History of Monte Verità

In 1900 a group of idealists from Northern Europe settled on the hilltop above Ascona. Their vision was to start a new life, an ideal society based on freedom, simplicity, cooperation, a vegetarian diet and a closer relationship with nature. 

Other movements followed at Monte Verità, focussing on psychoanalysis, sexual revolution and mythological symbolism. Simultaneous to these new cultural and philosophical currents, new artistic trends were developing. In 1910 Rudolf von Laban created the "Monte Verità Art School" which provided initiation into all types of expression.

In 1926 the hill was bought by Baron Eduard von der Heydt, an artcollector, who spurred Monte Verità on to its best artistic period. He had Emil Fahrenkamp build a new hotel, which allowed larger numbers of people to live in and pass through the centre. In the early decades of the 20th century, numerous artists, intellectuals and students made Monte Verità their cultural centre. Among those who spent time in the area were Carl Gustav Jung, Karoly Kereny, Erich Maria Remarque, Hermann Hesse, Adolf Portmann, Paul Klee, Hans and Sophie Täuber Arp, Robert Schürch, Oskar Schlemmer, Charlotte Bara, Marianne Von Werefkin, El Lissitzky, Alexei Jawlensky and many others. These were the golden years for Monte Verità. In 1956, Baron von der Heydt left the property on the hill to the Canton Ticino, and a new era began for Monte Verità. In 1989 a private foundation (Monte Verità Foundation) was established, whose members comprise the Canton Ticino, the Town Council of Ascona and the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology. A plan was developed to encourage international cultural activities on an academic level through seminars and conventions on such diverse topics as scientific research, literature, history, etc.

The Congressi Stefano Franscini (CSF) is a division of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology of Zurich (ETH Zürich).

How to get to Monte Verità

Car

Exit Ascona/Losone. Continue on Viale Monte Verità (direction Ascona Center). Turn right onto Strada Collina and follow the directions to Monte Verità. Free parking spaces.

Plane & Train to Locarno:

You can fly to the following cities or reach them by train within Europe:

• Zurich Airport (Switzerland)
  Train via Zurich central station to Locarno (approx 3 - 3 1/2 hours).
   
• Milan Aiport (Italy)
  Train via Milan Central or Milan Nord to Locarno (approx 2 hours).

• Geneva Airport (Switzerland)
  Train to Locarno (approx 5 1/2 hours)

• Basel Airport (Euroairport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg)
  Airport shuttle bus to Basel SBB (central station), then train to Locarno (approx 4 hours)

• Lugano Airport (Switzerland)
  You can reach Locarno by taxi (from CHF 150.--) or by train via Lugano (approx 30 - 50 min)

Please note: The nearest train station to Ascona is in Locarno.

For train schedules and tickets, please check the SBB website.
 

From Locarno train station to Monte Verità:

On arrival in Locarno you can reach Monte Verità as follows:

1. Free shuttle bus
A shuttle bus (8-​seater) to Monte Verità will be available at Locarno train station for 4 to 5 hours on arrival day of the CSF event. The shuttle's schedule will be published here shortly before the event starts. The shuttle bus stops next to the end of platform 4 (close to where public transport is leaving). Look for the white bus with the Monte Verità logo (see photo).

2. Public bus
Take bus no. 1 from Locarno railway station to the bus stop "Ascona Centro" (duration: 15 - 20 minutes). 
Please refer to he corresponding timetables of the line 1.

Please note that the timetables of bus line no. 1 are different for Monday - Saturday (Lunedì - Sabato e feriali) and for Sundays and holidays (Domenica e festivi).

From the bus stop "Ascona Centro" you can also reach Monte Verità in 25 - 30 minutes on foot (follow the "Strada Collina") or by taxi located next to the Autosilo Ascona. There is no public transport from Ascona Centro to Monte Verità.

3. Taxi
Various taxis are available at Locarno railway station. The company "EcoTaxsi" usually has a slightly lower price, reservation required: +41 91 792 21 01 or 0800 321 321 (free call from Swiss numbers) or via Skype. The ride takes about 15 minutes and costs about CHF 40.00.