Monte San Giorgio is just south of Lugano and is an important witness to history. During medieval times, it was place that attracted hermits. The mountain was considered sacred.
But way before this time, about 230 to 240 million years ago, dinosaurs populated this area. This area must have been near the sea since many fish-like and invertebrates fossils have been found here. But the main find includes such larger species as the Paranthosaurus (3.8 meters long) or the the Ceresiosaurus (2.3 meters long), the Ticinosauraus, or the Mixosaurus. Because of the soft clay of the times, these creatures' skeletons have been preserved practically prefectly. There is a didactic path which begins in Meride and takes in the various dinosaur skeletons. Furthermore, there is also a small museum in Meride which shows some of the smaller items, as well as giving details on the digs.