An age-old connection between horse, human, and landscape at Lake Maggiore
For centuries, horses and mules were part of everyday life in Ascona and throughout Ticino. On narrow mule tracks, they transported people and goods between Lake Maggiore and the remote mountain villages. With the rise of tourism in the 19th century, they became a symbol of style and leisure – and today, this special connection lives on in equestrian sports and polo.
Long before railways, cars, and modern roads opened up the region, horses determined the rhythm of life in Ticino. Their history tells the story of the people, the roads, and the landscape around Lake Maggiore at the same time – a history that resonates to this day.
Indispensable companions on the mule tracks
For centuries, horses were a very natural part of everyday life in Ascona and throughout Ticino. Via narrow paths, horses and mules connected the towns on Lake Maggiore with the remote mountain villages and the valleys of the hinterland. Along the so-called mule tracks – known in Ticino as «Mulattiere» – they transported people, wine, wood, grain, and stone through the Maggia Valley, the Verzasca Valley, and over difficult alpine paths. Where roads now lie, the sure-footedness of the animals was for a long time the only reliable connection.
More than just labor: agility, safety, and connection
In this, the animals were much more than mere labor. They stood for mobility, security, and a connection to the outside world. Their steady pace determined the rhythm of the roads and rural life, day after day, season after season. Horses and mules also played an important role in the markets around Ascona and Locarno, thus contributing directly to the economic development of the region. Whoever owned a good animal possessed freedom of movement – and a piece of independence.
The change in the 19th century: carriages, guests, and a new leisure culture
With the rise of tourism in the 19th century, the significance of the horse changed fundamentally. Carriages brought wealthy guests to the hotels and to the elegant promenades by the lake. Horseback rides through chestnut forests, vineyards, and sunny slopes became the expression of a new leisure culture. The horse no longer stood only for work, but increasingly also for style, the experience of nature, and social elegance – a change that reflects the Mediterranean lightness of Ticino particularly beautifully.
From history to polo: the connection lives on
Today, this special connection lives on primarily in equestrian sports and polo. The strength and speed of the horses meet precision, trust, and team spirit. Against the Mediterranean backdrop of Ascona, polo thus becomes a bridge between history and the present – and the horse a symbol of freedom, passion, and the timeless elegance of Ticino. Anyone watching a polo match at Lake Maggiore today sees not just a sport, but the continuation of an age-old relationship between human, animal, and landscape.
Frequently Asked Questions
What role did horses play in Ticino in the past?
For centuries, horses and mules were indispensable companions in everyday life. On narrow mule tracks, they transported people, wine, wood, grain, and stone, connecting the towns on Lake Maggiore with the mountain villages in the hinterland.
What are mule tracks?
Pack trails are narrow paths where pack animals transported goods. In Ticino, they are called 'Mulattiere', or mule tracks. For a long time, they were the most important connection through the valleys and over the Alpine passes.
How did tourism change the significance of horses?
With the rise of tourism in the 19th century, carriages brought wealthy guests to the hotels and lake promenades. Horseback riding became an expression of a new leisure culture, and the horse now also represented style, nature appreciation, and elegance.
What connects the history of horses with polo in Ascona?
In polo, the ancient bond between human and horse lives on. Against the backdrop of Ascona, the power of the animals meets precision and team spirit – thus, polo becomes a bridge between the history of Ticino and the present.
Which goods were transported by horses and mules?
Primarily wine, wood, grain, and stone were transported via the mule tracks through the Maggia Valley, the Verzasca Valley, and over the Alpine paths – and, of course, the people themselves.