Welcome to the page dedicated to the history of Monte Tamaro. Have you always wondered when the Monte Tamaro cable car project was born? Or when the Santa Maria degli Angeli Church designed by architect Mario Botta was built? Below you will find the history in chronological order. Enjoy your reading

1960
First inspection for the Tamaro area enhancement project and start of negotiations with the Municipality and the Patriciate of Rivera.

1961
The exact location of the three stops is chosen: departure, arrival and intermediate station.

1962
The first application is submitted to Bern. This is followed by on-site visits by the responsible federal experts.

1964
Obtainment of the first federal concession for the construction of the Rivera – Alpe Foppa cable car.

1965
Technical studies begin and the first plans for the cable car take shape. Two leading ski instructors from the St. Moritz ski school are consulted about the ski lifts. They judge the snow conditions in the planned region to be excellent. The Commission for the Protection of Natural Beauty and Landscape gives its approval to the project.

1966
MONTE TAMARO SA was set up, under the primitive company name FUNIVIA RIVERA – ALPE FOPPA SA, on the initiative of CITY CARBUROIL SA, which recognised the potential for increasing tourism, which would also provide employment and income opportunities for the local population.

1970
The Board of Directors of MONTE TAMARO SA, chaired by director Egidio Cattaneo, who was the first and most enthusiastic supporter of the development of Tamaro, decided to move on to the actual implementation phase of the necessary installations.

1971
In May, work began on the Rivera – Alpe Foppa cable car, encountering some difficulties despite the use of helicopters and a road.

1972
Thanks to the great commitment of managers and executors, MONTE TAMARO SA was able to announce its opening and thus allow the public to reach Alpe Foppa, which is served by a restaurant and ski lift. On 26 December 1972, it obtained the federal operating licence.

1973
On 24 June 1973, the Traversata del Tamaro takes place, a march that rewards mountaineers organised by Monte Tamaro SA in collaboration with City Carburoil. There are two categories of the race; one starting from Astano and the other starting from Monte Lema. The oldest participant was 90 years old.

1980s
Winters become uncertain and the necessary snow cover is no longer guaranteed, making the financial returns that are essential to the operation uncertain. A project for artificial snow-making systems is drawn up, but it is abandoned due to strong opposition from ecologists and associations. From the mid-1980s, the summer season also began to be developed.

1985
Laying of the bronze statue of the “Madonna con Bambino” by sculptor Antonio Danzi of Viggiù.

1994
Renovation of the cable car.

1996
The construction of the Church of Santa Maria degli Angeli designed by world-renowned architect Mario Botta is completed. As of this year, the summer season becomes more important in terms of people transported.

2003
The plant has undergone a complete reconversion and is only scheduled to be definitively open from April to November.
Organisation of the mountain bike world championship.

2004
In 2004, the Adventure Park at the middle station of the cable car is newly opened. It is the first Adventure Park in the canton of Ticino.

2005
The novelty of this summer season is the Coaster bob installed near the arrival station of the cable car at Alpe Foppa.

2006
Laying of the sculpture of the artist Luca Marcionelli “Il Guardiano del Tempio”.

2007
Opening of the 440-metre-long Zip Line at Alpe Foppa with a maximum speed of 60 km/h.

2008
The “Cubo Sospeso” by sculptor Jaya Schürch is laid.

2012
Renewal of operating licence.

2018
First edition of “Una montagna d’arte”, an initiative of Monte Tamaro SA and the Fondazione Egidio e Mariangela Cattaneo, with the biennial exhibition of the artist from Ticino Ivo Soldini at Alpe Foppa. At the end of the biennial a statue was integrated into the Artistic Walk.

2020
During the winter, the Alpe Foppa Restaurant has been renovated internally with respect for the environment: natural materials, re-use of existing material where possible and local designers and workers have been hired.

2021
The second biennial starts with internationally renowned Italian artist Riccardo Cordero.