Parco Archeologico-Botanico del Paradiso e Museo Archeologico della Valchiavenna

The botanical-archaeological park of Paradiso is made up of two hills, the "Paradiso" and the "Castellaccio", which are located on the eastern edge of Chiavenna in a magnificent panoramic position, both over the city and the surrounding area. The two hills, separated by the deep crack of the "Caurga" (ancient Roman ollàre stone quarry), are connected by a daring walkway and crossed by a dense network of well-equipped paths that allow an easy visit and ascent to the most high. There are numerous attractions that justify a visit, in fact on the two cliffs there are concentrated: singular environmental, geological and landscape aspects, botanical varieties of flowers and plants, with rare species and exotic vegetation; various archaeological and historical remains such as the ruins of the old walls and the fortress; artistic and architectural artefacts in soapstone, flooring in "botòn" (scraps of soapstone turning). Inside the Torrione there is the naturalistic section of the Valchiavenna Museum in which geo-mineralogical and faunal installations are presented that illustrate the natural environment of the valley. In the building at the entrance to the ollàre stone quarry, it is possible to find the Archaeological Museum of Valchiavenna on the first floor. During the visit to the rooms it is possible to "walk" in the millennial history of Chiavenna and its Valley. We are accompanied along the path by didactic panels, reconstructive drawings of scenarios and landscapes and, above all, the finds, objects that directly from the past are able to tell us about the life, work and beliefs of those who lived in these places over the centuries.