The city of Locarno is situated at the northern end of Lake Maggiore, northwest of Milan, Italy, near the foot of the Alps. It is home to the Locarno International Film Festival, which takes place here each August. Italian is the official language of the area, which is home to a number of historic sites. This includes a castle, which some historians have stated was designed by Leonardo da Vinci, as well as an ancient necropolis that was established during the Bronze Age and a variety of Roman ruins. There are actually several castles in Locarno that date back to the Middle Ages, including the Castello Visconteo, which lies at the edge of the old town and was originally built in the 12th century, although only a portion remains today. When visiting Locarno, consider reserving a rental car for transportation, as this allows you to make your own schedule and prevents the need to tag along on tours that may not cover the things that you find most interesting.