Stunning drone footage of the Valle Verzasca in Switzerland where the dam made famous by the James Bond film "Golden Eye" can be found.
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The Valle Verzasca is a valley in the Locarno district of the Canton of Ticino, Switzerland. It comprises the municipalities of Mergoscia, Vogorno, Corippo, Lavertezzo, Brione, Gerra, Frasco, and Sonogno. As of 2004, the total population of 3,200. Mergoscia is at the geographical center of the Ticino, and none of the passes out of the valley cross cantonal or national borders. The valley is formed by the Verzasca River and is situated between the Leventina and the Maggia and culminates at Pizzo Barone.Due to its isolated location, the Verzasca Valley is claimed as one of the valleys that could keep the best its originality. The secluded geographical location made it unattractive for conquerors since the Roman period, and even before. First traces of settlement have been found from the early 2nd millennium BC in its south. In Berzona, a locality (frazione) of Vogorno, situated on the hiking trail, Sass di Striöi (literally: witches stone) is situated, a shell rock probably around 600–700 BC; there are about 90 such carved rocks in the Verzasca Valley. Although initially free farmers, the valley was from about 1410 alternately ruled by the Swiss Confederacy, Savoy, Leventia and the Rusca family. In the European Middle Ages, the population were mainly pastoralists, and since the early 17th century, many residents had leave for seasonal labour outside their home valley; still unemployed young men were recruited as mercenaries for foreign armies. In two quarries also granite is mined by local workers.The so-called Rustici (Italian for farm house) in grey stone, with white borders on the windows and heavy stone roofs, are typical houses in the valley. As a bar for the heavy stone roof, Castanea sativa wood is used. Many chapels along the way bear witness to the deep faith of the inhabitants of the valley. From Valle Vercasza origined many of the so-called Spazzacamini (literally: chimney sweep children). The mountaintop with views of the Valais, Bernese, Glarus and Grisons Alps, as well as the many transitions in the side and neighbouring valleys are popular to mountain hikers, and around a dozen mountain huts provide accommodation and meals. The Verzasca River is popular to canoeists and divers, but considered to be dangerous and difficult. The Verzasca Dam is also well known for its 220 m height jump, which is one of the highest jumps in the world and also the most famous bungy jump, as it was used in the James Bond film GoldenEye.
