Cunardo is a part of the community of Valganna e Valmarchirolo, which includes nine towns overall: Cunardo, Cugliate, Fabiasco, Cadegliano Viconago, Valganna, Marchirolo, Lavena Ponte Tresa, marzio, Ferrera, and Cremenaga. It’s located in a wonderful valley, at about 500 meters above the sea level and at the crossing of Valganna, Valmarchirolo, Valtravaglia, and Valcuvia. Cunardo has over 2800 inhabitants and because of the good location and climate it is spot for many tourists.
The view you can enjoy from Cunardo is among the most beautiful in the area, and in clear days you can see the top of the Pre Alps, the snow-covered peaks of the Monte Rosa, and the Swiss Alps; in particular from the highest part of the town like the Monte Penegra, which is an old and inactive volcano. Two theories exist for the origins of the name “Cunardo”. One theory suggests that it derives from the Celtic word “Kunort”, which means “place with a fort” ( which is actually supposed to exist). The second theory instead refers to the Celtic word “Kun-ard”, which means “high place”, as Cunardo dominates the Valcuvia area. Cunardo is also well known in the entire Province of Varese and outside of it because of the efficient cross country-skiing-trail “Sole e neve”, which can reach 10km of length thanks to artificial snow made through “snow blowers”. It is managed by the Sci Club of Cunardo whose professional ski teachers organize many courses for all levels. In Summer the “Baita del Fondista”, equipped with efficient kitchens, many seats and a stage, “hosts” numerous events ( such an the “International Festival of Folklore”).
Ceramics are an interesting and traditional activity in Cunardo. The town is well known for its famous colour “Blu Cunardo”, which is used to paint the local potteries. In the town, there are now six workshops that deal with the ceramic processing. Furthermor, on the edge of the town the “Mulino Rigamonti” an old water mill that moves thanks to the water of the “Margorabia” river, is still working. Like any other village Cunardo has its own legends like the one about the “ Castelvecchio”, a fort whose ruin were used to build the Church, or the one about the “ Orrido”, a rocky place dug by the water of the river margorabia, where people say a certain Conte Ruggeri threw his wife’s body. This place is also very interesting from geological point of view because inside there are stalactites and little streams.
