easily accessible location makes the Observatory an ideal meeting place for school groups. Observation evenings are organized every first Friday of the month (from April to November) starting at 9:00 PM. Special evenings and solar observations are scheduled according to the program.

The telescope is equipped with a camera that allows the capture of digital images.

Completely restored, its facade features a stucco niche with an image of the Virgin and Child adored by two saints, likely from the late 16th century. On a house in the same square, there is a sundial, possibly from the 18th century, frescoed with cherubs. Other buildings in Carona also feature sundials.

Going up the main road, one comes across Casa Cattaneo, a large building that once featured rich Baroque frescoes with illusionistic architecture, allegorical figures in niches, and cherubs. Unfortunately, these have almost entirely disappeared, with only faint traces remaining.

On the facade of Casa Andreoli, located along the main road, two mullioned windows can be observed: one bears the inscription of the date 1475, while the other features the name Massimo Andrioli along with the date of the restorations he carried out in 1937. On the same facade, there is a stucco niche dated 1638, which contains a fresco now almost completely faded.

In a charming square, one can see Casa Costanza, formerly Solari, which was restored in 1967-68. The facade features a distinctive illusionistic decoration dating to around 1750-75. Inside, several rooms (one with a fireplace bearing the Casella family crest) display rich stucco friezes.

The nearby building, Casa Le Bris, with its lovely balconies, has a damaged fresco on the facade depicting a praying saint.

Equipped with a small garden, the interior features a fine fireplace with stucco decoration from the second half of the 18th century, adorned with architectural motifs, cherubs, and rocaille designs.

Simple in its structure, Casa Adami has some noteworthy details: the facade features granite windowsills with relief masks, and on the ground floor, a small window with a perforated granite slab.

Facing a small square along with other houses, Casa Solari appears modest externally but contains a room with refined stucco decorations inside. The room features frames, overdoor decorations, and two medallions. One medallion contains a female portrait, while the other has a male portrait with an inscription below that reads: "Opus Joseph Ant. Solari ipsso eques Et(a)tis sue an(n)i XXIII 1759."

It features graffito decoration with balustrade motifs and frames around the windows (16th century). Damaged over time, it has been completely restored. Above the portal of an adjacent house, there are remnants of a fresco depicting the Madonna and Child.

The Loggia Comunale was built between 1591 and 1592 in a square at the entrance to Carona. The ground floor features an arcade, while the upper floor facade is painted with a trompe-l'œil design depicting a superimposed order, with Ionic pilasters and windows crowned by alternating round and triangular pediments. The central window is blind, and within its panel is a fresco of the figure of Justice.

Under the eaves runs a cornice supported by brackets, while the section between the arches and windows is decorated with the coats of arms of the twelve original Swiss cantons. At either end, the coat of arms of the former municipality of Carona is depicted: a church on a mountain with the waters of the lake at its base.

The imposing Church of San Siro, located west of the village where an oratory once stood, dates back to the 16th century. Construction began in 1585, was completed in 1610, and the church was consecrated in 1698 after further expansion.

The church has been renovated multiple times, in 1911, 1979, and 1999.

The side naves, each with three bays, open onto the central nave through arches supported by columns and are covered by cross vaults, except for the westernmost bay of the left nave, which was topped with a pendentive dome in the 18th century.

On the vault of the central nave are decorative frescoes by Enrico Torriani and Silvio Laurenti, dating to 1911. Both stucco altars at the ends of the side naves date from the late 19th century. The stuccos of the right altar, dedicated to Saint Charles, were created in 1894 by Giacomo Laurenti and Spirito Solari. The stuccos of the Madonna di Luca altar were completed in 1889, the same year the dome was frescoed. On the back wall, there is a notable fresco of Saint Syrus by Giuseppe Antonio Petrini, framed by an elaborate stucco border. The bell tower, approximately 30 meters tall, is particularly striking in its beauty.

The building, dating back to the 16th-18th century, has undergone partial alterations and features numerous rooms covered by vaulted ceilings. In one room, the ceiling is adorned with stuccos and a fresco by G. Antonio Petrini.

At the entrance to the Carabbia cemetery stands a modern cross in red-ochre color, designed by architect Bruno Pinoli. The cross features symbols referencing prayer, Christ's passion, and His suffering.