My uncle and aunt have a vacation house in the tiny village of Intragna. Intragna is located in the Centovalli region of Ticino, the Italian-speaking canton of Switzerland. Every time I visit my family, I try to come to this place, an enchanted little town at the end of the Melezza river valley. The sound of its name makes me think of Traum, the German word for “dream” — the escape to its tranquility and beauty feels apropos. The FART (Ferrovie Autolinee Regionali Ticinesi, and yes, I always get a kick out of this acronym) connects Intragna to Locarno in the west, and Domodossola, Italy, to the east. Below, some details from last December, when aunts, uncles, cousins, and partners convened for the holidays.
Above, Conrad explains the structure of the village.
Above, Susanne and Conrad. Their house is a duplex, designed by Conrad, and built on the solid granite characteristic of the valley.
A treasure encountered on a stroll through town. I think it was for sale — if only…
The hillsides were once cultivated and/or terraced for grazing. Now all is covered with chestnut trees (and German dialect-speakers during summer vacations).
On a walk through the village, roofs kissing.
Late afternoon across the gulch, looking east at the FART bridge. On the right side of this path is a precipitous drop to the river below. Sam and I had a fun time pretending to push each other off. (Or was that just me?) This was part of the old road through the valley, until the stone bridge crossing over the river collapsed. Now it is part of a Wanderweg.
The renovated attic of the barn next door. Future atelier?
The door off its hinges — salvaged from the renovations, I think. So lovely… I wonder when and by whom it was made. Below, pictures from the entrance to the “atelier.”
Above, a detail of a gate (less rustic compared to the image prior).
According to Conrad, people in the village traditionally mark their property lines with little astrikses. I think you connect the dots to find out the boundaries — it involves some very careful looking. Below, a freshly painted indicator.
And another, a bit older — do you see it?
I like this picture of my aunt Monika and cousin Ursula in the kitchen at Co & Su’s.
And finally, a last picture in the station before catching the train back. I would like to think the image is of chinotto, a bitter drink beloved in Italy… and not some kind of cola. But perhaps there’s beauty in ambiguity? It’s certainly pretty “refreshing” to see a brandless vending machine.
