We make our way into the hills that characterise the Mendrisiotto. An undulating landscape of woods, vineyards and picturesque villages. And here we are in Arzo, on the slopes of Monte San Giorgio, famous for its unique fossil finds, which have made it a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We park the car near the quarries and walk through a beech and hazel wood. La Soleggiata (The sunny one) is a fitting name for this series of events: the sun frames the landscape, transforming it into a luminous painting. The June evenings are pleasantly warm, while the trees provide refreshing shade. We reach the large stone amphitheatre and cannot help but be captivated by it. We sit on large steps to admire this dark rock wall surrounded by rich vegetation with the sound of music in the distance.
Here in this place, where time seems to have stood still, it is inevitable to think of how many people have passed through here, of the cranes that lifted huge blocks of marble and the explosions that freed this stone coloured like a warm summer sunset. Illustrated boards along the way introduce us to its history. These quarries have not only brought prosperity to the region, but Arzo marble has been exported all over the world, often used in prestigious constructions, such as the Duomo in Milan and the Duomo in Como. Not far away, we can still see the workshop where the material was processed and, a few metres further on, we also find some statues made from this stone with its many veins. It is surprising to find ourselves in a place with such an impressive past, as we prepare to spend a pleasant summer evening here. We walk along a path that takes us to just above the festival site. From here we see people having fun, chatting with each other and enjoying the atmosphere. We head to the bar too to get some refreshing drinks and make a toast, the first of a long series. To us and this wonderful evening in good company!
