Day Visits
A visit to Bordei and Terra Vecchia is worthwhile experience. The area offers wonderful hikes in unique natural surroundings. On your return, you can refresh yourself in the restaurant or visit the authentic villages. A small boutique sells organic products and some refreshments. There are countless places around the Ecovillage & Sanctuary where you can relax by the various mountain streams and spend time in contemplation.
Location
Nestled between the hills, slopes and small valleys that surround our Ecovillage & Sanctuary are chestnut and oak trees, which are replaced by majestic beech, fir and larch trees as you rise in altitude.
The entire area is framed by imposing rocky peak formations that can be explored on foot. It is a paradise for nature lovers and offers many wonderful opportunities for day trips.
The nearest international airports are Milan-Malpensa and Milan-Linate, both 2,5 hours from Locarno by train and 1,5 hours by car. From Locarno it is a 45 drive to Bordei, where there is a large parking lot. From Bordei it is a 25-minute walk to Terra Vecchia, which can also be reached from Rasa (by cable car from Verdasio, where the Centovalli train stops). From Rasa it is a 10-minute walk downhill to the sanctuary in Terra Vecchia.
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Team
Our team is made up by a colourful group of people with a wide range of skills and talents from different countries. We are united by the pursuit of truth and beauty, a love of nature and a desire to serve others.
Together, we strive to make every stay in the eco-village an enriching and inspiring experience.

Pietro Leemann
General Manager

Swami Madhava
Sanctuary Abbot

Arjuna van der Kooij
Retreat & Course Development

Isabelle DiRada
General Assistance

Amanda Elkuch
Host, Reception & Admin

Arati Haliche
Restaurant Host & Cook

Murti Haliche
Cook and Musician

Merlin Staudacher
Maintenance & Carpentry
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Foundation Terra Vecchia Bordei
The “Terra Vecchia Bordei Foundation” is responsible for the “Terra Vecchia Bordei Ecovillage & Sanctuary”. The strategy for the “Terra Vecchia Bordei Ecovillage & Sanctuary” is to make Terra Vecchia and Bordei available to the community as open places for meeting, recreation, regeneration, socio-cultural initiatives, inspiration and spirituality.
The wide range of activities – aimed at individuals, groups and families in the spirit of an inclusive society – is breathing new life into the Centovalli at the foot of Monte Ghridone with the “Terra Vecchia Bordei Ecovillage & Sanctuary”.

Jonathan Gimmel
Board Member

Guy Lanfranconi
Board Member

Stefan Schwarz
Board Member
Team

Pietro Leemann
General Manager
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Swami Madhava (Isaiah Streisand)
Sanctuary Abbot
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Ananga Isabelle Vogt
Project Development
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Arjuna van der Kooij
Project Development
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Amanda Elkuch
Host, Reception & Admin
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Arati Haliche
Restaurant Host & Cook
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Murti Haliche
Cook and Musician
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Merlin Staudacher
Maintenance & Carpentry
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Foundation
Jonathan Gimmel
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Guy Lanfranconi
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Stefan Schwarz
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Jobs
In addition to volunteer work, our ecovillage also offers a range of paid employment opportunities in the areas of agriculture, maintenance and hospitality. If you are interested in a specific job, please send us an email.