OROBIE BERGAMASCHE

Val Taleggio

Gromo

Valle Imagna
When we state that there are many good reasons to organise a holiday in the
Province of Bergamo, we are well aware that we are making a biased obser-
vation, as we love this region and we are committed to developing tourism
here. But, in reality, it is an honest claim. We convince ourselves of this fact,
merely by thinking of the wonder we feel each time we pass through the
tangled streets of Gandino or Clusone, when we see traces of frescoes on the
sides of houses, and doorways bearing the coats of arms of old noble fami-
lies, whose men and women lived behind these walls, and walked through
these rooms and streets. Good reasons to choose the Province of Bergamo.
The sense of contemplation, almost of awe, which is inspired by the massive
structure of the Grand Hotel at San Pellegrino, with its ghostly ambience,
with its huge domes and Art Nouveau friezes that speak of luxury, of the
belle poque, of the joy of life and frivolity. The Grand Hotel and Casino of
San Pellegrino amidst the hills that protect the town, dark green contrast-
ing with the blue of the sky. Holidays in the hills, at Clusone, for example;
spa holidays, at SantOmobono, Trescore, Bracca and Gaverina. Just a short
distance from the mountains. The mountains in the Bergamo area always
fascinate us; each time they bring us closer to ourselves. The Orobie Prealps
and Alps. From the gentle hills surrounding Bergamo to the two-thousand-
metre-high rugged ridge of the Alben, which seems like a witches castle, to
the splendid grandeur of the Arera group at an altitude of 2,500 metres, above
the Valcanale, a gorge lined with r trees and scattered with tiny old hamlets,
where one can soak up a genuine alpine atmosphere and where, in the sum-
mertime, we come across numerous ocks and herds. And then there are the
queens of the Orobie Prealps, with the Presolana, the Pizzo dei Tre Signori
(Three Lords Peak), the Corno Stella and the Pizzo del Becco (Beak Peak) on
one side, while on the other we nd the great three-thousand-metre-high
peaks, the Coca, the Redorta and the Scais, with footpaths and small lakes,
and itineraries winding across meadows, scree slopes and rocks, the thrills
of which are difcult to describe. Good reasons for a holiday in the Province
of Bergamo. And now we start to think of pinewoods and the silence of the
Scalve Valley, a strip of land at the far end of the province; when we arrive
here, descending from the Presolana Pass or climbing up along the Via Mala,
it is as though we enter a different dimension of time. These are all places
where a discreet form of tourism, which was once reserved exclusively for the
elite, has existed since well before the beginning of the last century: San Pel-
legrino, Clusone, the Presolana Pass, Schilpario... The allure of water again
springs to mind. The small and enchanting Endine Lake, walled in by the
mountains, with its cane thickets and the anglers camouaged among them,
and the rowing boats that plough lazily along its green shores. Lake Iseo,
Lake Sebino, with Lovere, Predore, and Sarnico, the home of boat manufac-
turing, the rare charm of Monte Isola, in the middle of the lake, the largest
lake island in Europe. And then the rivers, certain stretches of which can still
be enjoyed, such as the Brembo with its lido (beach) at Clanezzo, amidst the
remains of medieval fortresses. We could talk about the beauty of the Prov-
ince of Bergamo for hours, and ll books with reasons why you should spend
a holiday here. You can get a good idea by reading this brochure.
Youll get an even better idea if you come here in person.

2
 SCHILPARIO, CIMON DELLA BAGOZZA

Valle Brembana
Valle Seriana Superiore
Valle di Scalve
Valle Seriana
Valle Imagna 3
 Camp site Horse riding

Refuge Grass skiing

Out-of-hours medical service Ice skating

Bocce court (italian
Emergency service bowling), bowling
SPA baths Summer toboggan run
v v v v v
v v v

Discothque/night club Protected areas

Cinema Tubing run

I.A.T. Tourist information
ofce
Historical remains

Museum

Nature reserve
Canoeing, rowing, kaya-
king, rafting, hydrospeed
Attractions

Gastronomic specialities

Alpine rescue

Alpine rescue corps

Elilombardia helicopter rescue service

Rock climbing school

Walks, excursions,
climbs
Hang gliding, paragliding

Gliding

Cycle tracks

Tennis court

Golf, minigolf

Swimming pool

Sailing

Windsurng

Waterskiing

Fishing
Target shooting, clay
pigeon shooting
 INFORMATION OFFICES

UFFICIO I.A.T. BERGAMO ALTA

Via Gombito 13, - 24129 BERGAMO
Tel. 035.242.226 - Fax 035.242.994
www.comune.bergamo.it - turismo@comune.bg.it

UFFICIO I.A.T. BERGAMO BASSA

Piazzale Marconi - 24100 BERGAMO
Tel. 035.210.204 - Fax 035.230.184
www.comune.bergamo.it - turismo1@comune.bg.it

UFFICIO I.A.T DI VALLE BREMBANA

Via S. Carlo 4 - 24016 S. PELLEGRINO TERME
Tel. 0345.23.344 - 0345.21.020 - Fax 0345.23.344 - 0345.21.020
www.vallebrembana.com - ufcioturistico@valbrembana.info

UFFICIO I.A.T. DELLALTOPIANO DI SELVINO-AVIATICO

C.so Milano, 19 - 24020 SELVINO
Tel. 035.765.959 - Fax 035.765.928
www.comunediselvino.it - apt@comunediselvino.it

UFFICIO TURISTICO ALTO SEBINO

Piazza XIII Martiri - 24065 LOVERE
Tel. 035.962.178 - Fax 035.962.525
www.comune.lovere.bg.it - iat.altosebino@tiscali.it

UFFICIO I.A.T. BASSO SEBINO

Via Lantieri, 6 - 24067 SARNICO
Tel. 035.910.900 - Fax 035.4261.334
www.comune.sarnico.bg.it - www.bronzone.it
info@prolocosarnico.it - segreteria@prolocosarnico.it

UFFICIO I.A.T. VALCAVALLINA

Via Suardi, 20 - 24069 TRESCORE
Tel. 035.944.777 - Fax 035.944.777
www.prolocotrescore.it - info@prolocotrescore.it

UFFICIO I.A.T. MARTINENGO e Comprensorio

Via Tadino - 24047 MARTINENGO
Tel. 0363.986.031 (pro loco) - 0363.986.006 (Municipio)
Fax 0363.987.765
ufcioturistico@comune.martinengo.bg.it - proloco.martinengo@libero.it
www.iatmartinengo.it

UFFICIO I.A.T. TREVIGLIO e Comprensorio

Piazza Cameroni 3 - 24047 TREVIGLIO
Tel. 0363.45.466 - Fax 0363.59.5559
www.prolocotreviglio.it - info@prolocotreviglio.it

UFFICIO I.A.T. SOTTO IL MONTE-ISOLA BERGAMASCA

Via IV Novembre 1 - 24039 SOTTO IL MONTE
Tel. 035.4376.798 - Fax 035.4375.239
www.isolabergamasca.org - promoisola@isolabergamasca.com

UFFICIO I.A.T. DEGLI ALMENNO

Via Papa Giovanni XXIII - 24030 ALMENNO SAN BARTOLOMEO
Tel. 035.548.634 - Fax 035.548.634
www.iatvalleimagna.com - info@iatvalleimagna.com
 Isola di Fondra, Piazzatorre
Alpe Corte, Baita Armentarga, Benigni, Ca San Marco,
F.lli Calvi, F.lli Longo, Gherardi, Laghi Gemelli (Twin Lakes)
Piazza Brembana,
S. Giovanni Bianco, Zogno
S. Giovanni Bianco

S. Pellegrino Terme
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 BREMBANA VALLEY

SAN GIOVANNI BIANCO

Valtellin a Val
Camonica
Passo SAN SIMONE FOPPOLO Passo del
S. Marco VALBONDIONE Vivione
PIAZZA CARONA SCHILPARIO
CUSIO LIZZOLA
TORRE
ORNICA VILMINORE
BRANZI
VALT ORTA GROMO SPIAZZI
AZZONE
VALCANALE COLERE
OLMO AL
BREMBO ARDESIO Val
RONCOBELLO Passo della Camonica
OLTRE- Presolana
LENNA SENDA
OLTRE IL COLLE
VEDESETA TALEGGIO PONTE
S. GIOVANNI MONTE
Lecco Bianco NOSSA PORA
FUIPIANO P EGH CASTIONE
SERINA d. Presolana
ERA CLUS0NE
ROTA S. PELLEGRINO ONETA
Imagna Terme COLZATE GANDINO
GEROSA LOVERE
BREMBILLA BRACCA
COSTA ENDINE
Imagna ZO SELVINO
GN
VA O LEFFE
LC
AVA CENE Lago
SEDRINA Lago di
ALMENNO Endine d'Iseo
ALZANO L. GAVERINA
S. Salvatore VILLA
D'ALME' Terme MONASTEROLO
del Castello
SOTTO IL MONTE BERGAMO SARNICO Monte Isola
GIOVANNI XXIII TRESCORE
BALNEARIO
DALMINE

Malpaga
MILANO

MARTINENGO

ROMANO Rovato Brescia

TREVIGLIO CARAVAGGI O di Lombardia
MILANO Lodi VERO
Crema NA

8

C arved by the River Brembo, the
valley soon becomes rather
wild, enclosed, mountainous and al-
most inaccessible, thus differing con-
siderably from the gentler and more
open Seriana Valley. The River Brem-
bo has a much higher ow rate than
the Serio and less water is diverted
from it for industrial purposes; there-
fore, it normally proves to be more
abundant than its sibling. The Brem-
bana Valley begins with wild and crag-
gy landscapes. However, as we contin-
ue on towards its source, we encoun-
ter unexpected openings, magnicent
and vast basins, new narrowings, and
the valley breaks off into countless
smaller vales. Towns that can be re-
garded as the valleys calling cards
include Villa dAlm and, above all, Al-
menno and Clanezzo, localities situ-
ated on the border between the Brem-
bana and Imagna Valleys. Here, the
landscape is still hilly, but soon be-
comes rocky. Fifteen kilometres from
Bergamo we nd Sedrina, which is
considered to be the rst town to truly
belong to the Brembana Valley. We are
at the beginning, yet the valley is al-
ready craggy, with steep rock faces,
and the Brembo runs at the bottom of
a steep cliff. At Sedrina, visitors can
stop off and visit the church, with its
faade designed by the architect Mau-
ro Codussi in the 15th century. The
building houses an altar piece by
Lorenzo Lotto. Just past Sedrina, we
arrive at one of the most characteristic
places in the whole Brembana Valley:
we nd ourselves at the Ponti di Se-
drina (Sedrina Bridges), the point in
which the Brembilla Valley merges
with the Brembana Valley, and where
the overhanging cliffs and rock faces
are linked by four bridges from differ-
ent historical periods. Sedrina was the
birthplace of Pac Paciana, the Prov-
ince of Bergamos most famous brig-
and, a legendary gure who lived dur-
ing the 18th century. After Sedrina we
continue towards Zogno, the small ad-
ministrative and economic capital of
the Brembana Valley. Along the road
on our left is the entrance to the
Grotte delle Meraviglie (Caves of Won-
der), a genuine attraction, whose nat-
ural chambers are adorned with fan-
tastic stalactites and stalagmites. Zog-
no is the most populated town in the
valley, with eight thousand inhabit-
ants. In the historic town centre are
several old shops and palazzos, includ-
ing the one once owned by Bortolo
Belotti, the local historian and politi-
cian. In Zogno, a visit must be made to
the Museo della Valle (Museum of the
Valley), which houses approximately
ve thousand objects that document
the evolution of civilisation in the val-
ley during the course of the centuries.
A section of the museum contains ar-
chaeological nds that were discov-
9

SEDRINA BRIDGES
ered in several caves in the area: Busa
de lAndrea, Busa de lEdera and Busa
del Pus, in the proximity of the Se-
drina Bridges. The caverns represent-
ed tombs in the Bronze Age, and have
yielded human bones and remains in
addition to utensils. Mention should
also be made of several of the towns
beautiful little hamlets, such as En-
denna, Somendenna, Stabello and
Poscante, extremely peaceful places,
surrounded by woods and meadows,
which are ideal for relaxing holidays.
Beyond this vast green amphitheatre,
the valley narrows once again and the
road, skirting the Brembo, arrives at
the tourist capital, San Pellegrino
Terme, of which we will speak later.
Past San Pellegrino, on the right, the
road climbs up to Dossena, which is
situated one thousand metres above
sea level in a lovely position, and has
approximately nine hundred inhabit-
ants. The parish church dedicated to
St. John the Baptist is a veritable artis-
tic gem and houses two huge polyp-
tychs; one attributed to Palma il Vec-
chio, the other to Francesco Rizzo da
Santacroce. We also nd paintings by
Carlo Ceresa, Paolo Veronese and
10
Rubens, and a processional cross in
gilded silver from the 16th century, one
of the most valuable of its kind in the
Bergamo area. Dossena is home to one
of the most important rustic carnivals
in the province. Going back down into
the valley, we carry on until we reach
San Giovanni Bianco, approximately
thirty kilometres from Bergamo, per-
haps the oldest and most historically
rich town in the valley. A small, sepa-
rate section will be dedicated to San
Giovanni Bianco and Cornello dei Tas-
so. Continuing on our way, we pass the
junction for the Taleggio Valley (sepa-
rate chapter) before arriving at Camera-
ta Cornello, which is particularly re-
nowned for the hamlet of Cornello dei
Tasso, a centuries-old village that has
remained unchanged since the Middle
Ages. It is the home of the celebrated
family that invented the postal service
in the 13th century, and whose lineage
includes the famous poet Torquato
Tasso. We continue our journey to-
wards the heart of the Upper Bremba-
na Valley and arrive at Lenna, which
stands at an altitude of 560 metres at
the confluence of the two main
branches of the Brembo, which de-
scend from Olmo and Fondra respec-
tively. At this point, the valley opens
into a small plain, where a beautiful
artificial lake lies peacefully in the
middle of the r tree forests. The par-
ish church with the Neo-Gothic faade
houses numerous works of art. Lenna
was the birthplace of the 15th-century
architect Mauro Codussi. At Lenna,
the valley branches off in various di-
rections: one fork climbs towards
Branzi before reaching Carona and
Foppolo, another stretches towards
Piazza Brembana. From Piazza Brem-
bana, other routes lead to Valtorta, the
San Marco Pass and Cusio along with
Monte Avaro. We take the road that
rises towards Carona and Foppolo and
arrive in Valnegra, a little town with
just 230 inhabitants, which lies on the
slopes of Monte Torcola at 581 metres
above sea level. At 650 metres above

sea level we nd Moio de Calvi (with
approximately two hundred inhabit-
ants), the birthplace of the four Calvi
brothers, three of whom died tragical-
ly in the Great War, the fourth perish-
ing on the Adamello mountain range.
In the centre of the village, several
groups of 14th-century houses, excel-
lent examples of rustic architecture,
still preserve their age-old character-
istics. It is also possible to see several
Venetian-style buildings that date
back to the 16th and 17th centuries. The
15th-century parish church is dedicat-
ed to San Mattia. Further on, we reach
the junction with a road on the right
that leads to Valsecca, where we nd
the hamlets of Bordogna and Baresi,
the towns of Roncobello and Ca-
povalle. This charming valley, carved
by the Valsecca torrent, is home to
characteristic rustic villages, many of
which have remained substantially
unchanged. Roncobello was one of the
rst places in the Brembana Valley to
be discovered by tourists, thanks pri-
marily to the outstanding beauty of
the surrounding landscapes. Mention
should be made of the rustic and aus-
tere beauty of Capovalle, a now-aban-
doned village of old houses. From Ca-
CORNELLO DEI TASSO
BREMBANA VALLEY
povalle it is possible to reach the
Branchino Lake Pass, where you can
partake in an enjoyable excursion, de-
scending towards the Alpe Corte Ref-
uge: we are in the very heart of the
Seriana Valley. Another excursion
leads to the Laghi Gemelli (Twin
Lakes) Pass, then on to the refuge of
the same name. Another interesting
excursion will take you to the Cima di
Menna (Menna Peak, 2,300 metres).
The next port of call is composed of
two hamlets, Fondra and Trabuchello,
which form the municipality of Isola
di Fondra, with approximately 180 in-
habitants. Isola di Fondras economy
was based on mining activity and it
was renowned for the production of
nails. From Isola di Fondra, the nu-
merous mule tracks offer the possibil-
ity of interesting walks to charming
places, such as the tiny hamlets on the
slopes of Monte Torcola (1,636 m):
Foppa, Cornelli, Forcella and Pusdos-
so, at an altitude of approximately one
thousand metres. Other excursions
lead to the Tre Pizzi (Three Peaks,
2,216 metres) and Monte Pietra
Quadra (2,356 metres), passing
through lush valleys. We should also
mention the climb to the Pizzo Badile
11
 (Badile Peak, 2,044 m), with the
Monte Colle Pass which descends
towards Valleve. We are now at
Branzi (870 m - pop. 850); an impor-
tant centre that is renowned for its
cheese, it is situated at the conu-
ence of the Borleggia torrent and
the Brembo, and is the most highly
populated village in this part of the
valley. Branzi is an extremely popu-
lar tourist destination, mainly be-
cause of its charming position be-
tween the towering mountains, a
SAN PELLEGRINO TERME
12
short distance from the wonderful
basin of the Laghi Gemelli (Twin
Lakes). It has also developed a win-
ter tourism industry, based on the
magnicent Gardata cross-country
ski trail. Branzi is further renowned
for the quarrying of slate, which is
used for the characteristic stone
roof slabs that are typical of moun-
tain dwellings. Holidaymakers can
enjoy charming walks in the sur-
rounding areas. For instance, the
two-and-a-half-hour route that
leads to the Laghi Gemelli (Twin
Lakes), following the delightful Bor-
leggia Valley and touching the
Casere and Marcio Lakes. From the
Laghi Gemelli (Twin Lakes), inter-
esting excursions can be made to the
Pizzo del Becco (Beak Peak), the Avi-
asco Pass and the Valle dei Frati
(Valley of the Monks). From the Ge-
melli, it is also possible to link up
with the Orobie Prealps Path. From
Branzi, excursions are also possible
to Monte del Tonale (2,425 m), fol-
lowing the Scura Valley and the Car-
nera Valley. Another outing will take
you to the Pizzo Vacca (Cow Peak,
1,914 m), passing the Tabia Chalet.
We are now approaching the head of
the valley. After Branzi we nd the
junction for Carona (1,110 m - pop.
450): well known for summer tour-
ism, it is now also an important win-
ter resort, given the large number of
ski lifts. The village offers a beautiful
articial lake as well as several his-
toric monuments, such as the little
17th-century church of San Gottardo
in the beautiful and characteristic
little hamlet of Pagliari, situated on
the carriageable dirt road that leads
to the Fregabolgia Lake dam and
then on to the Calvi Refuge. Just af-
ter Pagliari, you can admire a water-
fall formed by the torrent that de-
scends from the Sambuzza Valley.
This is one of the most enjoyable
walks that the Bergamo mountains
have to offer: you set off just past the
waterfall in the locality of Forcella;
 BREMBANA VALLEY

you then pass through the lovely

Sambuzza Valley until you reach the
little lake of the same name (2,085
m), and from there, you climb up to
the Publino Pass (2,368 m), on the
border with the Valtellina. From Ca-
rona, however, the most popular walks
are those that lead to the Laghi Ge-
melli (Twin Lakes), the Longo Refuge
and, above all, to the Basin of the Calvi
Refuge, the starting point for unfor-
gettable excursions to the Pizzo del
Diavolo (Devils Peak), the Valsecca
Pass (on the Orobie Prealps Path),
Monte Madonnino, Cabianca and nu-
CASINO OF SAN PELLEGRINO
merous other locations. We now go
back to the junction and back up the
valley until we reach Valleve, which
stands at an altitude of 1,141 metres
and has a population of approximately
170 inhabitants. The parish church
houses works by Carlo Ceresa, Gian
Paolo Cavagna and Antonio Cifrondi.
Also worthy of mention is the small
17th-century church of San Rocco. Val-
leve offers numerous walks for visi-
tors, including those that lead to Mon-
te Pegherolo (2,369 m), Monte Cavallo
(2,223 m) and the Pizzo del Vescovo
(Bishops Peak, 2,175 m). Just a few
kilometres from Valleve lies the cold
Basin of San Simone, one of the ski re-
sorts in the Province of Bergamo LONGO REFUGE
where winter sports can be practised
for a remarkable number of months, del Porcile (Pigpen Pass, 2,290 m) we
thanks to the unique climate. We leave arrive in Valtellina, at the Laghi del
Valleve, and climb up to the head of Porcile (Pigpen Lakes, 2,095 m). A
the valley where we nd Foppolo, a ti- long and beautiful path leads from
ny old village of farmers and herdsmen Foppolo to the Casera di Carisole (a
who have successfully turned their refuge), and then on to the Sambuzza
hand to the tourist industry. At 1,515 Valley. Heading back towards Lenna,
metres, Foppolo is the highest lying we take the road that leads towards the
town in our province. It is also an in- other great branch of the Brembana
ternational tourist destination, offer- Valley, the one that climbs up to Piaz-
ing a vast ski area during the winter za Brembana, then to Olmo al Brem-
and guaranteeing a cool climate, bo, before splitting off in several other
green landscapes, peace and the pos- directions. Piazza Brembana is the lit-
sibility of numerous excursions dur- tle capital of the western branch of the
ing the summer months. Excursions valley; it has approximately one thou-
include: Monte Toro (2,525 m), Corno sand inhabitants and is situated at 553
Stella (2,620 m) and Monte Cadelle metres above sea level. Every year in
(2,483 m). Descending from the Passo September, an important festival takes

13

place dedicated to Formai de Mut, a
fine cheese produced in the valley.
Several of the towns historical cor-
ners are still intact, splendid examples
of rustic, old-style valley architecture.
Particular mention should be made of
the Palazzo Comunale (Town Hall)
and the 17th-century Church of San
Bernardino, which houses a polyptych
by Lattanzio da Rimini and wood carv-
ings by Andrea Fantoni. During the
summer months, the town welcomes
a steady number of holidaymakers,
who come to enjoy the peace and tran-
quillity. Excursions include those to
Monte Torcola (1,636 m) and to the
Pizzo Badile (Badile Peak, 2,044 m).
Olmo al Brembo (556 m - pop. 560) is
situated at the conuence of the Sta-
bina and Averara valleys with the west-
ern branch of the Brembo. In the old
town centre, which overlooks a beau-
tiful little medieval-style piazza, it is
still possible to see old houses built
from square blocks of local stone.
Many charming corners can be found
in the narrow lanes and beneath the
porticoes. The 14th-century Church of
San Pietro, in the hamlet of Cugno, is
worthy of particular mention. Three
branches of the Brembana Valley
stretch away from Olmo, culminating
14
MEZZOLDO, SAN MARCO PASS
respectively at Valtorta, at Cusio with
the Avaro (Misers) Plains and at Mez-
zoldo with the San Marco Pass. The
rst branch passes through the Stabi-
na Valley, touching the municipality of
Cassiglio (602 m - pop. 135), a tiny vil-
lage that is home to the Church of San
Bartolomeo, which has been renovat-
ed since its construction in the 15th
century. Mention should be made of
the Danza Macabra (Dance Macabre)
painted on a wall of the Casa Milesi,
which dates back to the 17th century.
Cassiglio is the starting point of the
western Orobie Prealps Path, a charm-
ing eighty kilometre route which, via
six refuges, leads to the Calvi Refuge
before joining up with the more com-
monly travelled Orobie Prealps Path.
Walks from Cassiglio lead to the Cazza-
niga Refuge (1,889 m), the Baciamorti
(Kiss of the Dead) Pass at 1,540 metres,
which leads down to the Taleggio Valley,
to the Pizzo Baciamorti (Kiss of the
Dead Peak, 2,009 m), Monte Venturosa
(1,993 m) and Monte Aralalta (2,020
m). Ornica (922 m - pop. 300) is an-
other little summer resort, the start-
ing point for some of the most inter-
esting excursions in the Brembana
Valley. The parish church houses a
beautiful 16th-century polyptych and a

high altar in carved wood dating back
to the same period. The sacristy con-
tains frescoes painted by Angelo da
Averara in 1485. A typical destination
from Ornica is the most magnicent
mountain in the whole Brembana Val-
ley, the Pizzo dei Tre Signori (Three
Lords Peak), a splendid massif that
rises to a height of 2,554 m.
Another walk leads to the summit of
the Camisolo at 2,157 metres. Val-
torta (935 m - pop. 350) stands at the
head of the Stabina Valley, which is
traversed by the torrent of the same
name. In recent years, it has also be-
come an important ski resort, linked
with the Valsassina and in particular
with the Piani di Bobbio. The parish
church houses two polyptychs, com-
posed of various sections, which date
back to the 15th century. The beauti-
ful little Romanesque church in the
hamlet of La Torre is also worthy of
mention. Inside are interesting 15th-
century frescoes. From Valtorta it is
possible to link up with the western
Orobie Prealps Path, from where you
can continue to either the Cazzaniga
Refuge or the Grassi Refuge; other
splendid walks through the greenery
and pine forests lead to the Ceresola
CUSIO, PONTERANICA LAKE
BREMBANA VALLEY
Chalet (1,600 m), the Pizzo dei Tre
Signori (Three Lords Peak) and to the
Piani di Bobbio in Valsassina. Now
lets return to Olmo al Brembo and
take the road that climbs towards
Cusio and the Avaro Plains. We ar-
rive at Averara (650 m - pop. 400),
the renowned district through which
the Strada dei Mercanti once passed,
the merchants road that stretched
as far as the San Marco Pass. Several
splendid testimonies of those times
still remain. One place that must be
visited is the porticoed street, where
the merchants rested before the last
difcult climb. The buildings and the
frescoes that adorn them can still be
admired today. In the parish church,
on the faade and beneath the portico,
are frescoes by Simone Baschenis,
from the internationally renowned
family of painters. A visit should also
be made to the tiny hamlet of Redivo,
which surrounds the centuries-old
Church of San Pantaleone with its
Romanesque bell tower. Nearby, we
can observe the celebrated Venetian
customs house with its unique archi-
tecture and unusual external wooden
stairways. The hamlet of Valmoresca
is also extremely charming. Further
15
 on, we nd Santa Brigida (805 m -
pop. 680), where we can still see the
old parish church in the hamlet of
Foppa. Built in around 1000 AD, tes-
timonies to its antiquity include the
15th-century frescoes. The Oratory of
San Lorenzo preserves a tombstone
dedicated to Flavia, a woman who died
in 435 AD. The area is rich in chalk
quarries. There are walks to Monte
Avaro (2,088 m), the Santa Croce Hill
(1,718 m) and Monte Disner (1,330
m), from where you can descend into
the Stabina Valley. At the head of this
section of the Brembana Valley we
nd the small village of Cusio (1,050
m - pop. 400). Cusio is not only a sum-
mer holiday destination, but also a
winter resort that takes full advantage
ORNICA, OLD VILLAGE
16
of the Avaro Plains, an area of great
interest for both holidaymakers and
because of its age-old farming tradi-
tions: the plains offer splendid green
pastures at an altitude of 1,700 m. A
visit should be paid to the little Ora-
torio della Maddalena (Oratory of the
Magdalene) with its fascinating 14th-
century frescoes. The historic heart
of the town is also interesting, with
the Venetian customs building and
several houses dating back to the 13th
century. From Cusio, beautiful walks
lead to the Avaro Plains (served by a
carriageable road), the Ponteranica
Lakes, C San Marco, the Pizzo dei
Tre Signori (Three Lords Peak) and
the Trona Peak (2,510 m), and to the
Cusio Peak (1,466 m). We are now
back in Olmo, ready to take the third
branch that leads to the San Marco
Pass and beyond, into the Valtellina.
The rst village we come to is Piazzolo
(700 m - pop. 120), a tiny agricultural
centre and holiday resort surrounded
by greenery, which offers pleasant ex-
cursions to Monte Torcola (1,636 m),
and from there to the other branch of
the valley, descending towards Fondra
and Branzi. You can also climb up to-
wards Monte Zuccone (1,506 m) and
Monte Faino (1,562 m). Piazzatorre
(860 m - pop. 490), the most highly
developed tourist resort in the Upper
Brembana Valley, lies approximately
fty kilometres from Bergamo and
boasts various ski lifts and a covered
ice-skating rink. Piazzatorre is the
starting point for numerous pleasant
excursions, including those to Monte
Torcola, Monte Secco (2,293 m), and
to the Forcolino di Torcola (1,856 m),
a pass that leads to Branzi and to the
Costone (Ridge, 1,565 m). The last
village in this branch of the valley is
Mezzoldo (830 m - pop. 339). Mezzol-
do is a well-developed tourist resort
that is home to several historical land-
marks, such as the 18th-century cus-
toms house with its frescoed faade;
numerous rustic houses were built
from stone that was quarried from the
 BREMBANA VALLEY

AVERARA PARTICOES

mountain and, as a result, the age-old starting points for unforgettable ex-
village blends in naturally with the cursions to Monte Ponteranica (2,378
surrounding landscape. The portico m), the Verrobbio Pass (at 2,026 m
of the parish church features a fresco with the First World War fortica-
from 1522. Inside, we nd a central tions), Pescegallo Lake (1,862 m) and
altar piece by Lattanzio da Rimini. then to Gerola, in Valtellina, to Monte
The carriageable road continues past Tartano (2,292 m).
Mezzoldo until it reaches the delight-
ful locality of Ponte dellAcqua (The
Bridge of Water), with the Madonna
delle Nevi (Madonna of the Snows)
Refuge; it then climbs up to the C
San Marco Refuge and on to the San
Marco Pass, before descending into
the Valtellina. These are places that
can be reached by car or on foot, fol-
lowing footpaths or the old mule track
known as the Via Priula, which was
built by the Venetian Republic in or-
der to improve relations with the Val-
tellina and Switzerland. The C San
Marco Refuge possesses an extraor-
dinary evocative capacity, dictated by
the rock stones from which it is built,
the solid vaults of its rooms and the
fountain in the internal entrance hall,
all elements that reect the age-old
history of this building, which was
created as a frontier post between the
Venetian Republic and the Valtellina.
Mezzoldo and the San Marco Pass are AVERARA, REDIVO HOUSE

17
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SERINA
VALLEY
 SERINA VALLEY

SERINA

Valtellin a Val
Camonica
Passo SAN SIMONE FOPPOLO Passo del
S. Marco VALBONDIONE Vivione
PIAZZA CARONA SCHILPARIO
CUSIO LIZZOLA
TORRE
ORNICA VILMINORE
BRANZI
VALT ORTA GROMO SPIAZZI
AZZONE
VALCANALE COLERE
OLMO AL
BREMBO ARDESIO Val
RONCOBELLO Passo della Camonica
OLTRE- Presolana
LENNA SENDA
OLTRE IL COLLE
VEDESETA TALEGGIO PONTE
S. GIOVANNI MONTE
Lecco Bianco NOSSA PORA
FUIPIANO P EGH CASTIONE
SERINA d. Presolana
ERA CLUS0NE
ROTA S. PELLEGRINO ONETA
Imagna Terme COLZATE GANDINO
GEROSA LOVERE
BREMBILLA BRACCA
COSTA ENDINE
Imagna ZO SELVINO
GN
VA O LEFFE
LC
AVA CENE Lago
SEDRINA Lago di
ALMENNO Endine d'Iseo
ALZANO L. GAVERINA
S. Salvatore VILLA
D'ALME' Terme MONASTEROLO
del Castello
SOTTO IL MONTE BERGAMO SARNICO Monte Isola
GIOVANNI XXIII TRESCORE
BALNEARIO
DALMINE

Malpaga
MILANO

MARTINENGO

ROMANO Rovato Brescia

TREVIGLIO CARAVAGGI O di Lombardia
MILANO Lodi VERO
Crema NA

20

A fter Zogno, we turn to the right
and begin climbing, entering a
sort of tunnel between the mountains,
dark rock faces, precipices and carved
solid rock, where the road runs along-
side a torrent. A frightening gorge,
which is referred to as orrido (mean-
ing both ravine and dreadful in Ital-
ian). This is the contradictory calling
card of a valley which, a little further
on, widens into a vast, green, sunny
basin, with two branches that climb to-
wards Selvino and towards Serina and
Zambla. The huge basin is enclosed by
the peaks of the Alben, the Arera and
the Menna. The valley boasts a long and
important history: it was traversed by
the old merchants road, which linked
Bergamo and the Seriana Valley to the
Brembana Valley. The Serina Valley was
the administrative centre of the whole
Brembana Valley. At the beginning of
the valley we nd the locality of Ambra
with Ponte Merlo. Further ahead, on
the left, is Bracca (620 m - pop. 680), a
locality that is renowned for its springs
and mineral water. At the junction, one
road leads towards Selvino, the other to
Serina. We head towards Selvino, and ar-
rive in the village of Algua (432 m - pop.
720). A trip should be made to the parish
church in the hamlet of Pagliaro, which
contains interesting frescoes and one in
particular, attributed to Lorenzo Lotto,
which depicts St. Francis. Visits should
also be paid to the parish church in the
hamlet of Frerola and to the Perello
sanctuary, which was built in 1580 upon
the mountain of the same name. The
church of Rigosa is also interesting,
with its early 16th-century frescoes. Fur-
ther up, the ascent leads to the Selvino
plateau, to which a separate chapter
is devoted. We return to the bottom of
the valley and set off on the road that
climbs up towards Serina. The rst vil-
lage on the right is Costa di Serina (907
m - pop. 910), which offers beautiful
walks in the surrounding forests and to
the summits of Monte Alben (2,019 m),
Monte Suchello (1,505 m) and to the
Blumen Pass (1,277 m), which leads to
the Riso Valley. After Costa di Serina, we
pass several tiny hamlets before reach-
ing Cornalba (900 m - pop. 300). The
parish church preserves three panels
from the 15th century. Painted shrines,
known as santelle, are a character-
istic feature that we can see on many
farmhouses in the Bergamo mountains.
One in particular, depicting the Deposi-
tion, is painted on an old house. Walks
include those listed for Costa Serina,
plus one to the La Forca Pass (1,848
m), which descends in the Riso Valley. A
natural rock gymnasium, equipped for
free climbing, can also be found in the
Cornalba area. As we ascend, we come
upon the tiny hamlet of Lepreno before
arriving in Serina (850 m - pop. 2,000),
one of the most important tourist des-
tinations in the Province of Bergamo
21
 and a village with a long and presti-
gious history, as evidenced by the rich
architecture. There are many monu-
ments and buildings to see in Serina.
The 16th-century Fontana del Vicario
(Vicars Fountain), and another simi-
larly old structure, with three spires
and a lions mouth, from which water
ows into a basin (dating back to 1645).
The Parish Church of the Annunciata
was rebuilt by the Caniana family in the
18th century. Inside are frescoes by Gian
Battista Rodriguez (1750), stuccoes
by Eugenio Camuzio from Lugano,
the Pala del Redentore (Altar-Piece of
the Redeemer) by Palma il Vecchio, a
great 16th-century painter and a native
of Serina, and other works by Palma il
Giovane, the Fantoni family, Francesco
Rizzo da Santacroce and Andrea Pre-
vitali. Visits should also be paid to the
Church of San Rocco, the Monastery of
the Santissima Trinit (Holy Trinity),
the Casa del Vicario, (Vicars House),
RAVINE a 15th-century building with the lion of
San Marco, the San Bernardino portico
with frescoes and the old route of the
Via dei trafcanti (Merchants Road).
The hamlets of Lepreno, Valpiana and
Corone are also of interest. An impor-
tant cattle fair is held in Serina every
September. Numerous walks are pos-
sible in the surrounding countryside:
Monte Alben, Menna, the La Forca
Pass, Monte Zucco (1,336 m). A foot-
path also leads to Dossena and then
into the Brembana Valley, through the
Crocetta (little cross) Pass, at 1,051 m.
From Serina, you can also reach Monte
Vaccareggio (1,474 m), Monte Castello
(1,474 m) and the Pizzo Arera (Arera
Peak, 2,512 m). Oltre il Colle is the
last village, and is made up of various
hamlets: Zambla Alta, Zambla Bassa
and Zorzone. Oltre il Colle lies at an
altitude of 1,030 m in a splendid basin
surrounded by the Alben, the Arera and
the Cima di Menna (Menna Peak). Ski
lifts can be found on the slopes of the
Arera. Oltre il Colle also boasts a mag-
nicent cross-country ski trail. During
COSTA SERINA, ASCENSION the summer, the area is populated by

22

numerous holidaymakers. The parish
church houses a canvas by Enrico Scuri
that must be seen. At Zambla Bassa,
the parish church possesses a painting
by Gian Paolo Cavagna. The church
of Zorzone is the work of the Caniana
family. The old and characteristic little
church of Grimoldo is dedicated to the
Santa Croce (Holy Cross) and has fres-
coes on its faade. Inside, we nd a Ma-
donna by Andrea Fantoni. Numerous
beautiful walks are possible from Oltre
il Colle and Zambla. By setting off from
Zorzone and crossing the Vedra Valley
COSTA SERINA
SERINA VALLEY
and its pass (1,850 m), you can reach
Branchino Lake and the Seriana Valley.
From Zorzone, you can also climb up to
the Vindiolo Pass, at 1,974 m, and then
descend to Roncobello. Walks then lead
to the Arera, with the Sentiero dei Fiori
(Path of Flowers). From Zambla Alta,
it is possible to climb up to the Cima
di Grem (Grem Peak, 2,049 m), arriv-
ing at the Camplano chalet (1,826 m),
before descending along the Gorgolina
Valley as far as Ponte Nossa. Another
excursion leads to the Nembrini biv-
ouac, then to the Alben.
23
Gherardi

S. Giovanni Bianco and Zogno

S. Giovanni Bianco

Taleggio

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Enna gorge (ravine)

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AND BREMBILLA
VALLEYS
 TALEGGIO AND BREMBILLA VALLEYS

TALEGGIO VALLEY

Valtellin a Val
Camonica
Passo SAN SIMONE FOPPOLO Passo del
S. Marco VALBONDIONE Vivione
PIAZZA CARONA SCHILPARIO
CUSIO LIZZOLA
TORRE
ORNICA VILMINORE
BRANZI
VALT ORTA GROMO SPIAZZI
AZZONE
VALCANALE COLERE
OLMO AL
BREMBO ARDESIO Val
RONCOBELLO Passo della Camonica
OLTRE- Presolana
LENNA SENDA
OLTRE IL COLLE
VEDESETA TALEGGIO PONTE
S. GIOVANNI MONTE
Lecco Bianco NOSSA PORA
FUIPIANO P EGH CASTIONE
SERINA d. Presolana
ERA CLUS0NE
ROTA S. PELLEGRINO ONETA
Imagna Terme COLZATE GANDINO
GEROSA LOVERE
BREMBILLA BRACCA
COSTA ENDINE
Imagna ZO SELVINO
GN
VA O LEFFE
LC
AVA CENE Lago
SEDRINA Lago di
ALMENNO Endine d'Iseo
ALZANO L. GAVERINA
S. Salvatore VILLA
D'ALME' Terme MONASTEROLO
del Castello
SOTTO IL MONTE BERGAMO SARNICO Monte Isola
GIOVANNI XXIII TRESCORE
BALNEARIO
DALMINE

Malpaga
MILANO

MARTINENGO

ROMANO Rovato Brescia

TREVIGLIO CARAVAGGI O di Lombardia
MILANO Lodi VERO
Crema NA

26

T he Taleggio Valley is accessed
primarily from San Giovanni
Bianco, or from Sedrina, passing
through the Brembilla Valley. The
point of entry from San Giovanni
Bianco is particularly striking: the
road is narrow, carved into the moun-
tain; in certain stretches, the solid
rock practically transforms itself into
a tunnel; the adjacent precipice falls
into the wild and foamy Enna torrent.
Ice is commonplace in the winter,
with frozen waterfalls, ice patches and
icicles. There is also a succession of
curves, bridges and cliffs. The valley is
an oasis of quiet and greenery, a start-
ing point for beautiful walks, ideal for
those who seek peace, tranquillity and
relaxation in the mountains. It is also
famous for the cheese that takes its
name from Taleggio and which can
still be found today, despite the fact
that stock-farming is not practiced
as much in the mountains as it was
in the past.
We climb up the road from San
Giovanni Bianco, and after approxi-
mately eleven kilometres, we come
to four small hamlets: Olda, Pizzino,
Sottochiesa and Peghera, which
form the municipality of Taleggio
(700 inhabitants). Olda is the most
important of these localities. A visit
should be paid to the Sanctuary of
San Bartolomeo, where, in olden
times, a necropolis existed for the
noblemen of the Averara and Cas-
siglio Valleys. It can be reached via the
footpaths that lead to the Baciamorti
(Kiss of the Dead) Pass, the border be-
tween the Taleggio and Upper Brem-
bana Valleys and the Stabina Valley.
At Peghera, the parish church houses
the most interesting work of art in the
valley: a polyptych by Palma il Vecchio
in seven sections, which dates back to
the 16th century. Perched on a hillock
at an altitude of 900 m, Pizzino towers
above the other hamlets and is, in all
probability, the oldest of these settle-
ments: it lies on what was once the bor-
der between the Republic of Venice and
the Duchy of Milan. The parish church
was originally constructed in the 11th
century, but was rebuilt at a later date.
Taleggios town hall is located in the
hamlet of Sottochiesa, whose parish
church contains an altar piece by An-
drea Vicentino (1589). In Sottochiesa
we nd the Fidelitas Taleggi Column,
which was erected in 1609 by the Vene-
tian Republic to seal the oath of loyalty
sworn to it by the people of the valley.
It is also possible to admire a tower,
dating back to the 13th century, which
was part of a defence system. Recom-
mended excursions include a twenty
minute walk from Pizzino to Fraggio,
a beautiful old agricultural village,
which is now completely abandoned.
Fraggio represents a splendid example
of rural town planning and mountain
27

architecture. The simple houses had
high, narrow and rather steep roofs,
constructed from the heavy local
stone. Among the many interesting
and fascinating excursions is the one
from the Ponte del Becco (Bridge of
the Beak), which, before reaching
Sottochiesa, at an altitude of 593 m,
leads via a long and changing footpath
to the peak of Monte Cancervo, at an
altitude of 1,835 m. This mountain
covers a vast area, where peaks and
rocks alternate with stretches of ap-
parently at ground. It is still inhab-
ited by a wealth of fauna, including
roe deer, chamois and many other
species that are found in the Orobie
Prealps. Next to the Cancervo stands
Monte Venturosa, at 1,999 m. From
Pizzino, it is possible to reach the
Baciamorti (Kiss of the Dead) Pass,
the route once taken by the cadavers
of Cassiglio. From Pizzino, you can
also climb to Monte Aralalta (2,006
m), the Cesare Battisti Refuge (1,685
m) and to Monte Sodadura (2,010 m).
The second town in the Taleggio Val-
ley is Vedeseta (805 m - pop. 323),
where you can admire tower houses
28
FRAGGIO, THE THREE BEECHES
that bear witness to a bellicose past.
Vedeseta belonged to the Ghibelline
faction, and there were often clashes
with the Guelfs from the neighbour-
ing town of Taleggio. The municipal-
ity is home to the Sanctuary of San
Bartolomeo, built in around 1200.
The church is immersed in nature and
is the destination for various excur-
sions, such as the traditional Easter
Monday walk where a typical meal of
eggs, chicory and salami is eaten on
the grass opposite the edice. From
Vedeseta, you can reach the Culmine
San Pietro (1,260 m) and the subse-
quent descent into Valsassina. Anoth-
er destination is the Zuc di Valbona
(1,546 m); you can also climb towards
the beautiful sources of the Enna tor-
rent and tackle the demanding ascent
to the Resegone. From the Forcella di
Bura (Bura Col) at 884 m, we descend
into the Brembilla Valley, where we
come to Gerosa (760 m - pop. 430), a
village whose economy was based on
stock-farming and which has today
opened itself to tourism in virtue of its
delightful position and natural envi-
ronment. The parish church was built
 TALEGGIO AND BREMBILLA VALLEYS

in the 18th century to a design by the

Caniana family. Walks include those
to the Castello della Regina (Queens
Castle, 1,424 m), Monte Sornadello
(1,580 m), the Zucco di Pralongone
(1,503 m) and to the Madonna della
Foppa Sanctuary. Another walk leads
to the tiny village of Blello, the small-
est municipality in the Province of
Bergamo with 107 inhabitants. It lies
at an altitude of 900 m, close to the
border with the Imagna Valley. Blello
has been described as a piece of para-
dise, a place where the frenetic rush
of society seems decades away. An
untouched corner. The parish church
is a small sacred building, typical of
the modest religious architecture
found in mountain regions. It stands
on the hillock known as Monte Fag-
gio, so called because a great beech
BREMBILLA, ROMAN BRIDGE
tree (faggio) once grew there. It can
be reached in around half an hour.
Brembilla (417 m - pop. 4,000) has old and children alike, were given
a rather different story. It is a large three days to leave. Most of them went
town where craft and industry have to Milan, the territory of the Visconti.
developed considerably. In 1443, In fact, Brembilla is still one of the
Brembilla was subjected to a diaspora: most common surnames in the Milan
the senate of the Venetian Republic area. A visit should be paid to the ham-
decided that all the local people were lets of SantAntonio Abbandonato and
to leave their hometown for having Catremerio, scarcely populated locali-
supported the Visconti family against ties with characteristic dwellings and
the Serenissima. All citizens, young, mountain architecture.

OLDA

29
 1:

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v v v v v
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SantOmobono Terme

Regional Natural Park of the Orobie Prealps

Imagna torrent
River Brembo
Costa Imagna

Berbenno -*4
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Roncola, Capizzone, Corna Imagna

Tomb of the Poles

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Rota, Locatello, Roncola
Almenno San Bartolomeo +3//% &% ()-:

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IMAGNA
VALLEY
 IMAGNA VALLEY

IMAGNA VALLEY

Valtellin a Val
Camonica
Passo SAN SIMONE FOPPOLO Passo del
S. Marco VALBONDIONE Vivione
PIAZZA CARONA SCHILPARIO
CUSIO LIZZOLA
TORRE
ORNICA VILMINORE
BRANZI
VALT ORTA GROMO SPIAZZI
AZZONE
VALCANALE COLERE
OLMO AL
BREMBO ARDESIO Val
RONCOBELLO Passo della Camonica
OLTRE- Presolana
LENNA SENDA
OLTRE IL COLLE
VEDESETA TALEGGIO PONTE
S. GIOVANNI MONTE
Lecco Bianco NOSSA PORA
FUIPIANO P EGH CASTIONE
SERINA d. Presolana
ERA CLUS0NE
ROTA S. PELLEGRINO ONETA
Imagna Terme COLZATE GANDINO
GEROSA LOVERE
BREMBILLA BRACCA
COSTA ENDINE
Imagna ZO SELVINO
GN
VA O LEFFE
LC
AVA CENE Lago
SEDRINA Lago di
ALMENNO Endine d'Iseo
ALZANO L. GAVERINA
S. Salvatore VILLA
D'ALME' Terme MONASTEROLO
del Castello
SOTTO IL MONTE BERGAMO SARNICO Monte Isola
GIOVANNI XXIII TRESCORE
BALNEARIO
DALMINE

Malpaga
MILANO

MARTINENGO

ROMANO Rovato Brescia

TREVIGLIO CARAVAGGI O di Lombardia
MILANO Lodi VERO
Crema NA

32

T he gateways to the Imagna Valley
are the old and interesting towns
of Almenno and Clanezzo. Almenno
San Salvatore and San Bartolomeo
are situated on gentle, terraced hills at
an altitude of around 350 m. Clanezzo
lies lower down, at the exact conu-
ence of the Imagna torrent and the
River Brembo, in a landscape of me-
dieval legend, with cliffs, escarpments
and forests creeping over it; with the
centuries-old castle (now a restaurant)
and the towers, fortications that were
used to guard the bridges, where it
was once necessary to pay a toll; with
frescoes depicting armed warriors in
armour. One of the bridges was built at
the beginning of the last millennium,
at the behest of Attone Leuco. For
many decades, the locality was the the-
atre of bloody clashes between Guelfs
and Ghibellines. At Clanezzo, mention
should be made of the characteristic
footbridge, made from wood and iron
ropes, that connects the two banks of
the Brembo. A visit should also be paid
to the old drop forge on the course of
the Imagna, which seems like a house
belonging to the devil. In Almenno
San Salvatore, a visit is recommended
to the Madonna del Castello church,
which consists of three distinct build-
ings: the crypt, the old church and
the Renaissance church. The crypt
may date back to the Longobard era,
a period in which Almenno must have
been an extremely important town.
Testimonies of the Romanesque pe-
riod can also be found in the beautiful
Church of San Giorgio, with frescoes
depicting six centuries of history and
the oldest wall paintings in the Prov-
ince of Bergamo. A visit should also
be paid to the Convent of San Nicola
(now a restaurant), which was built in
the 15th century. At Almenno San Bar-
tolomeo, a visit is recommended to the
Rotunda of San Tom, a Romanesque
construction with a circular plan, built
in the 12th century. The parish church
houses works by Gian Battista Moroni,
Pietro Ricci, Bartolomeo Vivarini and
Cristoforo Caselli. Above Almenno we
nd the town of Roncola, which lies
on a plateau of Monte Albenza at an
altitude of 900 m. Roncola is one of
the most highly developed summer
resorts in the Province of Bergamo.
Above Roncola is the summit of the
Albenza (approximately 1,350 m) and
the Valcava Pass (1,250 m), with the
tiny hamlet of the same name, which
is now practically unpopulated. It of-
fers a magnicent view of the entire Po
Valley. We return to the Imagna Valley,
and after Strozza and Capizzone we
come to a road on the left that climbs
up to Costa Imagna (1,014 m - pop.
635), a well-developed tourist resort
that still preserves examples of the
characteristic constructions known as
stal, a dwelling linked to a stall and a
33
 hayloft with a large internal courtyard.
From Costa, excursions are possible to
the Valcava Pass, Monte Tesoro, the Al-
benza, the Pertus and to the Cornabusa
Cave, a sanctuary dedicated to the Ma-
donna. We descend once more and go
past Bedulita. On the right, a road leads
up to Berbenno (750 m - pop. 2,474),
one of the most highly populated towns
in the valley. Interesting archaeological
nds have been unearthed in the area,
particularly in the Bus del Cun cave:
these include human remains, jewelry
made from animal teeth and stone dag-
gers from the beginning of the Bronze
Age, approximately ve thousand years
ago. The area is also extremely rich in
fossils. At Berbenno, on top of a hill at
an altitude of one thousand metres, we
nd the oldest church in the Imagna
Valley; built in the 14th century, it is
dedicated to Saint Peter and houses a
canvas by Andrea Previtali, a native of
this town. We descend again on the
valley road, passing Ponte Giurino and
Selino Basso; we then take the fork that
leads to Corna Imagna, Locatello and
Fuipiano (1,019 m - pop. 233), the last
CLANEZZO BRIDGE
34
town in the valley. Fuipiano once stood
on the border between the Duchy of
Milan and the Republic of Venice. The
hamlet of Arnosto is extremely impor-
tant; here, it is still possible to admire
the original local rustic buildings that
are related to the constructions found
in the Taleggio Valley. The Venetian
small barrack stood in Arnosto and it is
possible to visit the little church, which
dates back to 1605. The present par-
ish church of Fuipiano (built in 1739)
houses numerous works of art by Gia-
como Francia, Francesco Quarenghi
and the Tiepolo school. There are also
some extremely valuable locally made
statuettes from the 15th century. Corna
Imagna (750 m - pop. 984) has numer-
ous hamlets, with paintings and san-
telle (painted shrines) on the walls,
which cover centuries of history. Here,
we can again see the characteristic
roofs constructed from the heavy local
stone. Locatello (557 m - pop. 800). An
interesting number of 15th- and 16th-
century frescoes are preserved in the
village, which are of great historical
as well as artistic value. On the other
fork of the valley we nd Rota Imagna
(700 m - pop. 883), with its two parts,
Rota Fuori and Rota Dentro. Extremely
important archaeological nds, dating
back to the Bronze Age, were unearthed
in the Tomba dei Polacchi (literally
the Tomb of the Poles). These nds
are currently preserved in the Museum
of Bergamo. Giacomo Quarenghi, the
celebrated architect and painter, was
born in Rota Fuori in 1744. A typi-
cal excursion from Rota Imagna is the
climb to the Resegone, the mountain
that overlooks the Lake Lecco. Another
walk leads to the Grotta dei Polacchi
(Cave of the Poles), the SantOmobono
springs, the Pertus and to the Corna-
busa Sanctuary. Beyond Rota Imagna,
at the head of the valley, stands Bru-
mano (913 m - pop. 99), on the slopes
of the Resegone; immersed in nature,
this little village has preserved its ar-
chaic characteristics, the essence of the
past that concords perfectly with the
 IMAGNA VALLEY

nature of the mountain. Walks are pos-

sible to the Resegone, to the Pallio Pass
(1,362 m), descending to Morterone in
the Boazzo Valley, to the Costa del Pallio
(1,480 m) and to Monte Serrada (1,875
m). Another branch of the Imagna Val-
ley is the one that leads to Valsecca, in a
vast basin (630 m - pop. 410). Valsecca is
home to the old Venetian gendarmerie.
The parish church dates back to the end
of the 15th century and contains works
CORNABUSA SANCTUARY
by Ceresa and Quarenghi. Next to it
is the Cappella del Crocisso (Chapel
of the Crucix), which houses a 17th- tola. The spa resorts star shone par-
century crucifix by Fra Giovanni da ticularly brightly in the second half of
Reggio. It is a place of prayer that has the 19th century. Skin and liver diseases
great signicance for the people of the were treated primarily. Today, the spa
valley. The feast is celebrated every ve resort is a cutting-edge complex. At
years, in the month of July. The road SantOmobono we also nd the valleys
continues, linking up with the road that most well-loved sanctuary, which is
descends from Costa Imagna, before also renowned outside the province: the
arriving at SantOmobono Terme, the Cornabusa Sanctuary, situated inside a
most important town in the area (450 cave and dedicated to the Madonna who
m - pop. 3,505). SantOmobono encom- supports the body of Christ. It was built
passes the hamlets of Cepino, Mazzo- gradually over the course of the centu-
leni, Selino Basso and Selino Alto. It ries, with work starting in the 1500s.
is renowned for its springs, including Numerous miracles have been attribut-
the main source, known as della Bet- ed to the Madonna of the Sanctuary.

FUIPIANO

35
 >)8':)
11;; 5
Albino, Alzano L., Gandino, Gazzaniga, Selvino
846,$
Alzano L., Gazzaniga ):'$6
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Albino, Casnigo, Vertova

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Selvino
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Albino, Alzano L., Colzate, Clusone, Fiorano,
Nembro, Vertova
Mills Valley
&4.,) .$0!6)
Regional Natural Park of the Orobie Prealps

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Alzano L., Selvino

Selvino
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Alzano L., Fiorano, Nembro

River Serio .$:(!64

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Selvino (minigolf)
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SERIANA
VALLEY
 SERIANA VALLEY

SELVINO

Valtellin a Val
Camonica
Passo SAN SIMONE FOPPOLO Passo del
S. Marco VALBONDIONE Vivione
PIAZZA CARONA SCHILPARIO
CUSIO LIZZOLA
TORRE
ORNICA VILMINORE
BRANZI
VALT ORTA GROMO SPIAZZI
AZZONE
VALCANALE COLERE
OLMO AL
BREMBO ARDESIO Val
RONCOBELLO Passo della Camonica
OLTRE- Presolana
LENNA SENDA
OLTRE IL COLLE
VEDESETA TALEGGIO PONTE
S. GIOVANNI MONTE
Lecco Bianco NOSSA PORA
FUIPIANO P EGH CASTIONE
SERINA d. Presolana
ERA CLUS0NE
ROTA S. PELLEGRINO ONETA
Imagna Terme COLZATE GANDINO
GEROSA LOVERE
BREMBILLA BRACCA
COSTA ENDINE
Imagna ZO SELVINO
GN
VA O LEFFE
LC
AVA CENE Lago
SEDRINA Lago di
ALMENNO Endine d'Iseo
ALZANO L. GAVERINA
S. Salvatore VILLA
D'ALME' Terme MONASTEROLO
del Castello
SOTTO IL MONTE BERGAMO SARNICO Monte Isola
GIOVANNI XXIII TRESCORE
BALNEARIO
DALMINE

Malpaga
MILANO

MARTINENGO

ROMANO Rovato Brescia

TREVIGLIO CARAVAGGI O di Lombardia
MILANO Lodi VERO
Crema NA

38

T he Seriana Valley traditionally
offers two great possibilities
for tourists: holidays in the moun-
tains and holidays in the hills. Moun-
tain holidays can be taken in the Up-
per Seriana Valley, where the towns
and villages lie at moderate heights
above sea level, i.e. around one thou-
sand metres, and where walks and
excursions swiftly lead to places that
are located at considerable altitudes:
the Upper Seriana Valley is home to
some of the Orobie Alps most daunt-
ing peaks, which exceed heights of
three thousand metres. The Lower
and Middle Seriana Valley offers gen-
tler landscapes, yet the climate is
cool and pleasant, making summer
tourism in the area an extremely
healthful experience. Several locali-
ties in the Lower and Middle Seriana
Valley boast an established tourist
tradition. These include Monte di
Nese, Lonno, the Lujo Valley and the
prestigious Selvino, which stands on
a thousand-metre-high plateau next
to Aviatico. We are still on the out-
skirts of Bergamo: the city is no
more than twenty kilometres away
from these localities, which can be
reached from the bottom of the val-
ley in just a few minutes. The lower
valley offers a delightful landscape
and still proffers various places of in-
terest. The terrain is hilly and com-
pletely covered in woodland; a green
and pleasant landscape, partly util-
ised by man for agricultural purpos-
es, where several slopes are terraced
and cultivated with vines and fruit
trees. The entrance to the lower val-
ley from the plain is natural, wide
and extremely easy to negotiate, un-
like the narrow and enclosed Brem-
bana Valley. The sentinels of the val-
ley are two remarkable peaks: the
1,146-metre-high Canto Alto, with
its steep and rocky summit, which is
surmounted by a towering cross, and
Monte Misma, a gently sloping
mountain shaped like a panettone
cake, which reaches an altitude of
1,160 metres. Both are extremely
pleasant destinations for excursions
and offer unforgettable views over
the Alps, the valley bottom and the
city. The Canto Alto dominates both
valleys, while from the Misma the
panorama encompasses the plain,
the Orobie chain and, in the opposite
direction, the Endine lake and Lake
Iseo, two small, blue pearls on the
provinces landscape. The green hills
of the lower Seriana Valley are com-
posed of sandstone, marly limestone
and clayey materials. Economic de-
velopment, based on small and me-
dium-sized industry and a ourish-
ing handicrafts sector, has brought
wealth and prosperity to this part of
the valley, where, as a consequence,
many interesting artistic works can
39
 also be found. We begin by speaking
of Alzano Lombardo (304 m - pop.
11,000), a municipality that lies just
six kilometres from Bergamo, but
which, nevertheless, boasts a highly
characteristic, centuries-old town
centre. Alzano is home to numerous
works of art, and is located at the
bottom of a delightful basin that
stretches uphill towards Monte di
Nese, a tiny hamlet that sits at an al-
titude of 800 metres amidst the
greenery of the pre-alpine hills.
Monte di Nese offers an enviable cli-
mate in the summer, as well as the
possibility of quiet and pleasant
40
walks through the forests and mead-
ows. It also benets from another
important advantage: it is only ve
kilometres from Alzano and twelve
kilometres from the centre of Ber-
gamo! It is therefore no surprise that
its number of inhabitants doubles
during the summer months. The ba-
sin that lies above Alzano Lombardo
is also home to several other beauti-
ful little localities, including the Bu-
che di Nese, deep pools of sky-blue
water formed by the Anesa torrent,
and the tiny hamlets of Burro and
Brumano. With regard to Nese, men-
tion should be made of the magni-
BASILICA OF SAN MARTINO
 SERIANA VALLEY

cent parish church, which contains

numerous works of art by Palma il
Giovane, Giampaolo Cavagna and
Carlo Ceresa, as well as paintings by
Antonio Cifrondi. More interesting
still is the hamlet of Olera, a verita-
ble gem that lies in the basin, where
it is dominated by the summit of the
Canto Alto. The village has preserved
many of its medieval characteristics:
narrow lanes, dark entranceways,
vaults and centuries-old stones.
Mention should also be made of the
parish church, which contains a
polyptych attributed to Cima da
Conegliano. At the bottom of the ba-
sin, Alzano Lombardo is denitely
worth a visit. The town lies in an im-
portant position from the point of
view of communications: until the
beginning of the 17th century, it was
the starting point of the mule tracks
that linked Bergamo and the Seriana
CHURCH OF BURRO
Valley to the Brembana Valley, climb-
ing as far as Miragolo and Selvino
before descending towards Zogno. In walls of the third sacristy we can ad-
the heart of the old town centre we mire the stalls realised by Giambat-
nd the Basilica of San Martino, a tista Caniana, with the help of his
church of early medieval origin that daughter, Caterina. The pilasters are
was completely renovated in the 17th the work of the Caniana family, and
century, according to a plan by the feature fruit, flowers and animals
architect Gerolamo Quadrio. It that are characteristic of the Berga-
houses paintings by Palma il Vec- mo area. The church offers numer-
chio, Tintoretto, Cavagna and Appi- ous other elements of interest, in-
ani. Among the important works cluding the treasury, a collection of
preserved in the building is a pulpit, sacred vestments and nely crafted
the result of a collaboration between silver furnishings that date back to
the Caniana family of Alzano and the between the 15th and 18th centuries.
workshop of Andrea Fantoni from These treasures have an inestimable
Rovetta. It is also necessary to men- value. Another interesting example
tion the three church sacristies. The of religious architecture in Alzano is
rst was realised by Grazioso Fanto- the little church of San Pietro,
ni and his son Andrea in around known as the Sanctuary of the Beata
1679. The vault of the second sacris- Vergine Addolorata (Sorrowful
ty features a fresco by Cifrondi, while Blessed Virgin), a gothic-style edice
on the side walls we can see the strik- dating back to the 15th century, with
ing wood carvings realised on three pointed arches and a coffered ceil-
wardrobes by Andrea Fantoni and ing. The centuries-old Palazzo Pe-
his workshop: in a relatively small landi has a beautiful faade; it was
space we can admire 31 medals with renovated in the 17th century and
116 angels, 57 martyrs, 78 putti and still preserves some interesting fres-
104 ornamental heads. On the side coes. Visits should also be made to

41
 the house of the Caniana family, to
Casa Carlessi, Casa Mottoni Mosca
and to the castle known as Il Gru-
mello at Nese, which is now a farm.
Travelling towards the Middle Valley,
we come to Nembro (309 m - pop.
11,000), to the left of which we nd
the road that climbs up to Selvino,
one of the most important tourist
resorts in the Bergamo area; it lies
close to both the provincial capital
and to Milan, at an altitude of 1,000
metres and at the beginning of a
pleasant plateau. But a separate sec-
tion will be dedicated to this area.
Further on, we arrive at Albino, a
town characterised by the presence
of numerous hamlets, several of
which are of considerable interest.
Mention should be made of the Lujo
Valley, with the little villages of Fiob-
bio, Vallalta, Abbazia and Casale that
lead to the Colle Gallo pass at 763 m,
which links the Seriana Valley and
the Cavallina Valley; beyond the Col-
le Gallo we nd Gaverina Terme (400
m - pop. 1,000), another important
local tourist resort. The Lujo Valley
is a gently sloping, green area with a
rather pastoral atmosphere. Of par-
ticular importance is the church of
Romanesque origin that is located in
the hamlet of Abbazia. Originally a
Benedictine Cistercian church, it
was founded in 1135 and renovated
over the course of the subsequent
centuries. Nevertheless, it still main-
tains its antique aura of profound
spiritualism. In the hamlet of Fiob-
bio, a visit should be paid to the little
church of the Trinit (Trinity), which
houses 15th-century frescoes. Fiob-
bio is a charming little village that
became rather well-known in recent
years due to the beatication of one
of its daughters, a young woman
named Pierina Morosini, who died in
the early 1950s. Above Vallalta we
nd the renowned Altino Sanctuary,
which was built after 1496 to com-
memorate a miracle that took place
there: a charcoal burners prayers to
42
SAN PATRIZIO
the Madonna caused water to gush
forth from the rock. The Lujo Valley
was once well-known in the Berga-
mo area for the production of bili-
gocc, smoked chestnuts that are
traditionally sold for the feast of
SantAntonio. In fact, the festival
known as the Sagra dei Biligocc is
still held every January in Vallalta.
Further up the Valley we come to
Cene (268 m - pop. 2,900); in 1973,
in an abandoned quarry near the
town, fossils were found belonging
to the oldest known ying reptile,
the pterosaur. The fossils date back
two hundred million years and are
now preserved in Bergamos Muse-
um of Natural Sciences. Cene marks
the beginning of the Rossa Valley, an
interesting pre-alpine vale, green
with forests and pastures, which
culminates at a pass known as the
Forcellino at 664 m. Further on, we
descend towards Bianzano and Ran-
zanico, the panorama sweeping over
the Endine Lake. On Monte Bo (707
m) we nd the Buco della Volpe (lit-
erally the Fox Hole), a striking
cave that is often visited by pothol-
ers. Gazzaniga, Fiorano, Vertova
and Colzate are the four central
 SERIANA VALLEY

towns of the Seriana Valley; beyond

them, the Upper Seriana Valley be-
gins. In this area, mention should be
made of the splendid natural zone of
the Vertova Valley, carved out over
the millennia by the Vertova torrent,
a crystal-clear waterway that forms,
along its course, the magnificent
pools known as the Marmitte dei Gi-
ganti (Giants Pots). The gentle,
well-kept path that runs through
the valley arrives at an altitude of
1,200 metres on the slopes of Monte
Alben (2,020 m), the rst real, strik-
ing mountain of the Orobie Prealps,
with rocks and peaks that are out-
lined against the sunset when seen
from the Upper Seriana Valley, and
against the dawn when observed
from the Brembana Valley. Vertova
is an extremely interesting place
from an architectural and historical
point of view. It still preserves nu-
merous medieval buildings: the
tower house in Piazza Castello, the
Paganessi fortied house, the tower
in Via Santa Caterina, which is now
the post ofce, and so on. The com-
plex of the ex-convent, Casa Guerini
and Casa Donini are all from the Ba-
roque period of the 17th century. An-
other important place to visit is the
historic centre of Semonte, which
dates back to the 15th century. In the
area, we can also nd the ex-Con-
vent with the Church of San Pa-
trizio, perched on a steep crag above
the River Serio, with its characteris-
tic arches. A mention should also be
made of Orezzo, which lies above
Gazzaniga (600 m), in a panoramic
position: Orezzo is a holiday desti-
nation during the summer months.
From the village, it is possible to
reach the Selvino Plateau, via a
beautiful, narrow road that winds
through the pre-alpine hills. In this
area, there are also important ex-
amples of industrial archaeology,
which can be found from Alzano on-
wards, and which are at times rather
striking. VERTOVA VALLEY WATERFALL

43
Gandino

Gazzaniga
Rossa Valley, Monte Sparavera,
Locality of Monte dAvena-Montagnina, Monte Farno, Cross

Cazzano, Gandino, Leffe, Peia

Gandino, Leffe

Gandino
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Gandino
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Casnigo

Gandino, Leffe

Gandino

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GANDINO
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VALLEY
 GANDINO VALLEY

VALPIANA DI GANDINO

T o the east of Vertova lies a valley

of considerable economic, artistic
and touristic importance: the Gandino
Valley. Renowned for its textile industries
since the Middle Ages, the valley has re-
tained this characteristic over the course
of the centuries. The valley became fa-
mous for the production of panno grosso
bergamasco, an extraordinary coarse ma-
terial that was both warm and extremely
hard-wearing, and which was utilised,
among other things, to equip the troops
of various European countries. In the
20th century, it was the birthplace of sev-
eral major textile companies that went
on to be internationally successful. The
industrial capital of the old land of wool-
len fabrics is Leffe, while Gandino is the
richest town in terms of art and history.
Other towns in the valley include Peia,

46

Cazzano SantAndrea and Casnigo. The
history of the valley is represented above
all by the municipality of Gandino (552 m
- pop. 5,550), which preserves documents
dating back to the year 830. The old town
centre is one of the most striking in the
whole province. It has numerous palaz-
zos and churches, as well as several tow-
ers. We can see the 15th-century Palazzo
del Vicario (Vicars Palazzo), now the
town hall, with its portico, as well as the
cloister of the retirement home, formerly
a hospital and convent of the Franciscan
Friars. Casa Franchina, Palazzo Ongaro-
Frana and Casa Caccia all date back to
the 16th century. Palazzo Giovanelli was
built in 1600, while the artistic faade
and the gateway were added in 1648: the
faade features thirteen large windows
with wrought-metal gratings. The Palaz-
GANDINO VALLEY
zo del Salone della Valle is also from the
Baroque period. Other houses and palaz-
zos can be found in the various streets of
the towns historic centre. The Baroque
Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta, which
stands in a small piazza in the centre
of the town, is an extremely important
building from the point of view of reli-
gious art. Work began on the edice in
around 1100, but it was rebuilt in 1420
and nally transformed in 1649, accord-
ing to a plan by the architect Gian Maria
Bettera from Peia. The faade is made of
local stone, the baptistery dates back to
1565, the bronze balustrade is from 1590
and the confessionals are by Giambattista
Caniana and the Fantoni family. The ex-
ternal baptistery, the recent work of Luigi
Angelini, houses a baptismal font from
the year 1500. Also of note is the Basilica
Museum, which was inaugurated in 1929,
then renovated in the early 1960s. Its col-
lection includes Flemish tapestries, por-
traits of Gandinos most distinguished
citizens from the 16th century to the
present day, old tools for working wool,
historical parchments, a velvet antepen-
dium from the 15th century and another
in gold brocade with the monogram of
the Emperor Maximilian (16th century).
The Gandino Valley offers pleasant walks
from its towns to destinations such as the
Conca del Farno (Farno Basin), the Pizzo
Formico (Formico Peak), Monte Foga-
rolo, Monte Pizzetto, the Piana Valley and
the Monte Sovere, from where you can
descend towards Lake Iseo. A visit should
also be paid to the Santuario della Trinit
(Sanctuary of the Trinity), which repre-
sents a patrimony of exceptional impor-
tance due to its architecture and frescoes.
The church, from the 15th century, was
enlarged a century later and contains
frescoes from that period. On the presby-
tery arch, a painting depicts the Universal
Judgement with dramatic and prominent
strokes. The last note regarding the val-
ley: the interesting unused industrial
buildings, which represent an architec-
tural heritage; an example of a culture
and of a manufacturing society that have
now been left behind.
47
 3"))
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Zinc and lead mines remains

Regional Natural Park of the Orobie Prealps

Oneta

Riso torrent

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RISO
VALLEY
 RISO VALLEY

ONETA, SANCTUARY

Valtellin a Val
Camonica
Passo SAN SIMONE FOPPOLO Passo del
S. Marco VALBONDIONE Vivione
PIAZZA CARONA SCHILPARIO
CUSIO LIZZOLA
TORRE
ORNICA VILMINORE
BRANZI
VALT ORTA GROMO SPIAZZI
AZZONE
VALCANALE COLERE
OLMO AL
BREMBO ARDESIO Val
RONCOBELLO Passo della Camonica
LENNA OLTRE- Presolana
OLTRE IL COLLE ONETA SENDA
VEDESETA TALEGGIO PONTE
S. GIOVANNI GORNO NOSSA MONTE
Lecco Bianco PORA
FUIPIANO P EGH CASTIONE
SERINA d. Presolana
ERA CLUS0NE
ROTA S. PELLEGRINO ONETA
Imagna Terme COLZATE GANDINO
GEROSA LOVERE
BREMBILLA BRACCA
COSTA ENDINE
Imagna ZO SELVINO
GN
VA O LEFFE
LC
AVA CENE Lago
SEDRINA Lago di
ALMENNO Endine d'Iseo
ALZANO L. GAVERINA
S. Salvatore VILLA
D'ALME' Terme MONASTEROLO
del Castello
SOTTO IL MONTE BERGAMO SARNICO Monte Isola
GIOVANNI XXIII TRESCORE
BALNEARIO
DALMINE

Malpaga
MILANO

MARTINENGO

ROMANO Rovato Brescia

TREVIGLIO CARAVAGGI O di Lombardia
MILANO Lodi VERO
Crema NA

50

T he Riso Valley opens up at the
mouth of the Upper Seriana
Valley, climbing away to the left. It is
traversed by the Riso torrent, where
water always ows abundantly, and
faces the east wall of the Alben, with
its dramatic, overhanging rocks. The
Riso Valley climbs upwards for ap-
proximately fteen kilometres until
it reaches the Colle di Zambla, a 1,260
metre-high pass that connects the
Upper Seriana Valley and the Serina
Valley, which then opens onto the
Brembana Valley. The Riso Valley
has a green, enchanting landscape,
rich in beech and r woods. In the
rst part of the valley the landscape
is relatively vast and at; then, after
the junction for Chignolo and Gorno,
the road starts to climb noticeably,
though the slopes of the mountains
remain in the distance, resulting in
a wide-open panorama. We pass only
two small towns, Gorno (475 m - pop.
2,100) and Oneta (740 m - pop. 800),
as well as numerous little hamlets.
The valley has a total population of
approximately 3,000 inhabitants. The
groups of houses are neat and well-
kept. Particular mention should be
made of the little church square in
Oneta, with its scaled-down spaces
and Lilliput-esque proportions. Be-
fore the discovery of tourism, the
valleys economy depended partly on
livestock breeding, partly on emi-
gration, but primarily on hard work
in the mines. From Roman times
onwards, numerous zinc and lead
mines were worked in the Riso Val-
ley. The tunnels still exist to this day,
along with the remains of the miners
shacks, furnaces and mineral wash-
ing plants. In this area, it is obviously
possible to nd interesting miner-
als and fossils, especially near the
Alben, and those who love walking
may see deer in the woods, or cham-
ois at higher altitudes. There are also
hedgehogs, foxes and badgers. To con-
clude our description of this enchant-
ing and unspoiled valley, we should
mention the Madonna del Frassino
Sanctuary; situated on a knoll on the
slopes of Monte Alben, it was built fol-
lowing the apparition of the Madonna
on 2 July, 1501. A magnicent ash
tree (frassino in Italian) stood at
the exact point of the manifestation,
and was cut down to make way for
the sanctuary. The little church has
a nave and two aisles and preserves
numerous works of art from the 16th
century, including a large polyptych
by Gerolamo da Santacroce. Various
festivals take place during the course
of the year, the most important being
the Sagra, which is celebrated on the
third Sunday of July. An auction takes
place in which devotees bid for the
right to carry the statue of the Ma-
donna during the procession.
51
Castione, Clusone, Onore, Valbondione

Albani, Alpe Corte, Baita Cernello, Brunone, Coca, Con-

soli, Cur, F.lli Calvi, Magnolini, S. Maria in Leten
Castione, Clusone, Gromo '"9* /

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Castione, Clusone, Gromo,
Rovetta, Valbondione
Castione, Clusone, Gromo
Valbondione
Ardesio, Castione, Clusone,
Fiorano, Gromo, Rovetta
Fantoni House Museum in Rovetta, Drop Forge Museum
at Ponte Nossa, History - Ethnographical - Religious
Museum in Ardesio
River Serio waterfalls (scheduled opening)

Polenta and birds , polenta and roe, casonsei, salumi

Clusone

Clusone

Aviatico, Castione, Cornagera (free climbing)

+*!#5#!"5

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#159

Ardesio, Castione, Clusone, Gandellino, Gromo, Oltressenda,

Parre, Rovetta, Songavazzo, Valbondione +*!'*7*!% 2=;; 6
Castione, Clusone

River Serio:
Acqualina, Bondiole, Borlezza, Nesa, Valgoglio, Valzurio torrents
Castione, Valbondione

Castione

Clusone

Spiazzi di Gromo

Sedornia valley
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UPPER SERIANA
VALLEY
 UPPER SERIANA VALLEY

ARDESIO

Valtellin a Val
Camonica
Passo SAN SIMONE FOPPOLO Passo del
S. Marco VALBONDIONE Vivione
PIAZZA CARONA SCHILPARIO
CUSIO LIZZOLA
TORRE
ORNICA VILMINORE
BRANZI
VALT ORTA GROMO SPIAZZI
AZZONE
VALCANALE COLERE
OLMO AL
BREMBO ARDESIO Val
RONCOBELLO Passo della Camonica
OLTRE- Presolana
LENNA SENDA
OLTRE IL COLLE
VEDESETA TALEGGIO PONTE
S. GIOVANNI MONTE
Lecco Bianco NOSSA PORA
FUIPIANO P EGH CASTIONE
SERINA d. Presolana
ERA CLUS0NE
ROTA S. PELLEGRINO ONETA
Imagna Terme COLZATE GANDINO
GEROSA LOVERE
BREMBILLA BRACCA
COSTA ENDINE
Imagna ZO SELVINO
GN
VA O LEFFE
LC
AVA CENE Lago
SEDRINA Lago di
ALMENNO Endine d'Iseo
ALZANO L. GAVERINA
S. Salvatore VILLA
D'ALME' Terme MONASTEROLO
del Castello
SOTTO IL MONTE BERGAMO SARNICO Monte Isola
GIOVANNI XXIII TRESCORE
BALNEARIO
DALMINE

Malpaga
MILANO

MARTINENGO

ROMANO Rovato Brescia

TREVIGLIO CARAVAGGI O di Lombardia
MILANO Lodi VERO
Crema NA

54

T he Upper Seriana Valley opens out
at Ponte Nossa and immediately
branches off into two large areas near
Ponte Selva: on one side we have the Up-
per Seriana Valley proper, with Villa
dOgna, Piario, Oltressenda, Ardesio,
Valgoglio, Gromo, Gandellino and Val-
bondione, the last town, which lies fty
kilometres from Bergamo. On the other
side, climbing away to the right, is the
Clusone Plateau, and then the Presola-
na Basin with the Borlezza Valley. Sepa-
rating these two vast areas is a double
ridge of mountains, which culminate in
the Presolana massif. With the Upper
Seriana Valley we pass from hill holi-
days to out-and-out mountain tourism.
The various towns and hamlets do not
lie at particularly high altitudes (i.e. be-
tween 600 and 1,200 metres), but the
landscape is dominated by rocks and
mountains that reach heights of 3,000
metres. The rst part of the upper valley
is embodied by the basin of Ponte Nossa,
where the landscape can be described as
both hilly and mountainous. Premolo,
for example, lies in green and hilly sur-
roundings; a pleasant little town of ap-
proximately 1,000 inhabitants with nu-
merous small hamlets. A little further
on we find Parre, which is set on a
small, sun-soaked plateau. Parre (640 m
- pop. 2,500) boasts a thriving economy
based on handicrafts and industry. It
was once an extremely important sheep-
farming town, and the practice is still
very much alive today. The towns cus-
toms reect a deep-rooted concept of
the past, and many traditional activities
still take place. Over the last decade,
several interesting discoveries have
been made in the locality of Castello:
archaeologists have unearthed numer-
ous nds dating back to the Bronze Age
and the perimeter walls of an ancient
settlement, leading them to surmise
that Parre may have been the capital of
the ancient Celtic people known as the
Orobi. Above Parre, we should mention
the small church dedicated to the Trin-
ity, with its distinctive portico. At Ponte
Nossa, tourists are advised to visit the
Nossana Valley with its characteristic
drop forges, whose work is documented
in the museum situated next to the
course of the torrent. We climb up
alongside the River Serio, which ows
abundantly at this point and offers scen-
ery of intense beauty, its banks lined
with r trees. On our left, we will see the
little town of Piario, which borders the
great pinewood of Clusone, and then
Villa dOgna (Ognas little piazza is a
veritable gem). Higher up, a splendid
little valley opens out before us, framing
a handful of old houses belonging to the
hamlets of Nasolino and, further on,
Valzurio: the two localities form the
town of Oltressenda Alta. We then ar-
rive at Ardesio, the most highly popu-
lated town in this branch of the valley.
The historic centre is extremely inter-
55
 esting, with the Oratory of San Pietro,
the Caniana parish church and the Ma-
donna delle Grazie Sanctuary, the des-
tination of a devout pilgrimage on the
feast day, 22 June. The municipality of
Ardesio encompasses by one of the Se-
rios side valleys, which is among the
most striking in the entire province, its
beauty in no way inferior to the austere
dolomitic panoramas. This is the Valca-
nale, carved by the Acqualina torrent, a
wide valley surrounded by high moun-
tains of dolomite rock, whose r-cov-
ered slopes rise to the edge of the crags,
the dramatic ridges soaring up like a
wave of stones above the numerous
hamlets that are scattered throughout
the area. These tiny localities are well
worth a visit: you will discover a unique
world with a distinct antique avour,
parts of which are unpopulated and der-
elict. The most important hamlet is Val-
canale itself. Above the ski lifts we nd a
footpath, which winds along a splendid
route and through a forest, as far as a
large plateau at 1,450 metres, which
leads to the Alpe Corte Refuge. Valca-
nale marks the beginning of the charm-
ing Orobie Prealps Path, an eight-stage,
80 kilometre route that leads to some of
the most inaccessible and seductive
places in the Orobie Alps. We now re-
turn to the bottom of the valley. After
Ardesio, the valley narrows and be-
GROMO
56
comes rather dark, with the Serio run-
ning between the rocks. After crossing
the Ponte Nuovo bridge, we suddenly
come to a vast, wide open space, at the
centre of which stands the centuries-
old town of Gromo, renowned for its
medieval centre, perhaps the most im-
portant one of its kind in the Bergamo
mountains. This little town (pop. 1,300)
denitely deserves a visit. Its little piaz-
za with the Ginami Castle and the
Palazzo Comunale (Town Hall), dating
back to the 14th and 15th centuries re-
spectively, leaves a lasting impression
on visitors. The medieval centre is com-
pleted by its high houses and narrow
lanes.TheParrocchiale(ParishChurch)
is an artistic gem, which in its present
form still features Romanesque ele-
ments that have been superimposed by
subsequent works. Inside, it is possible
to admire 15th-century frescoes, the
16th-century baptistery with numerous
other frescoes and a wooden altar by the
Fantoni family. Several of Gromos
hamlets are worth a visit, including Ri-
pa Alta, the starting point of the ancient
Roman mule track that led to the Por-
tula Pass before descending into the
Brembana Valley and, on the opposite
side, the hamlet of Boario, a tiny old
farming village edged by dense r woods
that climb as far as the pastures of Mon-
te Timogno. Valgoglio (929 m - pop.
600) can be found at a higher altitude
than the other towns; it lies in a sunlit
position, on a gentle slope amid pas-
tures and woods that descend from
Monte Agnone. Valgoglio is the starting
point for spectacular excursions to Sel-
va dAgnone, the Sanguigno Valley, the
lakes area (Nero Lake, Aviasco Lake,
Succotto Lake...) and the Cernello Ref-
uge, at an altitude of approximately
2,000 metres. Back in the town, a visit
should be paid to the parish church, the
walls of which are completely covered
with frescoes from the 15th and 16th cen-
turies. Also of interest are the hamlets
of Novazza and Colarete; in the latter we
nd the little Church of San Michele,
which is also completely frescoed, and

which features an extremely beautiful
coffered ceiling dating back to the 16th
century. The penultimate town in the
valley is Gandellino (682 m - pop.
1,100), with the large hamlet of Gromo
San Marino. This little town is situated
in a lovely part of the valley. It is the
starting point for numerous, beautiful
walks, which lead, in one direction, to
the Sedornia Valley and, in the other, to
the little lakes of Cardeto. Beyond Gan-
dellino we nd the municipality of Val-
bondione (750 m - pop. 1,700), the last
town in the valley. Just before the
town we nd the characteristic ham-
let of Fiumenero, the starting point of
a footpath that leads to the Brunone
Refuge at 2,295 m, before continuing
on to the summit of the Pizzo Redorta
at 3,038 m. We are now in the heart of
the alpine kingdom, with its history, its
shepherds and its wild animals, which
move among the rocks. From the town
of Valbondione, a mule track leads to
the beautiful little hamlet of Maslana, a
30 minute walk; and a little further on,
several times a year, it is possible to en-
joy the spectacle of the Serio waterfall, a
315 metre-high cascade with three ma-
jestic drops. Valbondione marks the be-
ginning of several footpaths that lead to
striking alpine valleys, where the vari-
ous outposts are the only evidence of
mans existence: it is possible to reach
the Coca Refuge (1,892 m) and the Cur
Refuge (1,915 m). From these refuges,
it is possible to climb up towards small
alpine lakes, valleys and the highest
peaks in the Orobie Alps, such as the
Pizzo di Coca (3,050 m), the Scais (3,038
m) and the Gleno, with its little glacier.
One of Valbondiones most important
hamlets is Lizzola (1,250 m - pop. 300),
at the bottom of a large amphitheatre of
mountains where important ski lifts
can be found. We leave the area known
as the Upper Seriana Valley and enter
the Clusone plateau. A separate section
will be dedicated to this town. Other
towns on the plateau include Rovetta
(660 m - pop. 2,100), the home of the
renowned Fantoni family, sculptors and
UPPER SERIANA VALLEY
ALPE CORTE REFUGE
artists who worked with wood and later
with marble; active from the 15th cen-
tury onwards, their residence was
transformed into an extremely inter-
esting house museum. Pleasantly situ-
ated amongst the greenery of the pla-
teau, the hamlet of San Lorenzo is an
old farming village where livestock
breeding is still practised. The munici-
pality of Fino del Monte (700 m - pop.
820) borders with Rovetta and is divid-
ed from it by a short bridge. Before
climbing any further, we turn right in-
to the Borlezza Valley, in which we nd
the towns of Songavazzo and Cerete:
the valley then descends as far as So-
vere and ows into Lake Iseo. In Cerete
Alto, it is still possible to admire pieces
of centuries-old art, such as the fres-
coes in the Marinoni Chapel and the
Crucixion in one of the towns piazzas.
In Cerete Basso, a visit should be paid
to the old mill, where grain is still
ground with stone millstones, which
are turned by a large wheel driven by
the stream. We are now in the Presola-
na Basin, with the towns of Castione
della Presolana (870 m - pop. 2,800)
and Onore (700 m - pop. 700). The Ba-
sin climbs up as far as the Presolana
Pass, through a vast, green landscape of
pastures and forests where the sun
shines all day long. It can come as no
surprise that this charming place was
voted the leading mountain holiday
destination in the Province of Berga-
mo. We shall speak of Castione della
Presolana later on.
57
 957
Schilpario

Albani, Cima Bianca, Tagliaferri

957.% $!%75
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Clusone

V Valley

Regional Natural Park of the Orobie Prealps

Schilpario

Schilpario, Vilminore

Colere, Schilpario, Vilminore

Azzone, Colere, Schilpario, Vilminore

Schilpario, Vilminore, Azzone, Colere

Via Mala Ravine

Schilpario
Pelacor: cold polenta boiled with milk. Local cheese
and salumi, formaggella (soft cheese) of the Scalve Valley,
Casonsei, Scarpinoc, Donkey stew, San Bartolomeo Cake
.%,%75

Colere, Schilpario, Vilminore

Three Lords Peak, Devils Peak
Branchino and Publino Pass
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SCALVE
VALLEY
 SCALVE VALLEY

CAMPELLI DI SCHILPARIO

Valtellin a Val
Camonica
Passo SAN SIMONE FOPPOLO Passo del
S. Marco VALBONDIONE Vivione
PIAZZA CARONA SCHILPARIO
CUSIO LIZZOLA
TORRE
ORNICA VILMINORE
BRANZI
VALT ORTA GROMO SPIAZZI
AZZONE
VALCANALE COLERE
OLMO AL
BREMBO ARDESIO Val
RONCOBELLO Passo della Camonica
OLTRE- Presolana
LENNA SENDA
OLTRE IL COLLE
VEDESETA TALEGGIO PONTE
S. GIOVANNI MONTE
Lecco Bianco NOSSA PORA
FUIPIANO P EGH CASTIONE
SERINA d. Presolana
ERA CLUS0NE
ROTA S. PELLEGRINO ONETA
Imagna Terme COLZATE GANDINO
GEROSA LOVERE
BREMBILLA BRACCA
COSTA ENDINE
Imagna ZO SELVINO
GN
VA O LEFFE
LC
AVA CENE Lago
SEDRINA Lago di
ALMENNO Endine d'Iseo
ALZANO L. GAVERINA
S. Salvatore VILLA
D'ALME' Terme MONASTEROLO
del Castello
SOTTO IL MONTE BERGAMO SARNICO Monte Isola
GIOVANNI XXIII TRESCORE
BALNEARIO
DALMINE

Malpaga
MILANO

MARTINENGO

ROMANO Rovato Brescia

TREVIGLIO CARAVAGGI O di Lombardia
MILANO Lodi VERO
Crema NA

60

T he most striking alpine val-
ley in the Province of Ber-
gamo opens up beyond the Preso-
lana Pass, a landscape of wild, un-
touched and varied beauty. A vast
area, where just four small towns
have sprung up over the course
of the centuries and which is now
home to a total of approximately
4,500 people.
For centuries, the economy of
these towns was based on mining,
historical evidence of which can
be seen in the museum at Schil-
pario. There are dozens of iron
ore and barite mines. On one side,
the Scalve Valley is dominated by
the rocks and dramatic cliffs of the
Presolana, while on the other it is
closed in by the dolomitic peaks of
the Pizzo Camino (2,491 m), with
its needles and pinnacles that are
reminiscent of witches castles, and
by the Cimon della Bagozza (2,409
m), the Campelli Pass (1,892 m),
the Vivione Pass (1,828 m), and by
the black walls of Monte Venerocolo
(2,590 m) and Monte Gleno (2,882
m). The Scalve Valley can be ac-
cessed via two carriageable roads:
the one that descends from the
Presolana Pass, and the one known
as the Via Mala, which climbs up
from Boario Terme. A link with the
Valcamonica is also guaranteed by
the road that runs from Azzone to
Borno before descending to the
outskirts of Breno. The Vivione
Pass is also practicable in the ne
weather season. The last town in
the valley, at the beginning of the
climb that leads to the Vivione Pass,
is Schilpario (1,124 m - pop. 1,300),
which lies 66 kilometres from Ber-
gamo and is the furthest corner of
the province. It boasts a rich his-
tory of tourism, being perhaps one
of the rst towns to systematically
accommodate numerous holiday-
makers from the beginning of the
last century onwards. The nature
offered by these localities is beyond
compare: peace, quiet, greenery,
walks, the possibility of practising
sports and a rhythm of life made to
measure for humankind are typi-
cal of Schilpario and, indeed, of the
whole Scalve Valley. The town has
an extremely interesting ethno-
graphical museum, which offers a
wealth of material. It is set up inside
the building that housed the mill-
ing machines and the drop forge,
which were powered by paddles
driven by the water of the Dezzo
torrent. Numerous excursions are
possible from Schilpario for hik-
ing and mountaineering aciona-
dos (the Vo Valley, the Venerocolo
little lakes, the Pizzo Camino, the
Cimon della Bagozza, etc.), but also
61
 for mushroom hunters (the valleys
porcini are famous) and for sh-
ing enthusiasts, in the torrents and
lakes. During the winter, Schilpario
offers one of the best cross-country
ski trails in the whole of northern
Italy.
Throughout the centuries, Vilmi-
nore di Scalve (1,019 m - pop.
1,800), has played the role of a
small capital in the valley; today,
its economy is still based in part on
livestock breeding and on cheese
production. Mention should be
made of Scalves Latteria Sociale,
a dairy that manufactures a host of
mouth-watering products. There
are many interesting things to
see in Vilminores historic centre,
particularly the Palazzo Pretorio
(Praetorian Palace), a building
that dates back to the 14th century.
Vilminore offers numerous walks,
including a climb to the remains
VILMINORE of the Gleno Dam, the scene of the
tragedy of 1923, one to the Manina
Pass from the hamlet of Nona, and
another to the Tagliaferri Refuge
(2,320 m). Colere, a summer holi-
day and winter sports resort, is
situated on the slopes of the north
wall of the Presolana, in the Middle
Scalve Valley, in a setting of strik-
ing, austere beauty. In the summer,
Colere gives you the opportunity
to experience every aspect of the
mountain: trekking on tradition-
al trails and on the Orobie path,
climbing on the vie storiche (his-
toric routes), the oppressive beauty
of the Spigolo Nord (North Ridge),
exploring the mountain pastures.
Colere provides all this and much
more, completing its offer with tra-
ditional activities such as tennis,
football, quiet walks and outings.
The recently established Presolana
Mining Ecomuseum features fos-
sils and minerals, as well as old
tools and machines that were used
for mining work. On the other side
AZZONE of the valley, in a sunny location,

62

we nd Azzone (973 m - pop. 500),
the smallest town in the Scalve Val-
ley, with 500 inhabitants divided
between the hamlets of Dosso and
Dezzo. The presence of the Gio-
vetto Reserve and of the new wood
museum, which has been set up in
the old Furf sawmills, underlines
PRESOLANA
SCALVE VALLEY
the importance of the forests and
wood in the Azzone area.
In all three localities, the holi-
daymaker can experience the in-
tense atmosphere of the mountain,
which stems from the rocks, the
stone walls of the houses and from
the expressions of the local people.
63
CAVALLINA VALLEY UPPER SEBINO

Casazza, Trescore Riva di Solto

Trescore Magnolini
v v
v
v v v
v v
Gaverina Terme Lovere

Grone, Ranzanico, Trescore Lovere

Grone, Trescore Costa Volpino, Lovere

Casazza, Endine, Monasterolo, Spinone, Trescore Riva di Solto, Lovere, Solto Collina

The Tadini Academy In Lovere

Monasterolo, Spinone Spring of cold sulphureous mineral water

(Tuf valley)
Lake sh Berta Fauna Reserve, Valle del Freddo
(The Cold Valley)
Casazza, Endine, Grone, Monasterolo, Ranzanico, Spinone
Trescore Lovere

Regional Natural Reserves of Valle del freddo Lovere

(The Cold Valley) and Valpredina
Trescore
Costa Volpino
Spinone al lago
Costa Volpino, Lovere
Spinone

Lovere (Rowing and Rafting)

Bossico, Costa Volpino, Lovere, Riva di Solto

Lovere
Rice and turnip,
Bernia (dehydrated mutton), lake sh
Bossico, Casto, Costa Volpino, Fonteno,
Lovere, Riva di Solto, Solto Collina

Lovere (free climbing)

LOWER SEBINO

Predore, Sarnico Sarnico, Vigolo

Sarnico Endine-Iseo Zones, Colli di San Fermo,

Basso e Colle Giogo, Lake Iseo
Regional Natural Park of the Oglio north-side Sarnico

Predore, Sarnico Tavernola, Parzanica

Sarnico Sarnico

Adrara S. Martino, Predore, Sarnico, Tavernola Chiuduno

Predore

Sarnico

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THE LAKES
bolzano
 THE LAKES

LAKE ISEO AND MONTE ISOLA

T ourism in the Province of Ber-

gamo is not conned solely to
the mountains; holidays may also be
taken on the shores of several splen-
did lakes, vast expanses of fresh water
that stretch out between the Orobie
Prealps. We begin with the charming
Endine Lake in the Cavallina Valley, a
delightful stretch of water with an
elongated form that is typical of pre-
alpine lakes of glacial origin. Approx-
imately ve kilometres long, with a
maximum width of 700 metres and a
minimum width of 100 metres, it has
no important tributary but is fed by
torrents from the side valleys. Its ef-
uent is the River Cherio. The end of
the Endine Lake marks the begin-
ning of the small but picturesque Ga-
iano Lake, which is 200 metres long

66

and 100 metres wide. Before the En-
dine Lake, we nd the towns of Casaz-
za and Gaverina Terme (500 m pop.
831). The former is the home of the
Museum of Valle Cavallina, which
studies the relationship between
man and the environment through-
out the history of the valley. Gaverina
is composed of four hamlets: Fonti,
Trate, Gaverina and Piano. In addi-
tion to the important springs, the
municipality is also home to the 14th-
century Suardi tower, which is locat-
ed in the hamlet of Piano. Climbing
further up we reach the Colle Gallo at
753 metres, then the Lujo Valley and
the Seriana Valley. Nearby, we nd
the Colle Gallo Sanctuary with the
Madonna dei ciclisti (Madonna of Cy-
clists) Museum. After Gaverina and
Casazza we come to Spinone, where
the Endine Lake begins. At Spinone
al Lago there are several lakeside
beaches, cane thickets and restau-
rants, as well as opportunities for
boat trips and shing. In the town a
visit should be made to the small
church of San Pietro in Vincoli,
which dates back to the 11th century.
The church was slightly enlarged in
around 1420. Of particular interest
are the frescoes in the presbytery de-
picting prophets and sibyls, which
draw inspiration from the painting of
Lorenzo Lotto. At Spinone we also
nd the renowned San Carlo Springs,
where San Carlo Borromeo is said to
have sought refreshment during his
visit in 1575. Climbing up the Tuf
Valley, we reach a delightful setting
that is home to an extremely well-
known spring, which yields cold, sul-
phureous mineral water. On the op-
posite side of the lake to Spinone we
nd Monasterolo del Castello. The
Endine Lake has this unique charac-
teristic: wherever you look, you will
be rewarded with beautiful views,
which encompass natural land-
scapes, lakeside villages and fortied
structures. At Monasterolo, it is im-
possible not to stop at the medieval
castle, which dates back to the 13th
century but has been enriched by
various 16th and 17th-century addi-
tions. In the Parish Church of the
Santissimo Salvatore (Most Holy
Saviour) we nd works by Carpinoni,
Sanz and Andrea Fantoni. Climbing
up from the left bank, we come to the
town of Endine Gaiano (380 m pop.
2,800). The town offers the beautiful
little Church of San Remigio, which
houses works by Carpinoni. A route
that follows the course of the Ferro
Valley (literally The Iron Valley)
torrent, on the other hand, leads to a
peaceful locality with a picnic area and
a tness trail. Mention should also be
made of the other towns that overlook
the lake: Ranzanico and Bianzano.
Both preserve important traces of
67
 their long history. The 15th-century
Oratory of San Bernardino stands in
Ranzanico, while in Bianzano we nd
the14th-century Suardi Castle. Those
who nd themselves in the vicinity of
the Endine Lake and Lake Iseo should
visit the Freddo Valley (literally The
Cold Valley), a protected area that
offers spectacular nature. The valley
stretches along the slope that de-
scends towards Riva di Solto at ap-
proximately 400 metres above sea
level; it is home to high mountain
vegetation due to the cold air that
emerges from the substratum. Here,
it is even possible to nd rhododen-
drons and edelweiss, not to mention
some veritable rarities. It should be
considered that the ground tempera-
ture rarely exceed 4-5 degrees, even
during the summer. The area is pro-
tected, but guided tours are available.
After Endine, we enter the vast basin
of the Sebino, where we nd Lake
BOSSICO, MAGNOLINI REFUGE Iseo, which is surrounded by tower-
ing peaks. The lake is fed by the River
Oglio; it boasts a maximum depth of
251 metres, a width of two and a half
kilometres and a perimeter of ap-
proximately sixty kilometres. At its
centre stands the largest lake island
in Europe: Monte Isola, a veritable
green gem scattered with tiny dis-
tricts and sober aristocratic villas.
Lake Iseo is an extremely important
holiday destination, which offers
bathing, boating, windsurfing and
shing; there is also the possibility to
enjoy walks, and to sample the peace
and quiet of the localities that lie be-
tween the lake and the green of the
mountains. The lake is divided, with
shores in the provinces of both Bres-
cia and Bergamo. In the Province of
Bergamo, the main towns that over-
look the lake are Lovere, Castro, Riva
di Solto, Tavernola, Predore and Sar-
nico. With regard to tourism, particu-
lar mention should be made of Lovere,
with its numerous palazzos, monu-
ments and churches, and its medi-
PREDORE eval town centre that stretches down

68

towards the lake. The Renaissance-
style Basilica of Santa Maria in
Valvedra was built in 1473. The inte-
rior was partly rebuilt in the Baroque
period, and contains works by Moro-
ni, Moretto, Cavagna, and Carpinoni.
Also of interest is the old parish
church dedicated to Saint George.
Mention should also be made of the
Torre del Comune (Municipal Tower,
14th century), the Torre Soca (Soca
Tower, 13th century), and the church
of San Giorgio Martire (St George
the Martyr, 14 th century). A visit
should be paid to the art gallery in
Palazzo Tadini, a driving force be-
hind the towns cultural activities.
The edice was built at the beginning
of the 19th century in neoclassical
style by Count Luigi Tadini, who en-
trusted the design to the architect
Sebastiano Salimbeni. It houses
works by Jacopo Bellini, Parmigiani-
no, Pitocchetto, Antonio Cifrondi,
Tiepolo, and Van Dijck. Inside the
museum we nd a sculpture by Cano-
va, porcelain pieces from Svres and
Capodimonte, Renaissance bronzes,
medieval armour and numerous oth-
er interesting objects. At the foot of
Monte Cala, it is still possible to see
MONASTEROLO, CASTLE
THE LAKES
the remains of a Gallic fortress,
which dates back to the 4th century
BC. Today, Lovere has a host of res-
taurants and meeting places, as well
as many boating, sailing and wind-
surng clubs. Located in a unique
setting, the Lovere Marina is one of
the most modern and well-equipped
lakeside nautical facilities in Europe.
Situated in an ideal position and sit-
ting on the cutting edge from a func-
tional and technological standpoint,
it is the perfect mooring post both for
those who wish to enjoy a beautiful
and charming lake like the Sebino,
and those who wish to visit and dis-
cover the wonders of the hinterland
and the nearby islands. Its stylistic
and architectural beauty, the quality
of the materials, the vast natural, rec-
reational and commercial areas and
the numerous opportunities for sport
make this a modern facility that is
suitable for high-level boating and a
place where it is possible to enjoy the
beauty of the landscape in a sophisti-
cated and relaxing atmosphere. Near
to Lovere, at an altitude of 900 me-
tres, the town of Bossico is the ideal
place for a visit or a holiday; lying on
a beautiful green plateau and un-
69
 TAVERNOLA

70

BIANZANO
touched by thoughtless building de-
velopments, this peaceful locality of-
fers numerous possibilities for de-
lightful walks and ying visits to the
lake. With regard to tourism, other
important localities include the holi-
day towns of Castro, Predore and Sar-
nico. At Castro it is possible to admire
the little port, which is bordered by
houses. The road that begins here is
rather striking in places; carved into
the rock, it follows the western shore
of the lake to Tavernola, before con-
tinuing to Predore and Sarnico. Above
the lake we find several extremely
beautiful summer resorts such as
Vigolo (600 m), a hill town and Taver-
nola, where a visit must be paid to the
hamlet of Cambianica with the little
Romanesque church of Saint Michael,
and Predore, where numerous handi-
craft businesses and boatyards our-
ish, together with tourist businesses
related to the pursuits of bathing and
shing. One of the most important
lake resorts in the Province of Berga-
mo is undoubtedly Sarnico, with its
numerous hotels and eating/drinking
establishments, beautiful lakeside
promenade and shopping centre full
of bars, shops and boutiques. The ar-
THE LAKES
chitect Sommaruga left his mark on
the town during the Art Nouveau pe-
riod. Sarnico can also boast a well-
established boat manufacturing in-
dustry and various races and speed
competitions take place on the lake.
The towns history is lost in the mists
of the centuries. It is known that in
1102, the Emperor Henry IV spoke of
privileges regarding Sarnico and Iseo.
And it was at Sarnico that a steamboat
appeared for the rst time in Italy, in
the mid-19 th century. The craft,
named the Arciduca Leopoldo
(Archduke Leopold), was launched in
1841. At the beginning of the last cen-
tury, the lake was linked to the rail-
way network by a short stretch of
track that connected Paratico to
Palazzolo, a line that still exists to
this day. A ferry boat service was es-
tablished on the lake, which trans-
ported railway carriages to the vari-
ous towns in the area. A visit should
be paid to the little Romanesque
church dedicated to the saints Rocco
and Nazario, situated just above the
hamlet of Castione and dating back to
the 12th century (the portico is from
the 15th century).
71
 Castle of Marne

Taleggio Valley, Pizzino

Avaro (Misers) plain - Three Lords Peak group

LOCALITIES
 LOCALITIES

CLUSONE, S. LUCIO

Valtellin a Val
Camonica
Passo SAN SIMONE FOPPOLO Passo del
S. Marco VALBONDIONE Vivione
PIAZZA CARONA SCHILPARIO
CUSIO LIZZOLA
TORRE
ORNICA VILMINORE
BRANZI
VALT ORTA GROMO SPIAZZI
AZZONE
VALCANALE COLERE
OLMO AL
BREMBO ARDESIO Val
RONCOBELLO Passo della Camonica
OLTRE- Presolana
LENNA SENDA
OLTRE IL COLLE
VEDESETA TALEGGIO PONTE
S. GIOVANNI MONTE
Lecco Bianco NOSSA PORA
FUIPIANO P EGH CASTIONE
SERINA d. Presolana
ERA CLUS0NE
ROTA S. PELLEGRINO ONETA
Imagna Terme COLZATE GANDINO
GEROSA LOVERE
BREMBILLA BRACCA
COSTA ENDINE
Imagna ZO SELVINO
GN
VA O LEFFE
LC
AVA CENE Lago
SEDRINA Lago di
ALMENNO Endine d'Iseo
ALZANO L. GAVERINA
S. Salvatore VILLA
D'ALME' Terme MONASTEROLO
del Castello
SOTTO IL MONTE BERGAMO SARNICO Monte Isola
GIOVANNI XXIII TRESCORE
BALNEARIO
DALMINE

Malpaga
MILANO

MARTINENGO

ROMANO Rovato Brescia

TREVIGLIO CARAVAGGI O di Lombardia
MILANO Lodi VERO
Crema NA

74

CLUSONE
The little capital of the Upper Seriana
Valley stands at an altitude of 648
metres and has approximately 8,000
inhabitants. The towns tourism
industry was already established by
the beginning of the last century. At
that time, Clusone was a resort for
the elite: the people who could afford
to take holidays were few and far be-
tween. Clusone, located on a delight-
ful plateau in the heart of the valley,
was easy to reach: the 33 kilometre
journey from Bergamo took about an
hour on the Seriana Valley train. With
a coach and horses it took at least
three times as long. Clusones hotels
began to appear during this period.
Nowadays, the tourism business is
based primarily on holiday homes,
which are either owned or rented.
The town offers an enviable climate, a
pinewood of exceptional importance,
pleasant walks and an extremely
interesting historic centre. First of
all, we must mention the Palazzo
Comunale (Town Hall), which dates
back to the year 1000; its faade is
decorated with numerous frescoes
depicting secular life and several oth-
ers of a religious nature. Moreover,
nearly all the faades in the old town
centre must have been frescoed in the
past: traces can be seen everywhere.
The Palazzo Comunale also features
the wonderful Fanzago Astronomical
Clock, which since 1583 has shown
not only the time, but also the day,
the month, the signs of the zodiac
and even the seasons and the moons.
A work of extraordinary importance.
In the medieval style quarter we can
see old aristocratic buildings such
as Palazzo Marinoni Barca, Palazzo
Fogaccia, Carrara Spinelli, etc.
A visit should be paid to the little
church of the Disciplined, with its
important cycle of frescoes dating
back to circa 1470, which depict the
main evangelical scenes. Above the
presbytery we nd a work of funda-
mental importance: a richly detailed
crucixion which, due to its dramatic
force, represents a true work of art
from the 15th century. On the faade
we can see a work of international
significance: the three-part fresco
with the Danza Macabra (Dance
Macabre), the Trionfo della Morte
(Triumph of Death) and the Destino
dei Beati e dei Peccatori (Fate of the
Blessed and the Sinful), the work of
an unknown artist, which dates back
to 1485. Visits should also be paid to
the Romanesque Chiesa del Paradiso
(Church of Paradise); SantAnna,
with its frescoed faade; the church of
San Defendente, which is rich in 15th
and 16th-century paintings, and to
the great Basilica from the end of the
17th century, with the 15th-century
75

CLUSONE, DANCE MACABRE (DETAIL)
baptismal font, the altar by Andrea
Fantoni and works by Sebastiano
Ricci, Cavagna, Cifrondi, Querena
and Carpinoni. In the pinewood,
a visit should be made to the 17th-
century Cappella dei Morti Vecchi
(Chapel of the Old Dead), which
was built on the old valley road; the
latter is now a mule track that runs
through the pinewood to the hamlet
of Fiorine, amidst a natural land-
scape of rare beauty. From Clusone,
numerous walks are possible in the
lush greenery of the plateau or in the
shadowy and fragrant pinewood. Al-
ternatively, you can climb the paths
that lead to San Lucio (1,000 metres)
or to Pizzo Formico (Formico Peak,
1,637 metres) or to the Fontanino
della Mamma (literally Mothers
Little Fountain), or to Monte Blum,
continuing until you reach the
Presolana.
CASTIONE DELLA PRESOLANA
The most important tourist area in
the Seriana Valley and the entire
Province of Bergamo. Just consider
that as many as 83 percent of the
dwellings in Castione della Presolana
are used primarily as holiday homes.
76
The Presolana Basin, dominated by
the queen mountain of the Orobie
Alps, is rst and foremost a natural
environment of incomparable beauty,
worthy of comparison with the more
famous dolomitic panoramas. Pin-
ewoods, modestly-sized mountains,
hollows and streams can be found
in the Basin, in a vast, pleasant area.
The Basins attractions are of an es-
sentially naturalistic kind, related
to the climate, the landscape and to
the walks and excursions. First of
all, mention must be made of the
Presolana Pass at 1,297 metres, with
the area of hotels, the pinewoods and
the place known as Salto degli Sposi
(Lovers Leap), with its view of the
Scalve Valley. The Pass is the starting
point for walks that lead to the sum-
mit of the Presolana and to several
other mountain localities, such as
the Grotta dei Pagani (Pagans Cave),
the Rino Olmo Refuge (belonging to
the Italian Alpine Club of Clusone)
and Monte Visolo. The Presolana
Pass marks the end of the traditional
Orobie Prealps Path. Other footpaths
in the Basin include the one known as
the Via del Latte (Milky Way), which
passes chalets and huts where cheese
is produced, and the one that leads
to Monte Varro and to the delightful
Tede Valley, Cima di Campo and the
Malga Bassa di Pora (a hut). Monte
Pora (1,879 metres) is extremely
important for winter tourism in the
Basin: it is home to some of the most
renowned ski lifts in the Province
of Bergamo. In the summer, a typi-
cal walk is the one that leads to the
Magnolini Refuge (1,612 m), situated
on the plateau that offers a splendid
view of Lake Iseo. In Castione, a visit
should be paid to the Parrocchiale
(Parish Church), which is home to
valuable paintings by Carpinoni and
sculptures by the Fantoni family. In
Dorga, mention should be made of
the Santuario delle Grazie (Sanctu-
ary of Grace) in Lantana, at the foot
of Monte Pora, a building that dates

back to the 15th century, but which
features an 11th-century sculpture on
its portal, depicting Saint Sylvester.
Also of interest are the numerous
santelle (painted shrines) on the
walls of the chalets and farmhouses.
SAN PELLEGRINO TERME
Touched by the charming and deca-
dent art nouveau style of the early
20th century, San Pellegrino has ex-
perienced the extravagances of the
most prestigious form of tourism,
which even appealed to the royal
family. Between the end of the 19th
and the beginning of the 20th centu-
ries, this little town in the Brembana
Valley enjoyed its greatest tourism
boom, as can be seen by the buildings
and transport systems that were con-
structed during this period: the state-
ly and striking Grand Hotel, the luxu-
rious casino, the railway and the little
stations scattered along the valley,
all built with particular architectural
precision. San Pellegrino owes its
fame to its position amidst the green-
ery of the valley, which is dominated
by modest peaks and offers many
pleasant walks, to its water, which is
renowned throughout the world, but
above all to its spa baths, which are
temporarily closed while plans are
drawn up for their renovation and re-
S. PELLEGRINO, CASINO
LOCALITIES
opening. The rst written evidence of
the existence of the waters dates back
to the municipal charters of 1452.
The Dissertazioni sullacqua di San
Pellegrino (Treatises on the Water of
San Pellegrino) by the doctor Alberto
Astori were written in 1740. A centu-
ry later, the waters of San Pellegrino
were recommended for the treatment
of lithiasis of the urinary tract, hype-
ruricaemia, lymphatic diathesis, obe-
sity, diseases of the liver and biliary
system and diseases of the digestive
system. The rst spa baths were built
in around 1840.
But the most important building
works date back to the early 1900s:
the Casino, the Grand Hotel, the new
Spa Bath and Treatment Building
and the hydropinic treatment room.
The locality, situated at 358 m above
sea level in the Brembana Valley, of-
fers the tourist much more than
the spa baths; San Pellegrino boasts
hotels, eating/drinking establish-
ments, minigolf, grass skiing, tennis,
a swimming pool, clay pigeon shoot-
ing... a host of tourist infrastructures.
There is even a funicular, though it is
temporarily out of service. Built in
1909, it climbs up to the Vetta (Sum-
mit), a natural terrace that lies at
an altitude of 650 metres, where the
Grotte del Sogno (Dream Caves)
were discovered in 1931. Sadly, the
little valley railway, which travelled
from Bergamo to Piazza Brembana
and had its main station at San Pel-
legrino, no longer exists: it was not
only a means of transport, but also a
tourist attraction. During the sum-
mer, numerous cultural and enter-
tainment events take place in San
Pellegrino: concerts, festivals, exhi-
bitions and so on. Tourists can take
advantage of a tness trail and there
are also numerous walks, such as
those to SantAntonio Abbandonato,
the Pizzo Cerro (Cerro Peak), Monte
Sornadello, Monte Gioco and Monte
Zucco, peaks that range from 1,000 to
1,600 metres above sea level.
77
 S. GIOVANNI BIANCO
AND CORNELLO DEI TASSO
San Giovanni Bianco, with Har-
lequins house and the hamlet of
Cornello, is the holiday destination
in the valley that is richest in history,
olden-day ambience and testimonies
of former times. San Giovanni Bianco
lies at 450 metres above sea level at
the conuence of the Enna torrent
and the River Brembo, at the junction
between the Taleggio and Brembana
Valleys. The town straddles the river
and evidence of its antiquity can be
seen in both its layout (narrow lanes,
houses leaning one against the other,
unexpected and irregular open spac-
es) and its architecture (stone houses,
portals, porticoes with cross vaults,
bridges). In San Giovanni Bianco,
mention should be made of Piazza
Zignone, with the monument to the
soldier Vistallo Zignone who, in 1495,
presented the town with a thorn from
the crown of Christ. The thorn had
been presented to Zignone by the Ve-
netian Republic, as an acknowledge-
ment of his heroic actions during the
battle against Charles VIII of France.
Formerly preserved in a chapel in Par-
is, the thorn is now housed in the par-
78
ish church. After visiting the striking
piazza, the surrounding lanes should
be explored; but, above all, visitors
must witness the spectacular sight of
the bridges over the Brembo and the
porticoed street that stretches on the
other side of the river, which was the
main road into the valley until 1882.
In that year, a new road was built, the
present-day one, which was obtained
by demolishing a part of the towns
historic centre. The house that sup-
posedly belonged to Harlequin, the
native of Bergamo who emigrated to
Venice, can be found in the tiny ham-
let of Oneta. In reality, it belonged to
the famous actor Giovanni Ganassa,
of the troupe Compagnia dei Gelosi
(Company of Jealous Ones), who reg-
ularly played the character. The house
has maintained its antique character,
a unique blend of rustic and Venetian.
A few kilometres after San Giovanni
Bianco, we park the car and climb the
mule track which, in ve minutes,
leads us to Cornello dei Tasso, an old
fortied village built on a green slope,
which appears as it did ve centuries
ago. You will enjoy an evocative visit.
A completely porticoed street, which
was once lined with stalls and inns,
BERGAMO, PARK OF THE HILLS

a delightful little piazza and a little
Romanesque church with a leaning
bell tower. Cornello dei Tasso was an
important stop for the merchants who
travelled up the valley with their mule
caravans. These places ooze with
historical charm. Europes rst postal
service was established here by the
Tasso family, whose lineage includes
the poet Torquato Tasso.
SELVINO
The Selvino Plateau, after the
Presolana Basin, is one of the most
highly-developed tourist areas in the
Province of Bergamo. The main cen-
tre of this thriving tourist industry is
undoubtedly Selvino, an old farming
village that suddenly enjoyed great
success in this sector, thanks to the
delicate beauty of its hills, which lie
at an altitude of 1,000 metres. There
are various tourist infrastructures,
including a swimming pool, tennis
and bowls courts, two football pitches,
numerous restaurants, pizzerias
and bars. Selvino and its plateau are
located on the hills that act as a
watershed between the Seriana Val-
ley and the Brembana Valley. One
of the important roads that used to
connect Bergamo to the Brembana
Valley passed this way, thus favouring
the towns development The tourist
trade concerns all the localities in
the area, starting with Aviatico (1,100
m pop. 500), whose economy was
based for centuries on sheep farming
and livestock breeding. The parish
church houses canvases by Giambat-
tista Moroni, Antonio Cifrondi, Enea
Talpino and Pietro Gualdi. Various
works of art are preserved in the par-
ish churches of the delightful little
hamlets of Amora, Ama and Ganda.
Numerous walks are possible from
Selvino, including one that descends
through forests and meadows to
the Maresana, before continuing to
Bergamo (a charming and gentle
pre-alpine route), one that leads to
Monte Podona (1,228 metres) and to
LOCALITIES
Monte di Nese, and another that leads
to Monte Rena (1,145 metres), a para-
dise for hang-gliding and paragliding
enthusiasts. From both Aviatico and
Selvino it is possible to climb up to
Monte Poieto, to the beautiful natural
rock gymnasium of the Cornagera.
Aviatico also offers beautiful walks to
Monte Suchello (1,505 metres) and
then to the Alben (2,020 metres); and
to Monte Cedrina (1,125 metres), de-
scending in the Vertova Valley.
The tiny hamlets are also pleasant
places for a holiday, as they provide
even greater peace and tranquillity.
From Ganda and Amora, a beautiful
walk leads to Orezzo.
OUTSIDE THE TOURIST CIRCUIT
There are many places which, for vari-
ous reasons, play an important role in
the local holiday industry, but which
lie outside of the traditional tourist
areas. A good example is the Valbrem-
bo Airport, where gliding enthusiasts
can observe the ight of these ultra-
light aircraft or enquire about enroll-
ing on one of the special courses. An
interesting visit can also be paid to
the Fantasy World-Minitalia Theme
Park at Capriate San Gervasio, on
the road to Milan, a miniature ver-
sion of Italy with extremely detailed
scale reproductions of its cities and
monuments, and with a large park,
refreshment bars and entertainment.
Mention should also be made of the
Parco delle Cornelle, where it is pos-
sible to see dozens and dozens of ani-
mal species roaming freely in vast ar-
eas with modern facilities. Our main
recommendation to tourists visiting
the lakes or valleys is the Parco dei
Colli di Bergamo (Park of the Ber-
gamo Hills), a nature reserve where
the greenery lives in perfect harmony
with the old human settlements, thus
drawing comparisons with the Tuscan
hills. The park primarily encompasses
the municipality of Bergamo, but also
stretches to neighbouring localities:
Alm, Sorisole, Mozzo, etc. An oasis
79
 TWIN LAKES
of greenery, footpaths and old narrow
roads at the foot of the Orobie Pre-
alps. And we should also remember
the Fontanile Brancaleone reserve
at Caravaggio, right in the middle
of the Po Valley, where the chan-
nelled springs, a phenomenon that
has existed since Roman times, are
an extremely striking feature. Situ-
ated on the border of the Province of
Bergamo, the rock engravings park at
Capodiponte (BS) is of international
importance. Leisure time can be
spent at Aquasplash, not far from Sar-
nico, a water park with exciting slides
and rides. Religious tourism would
deserve a chapter of its own.
Here, we will mention just Sotto il
Monte, the birthplace of Pope John
XXIII, for years the destination of a
continuous and substantial pilgrim-
age, and Caravaggio, with the Sanc-
tuary of the Madonna, whose spring,
the tangible sign of the miracle that
took place back in 1432, provides wa-
ter for millions of pilgrims.
REFUGES
Numerous refuges can be found along
the paths of the Bergamo mountains.
The highest ones are the Brunone
80
Refuge in the Seriana Valley (2,295 m)
and the Nani Tagliaferri Refuge in the
Scalve Valley (2,328 m).
Some of the main refuges are the ones
that are found along the route of the
Orobie Prealps Path: Alpe Corte (1,410
m), Laghi Gemelli (1,968 m), Fratelli
Calvi (2,015 m), Brunone (2,295 m),
Coca (1,892 m), Cur (1,915 m), Alba-
ni (1,939 m). The Western Orobie Pre-
alps Path, which stretches through
the Brembana Valley, passes the fol-
lowing refuges: Gherardi (1,647 m),
Cazzaniga (1,889 m), Grassi (1,987
m), Benigni (2,222 m), C San Marco
(1,830 m), Calvi (2,015 m). The two
Orobie paths are an extremely im-
portant attraction for mountain lov-
ers. They are divided respectively into
eight and seven stages, making it pos-
sible to cover only specic parts of the
routes. The traditional Orobie Prealps
Path begins in Valcanale, winding for
eighty kilometres as far as the Cur
Refuge above Valbondione, before
continuing to the Albani Refuge and
the Presolana. The Western Path sets
off from Cassiglio in the Brembana
Valley, climbs up to the Gherardi Ref-
uge and then continues to the Calvi
Refuge, above Carona.

SPA RESORT
The Province of Bergamo also pres-
ents opportunities for spa holidays.
In the Brembana Valley, the Bracca
spa offers low mineral content-alka-
line-lithia waters, which are used in
hydropinic treatments for diseases
of the digestive system, for disorders
involving alterations in the metabo-
lism and for kidney stones. The sul-
phate-bicarbonate-alkaline waters of
the renowned San Pellegrino spa are
suitable for hydropinic, inhalation
and irrigation treatments. Here, it is
possible to enjoy baths, hydromas-
sages and mud baths. Treatments rec-
ommended for diseases of the kidneys
and the urinary tract, the metabolism,
the digestive system, the liver and of
the biliary and respiratory systems.
At SantOmobono we nd sulphurous
waters, which are used in hydropinic,
inhalation and irrigation treatments
for the digestive system, the liver, the
urinary tract and for respiratory and
skin diseases. At Trescore Balneario,
the spa offers sulphurous-sodium-
chlorinated waters that are rich in sul-
phurated hydrogen. They are used for
inhalation treatments and mud baths
and are recommended for diseases
of the respiratory system. The mud
baths of Trescore are used to treat
forms of arthritis and rheumatism.
The Gaverina spa is characterised by
LOCALITIES
bicarbonate-alkaline-sulphurous wa-
ters, with hydropinic treatment for
gastro-intestinal diseases, for biliary
and renal disorders and diseases and
for the treatment of gout.
NATURE RESERVES AND PARKS
The Province of Bergamo boasts na-
ture reserves of all shapes and sizes.
To begin with, we have the Parco
dei Colli di Bergamo (Park of the
Bergamo Hills), which is extremely
important as it encompasses a vast
zone surrounding the city, a hilly area
where forests, footpaths, farmhouses
and roads built by man up until the
beginning of the last century are still
intact, coexisting in perfect harmony.
The park is traversed by numerous
charming footpaths, in a lush natural
environment where it is possible to
see interesting fauna and ora. An-
other important area in the province
is the Giovetto nature reserve in the
Scalve Valley, where a wonderful r
wood is home to the renowned formi-
ca rufa ant, a balancing factor in the
woodlands due its ability to eliminate
various parasites from the trees, in-
cluding the pine processionary moth.
Next, we have the delightful Barbelli-
no-Belviso Reserve, which begins at
the Cur Refuge above Valbondione
and incorporates an extremely vast ar-
ea, descending into the Valtellina and
covering the provinces of Bergamo,
Sondrio and Brescia. A veritable fau-
nal paradise, which is home to thou-
sands of chamois, ibexes, mouons,
red deer, roe deer, eagles, marmots
and ermines. In the area of Cenate
we must also mention the Valpredina
regional nature reserve, a WWF oa-
sis, characterised by the presence of
a botanical garden in which Mediter-
ranean vegetation has been articially
introduced, adapting excellently to
the favourable climatic conditions. It
contains pines, olives, cypresses, ar-
butuses, camphor trees, pittosporums
etc., as well as fauna typical of the pre-
alpine area, including many species
81

TADINI ACADEMY
of passerines, raptors, badgers, beech
martens, hedgehogs, squirrels, etc.
The Parco delle Orobie Bergamasche
(Bergamo Orobie Prealps Park) lies on
the Bergamo side of the Orobie moun-
tain chain, which is characterised by
peaks that soar to altitudes of between
2,000 and 3,000 metres, and by deep
valleys that feed the provinces main
rivers. In terms of expanse and variety,
the forests are one of the parks n-
est features, and as we climb through
the various altitude belts towards the
snowy and rocky areas, we encounter
beech woods, spruce and silver-r for-
ests, larch woods and high mountain
pastures and meadows. There is a con-
siderable presence of characteristic
alpine fauna, including some particu-
larly rare species, such as the ptarmi-
gan and the golden eagle. The ibex has
recently been reintroduced.
We now move on to the Parco Fluviale
del Serio (Serio River Park), whose
characteristic element is water and
where the presence of a rich and var-
ied landscape is a fundamental factor
in the presence of numerous ecosys-
tems that give rise to ora and fauna
that is suited to specic environmen-
tal conditions. In the Municipality of
82
Valbrembo we can also nd the Parco
Faunistico delle Cornelle (Cornelle
Fauna Park), a lush green area that
is home to dozens of animal species
from throughout the world. Between
April and September, the area can be
visited every day, from 9.00 am to 7.00
pm, while from October to March it
is open from 9.00 am to 5.00 pm. The
internationally renowned Sentiero dei
Fiori (Path of Flowers), in the towns of
Oltre il Colle and Zambla, is an itiner-
ary of major scientic and naturalistic
importance; set in a striking moun-
tain environment, it is home to plants
of prehistoric origin that survived the
Ice age. Finally, we must not forget the
Freddo Valley nature reserve, which is
mentioned elsewhere.
MUSEUMS
The city of Bergamo offers numerous
interesting exhibitions, but there is
also a host of museums in the prov-
ince. Several museums are extremely
well known, such as the Accademia
Carrara and the citys other collec-
tions, the Tadini Gallery in Lovere, the
Gandino Basilica Museum and the Af-
rican Village in Urgnano; others have
a more local character and revolve
around specic themes; others still
are small collections of art and histor-
ical objects that are jealously guarded
by various communities. At Almenno
San Bartolomeo we nd the Tino Sana
Carpentry Museum, where it is pos-
sible to admire tools, utensils, recon-
structions of workshops and of other
objects, such as several carriages, a
section dedicated to puppets and the
Museum of the Bicycle, which tells
the story of the top racing cyclist Fe-
lice Gimondi. In Ardesio, the Ethno-
graphical Museum presents mining
and metalworking tools, implements
used by woodcutters and charcoal
burners and utensils associated with
the cultivation and processing of ax.
Also of interest is Calcinates Museum
of African Art and Culture, which fea-
tures a life-size reconstruction of an

African village. There is also the Na-
tivity Scene Museum in Dalmine, the
Basilica Museum in Gandino, the Ta-
dini Academy of Fine Arts in Lovere
with its rich exhibition of paintings,
the Drop Forge Museum at Ponte
Nossa, which is set up, as the name
suggests, inside an old drop forge that
is still operational, and the Fantoni
House Museum in Rovetta, where it is
possible to see objects, drawings and
tools that once belonged to the great
family of wood sculptors. At Schil-
pario we nd another important eth-
nographical museum that chronicles
life in the valley. At Sotto il Monte we
can visit the Museum of Pope John
XXIII, and at Gandino the Museum
of the Basilica of Santa Maria Assun-
ta. Zogno is home to the Museum of
the Valley, which features collections
of an ethnographical nature concern-
ing civilisation and life in the valley,
and at San Pellegrino Terme we nd
the Brembana Valley of Natural Sci-
ences. Moreover, throughout the
province there are countless other
collections of sacred art and mono-
graphs that incorporate the master-
pieces of Bergamos artistic history;
hundreds and hundreds of works,
TINO SANA CARPENTRY MUSEUM
LOCALITIES
paintings, sculptures, drawings, fab-
rics, goldwork objects, ceramics and
bronzes. A body of inestimable value,
which demonstrates the local peoples
extraordinary appreciation of beauty
and its manifestations. Most of the
museums in the province have origi-
nated from private collections, the
fruit of the generous commitment of
enthusiastic collectors who were able
to reconcile their passion and their
interests with the desire to favour the
growth of public culture.
ART AND FOLKLORE
The province of Bergamo has to con-
tend with a chief city that boasts one
of the most important artistic patri-
monies in the country. At this point,
it is impossible not to mention the
splendours of Citt Alta and the dis-
tricts of Bergamo. These districts are
home to one of the most interesting
art galleries in Italy, the Accademia
Carrara, a huge collection in which
works by Raphael stand next to ones
by Moroni, Titian and Canaletto. A
quick roundup follows of the remark-
able treasures that can be found in the
province. In the Seriana Valley, visits
should be paid to the parish church of
83
 coed merchants road and the old Ve-
netian customs building. In Serina,
you are advised to make a quick trip
to the historic centre and visit the
Church of Santa Maria Assunta. In
the lakes area, Lovere preserves nu-
merous testimonies of the past, most
notably the Tadini Academy and the
beautiful old town centre. Manifes-
tations of folklore, the link between
art and popular tradition, can be seen
throughout the province of Bergamo.
We will mention just some of them.
CORPUS DOMINI IN GANDINO
The traditions of religious belief nd
expression in the great processions
Alzano, with the sacristies by the Fan- of Gandino (for Corpus Domini) and
toni and Caniana families, the historic Vertova (Good Friday). Secular and
centre of Gandino, with the church profane tradition is represented by the
and the museum, and to the Santuario Scassada del Zener, that is to say,
della Trinit (Sanctuary of the Trin- the banishing of the terrible month
ity) in Casnigo, which dates back to of January, which takes place on the
the 15th century and features cycles of streets of various mountain villages,
frescoes from the same period. In the but in particular at Ardesio, on the 31st
Upper Valley we can see the jewels of of that month. Tin buckets, cowbells,
Clusone, which include the Palazzo
del Comune (Town Hall), the Fan-
zago Astronomical Clock, Palazzo
Fogaccia, the fresco of the Dance
Macabre and the little church of the
Disciplined with the 15 th-century
frescoes depicting the life of Christ.
At Rovetta, a visit is recommended
to the Fantoni House Museum, the
celebrated wood sculptors who were
active between the 15th and 18th centu-
ries. In the Brembana Valley, we nd
the little 12th-century temple of San
Tom at Almenno, and the remains
of the village of Clanezzo, from the
medieval period. San Pellegrinos nu-
merous artistic testimonies include
the Grand Hotel and the Casino, both
in early 20 th-century art nouveau
style. At San Giovanni Bianco we nd
Piazza Zignone and the Via Porticata
(porticoed street); another example
of the latter can be seen in Cornello
dei Tasso, a striking village that has
remained unchanged since the Middle
Ages and which is still not served by a
proper carriageable road. At Averara,
we nd another stretch of the porti-

84

rattles and anything else that makes
a noise are used to banish the frost
and celebrate the coming of spring. At
Carnival time we can witness the Dos-
sena costume parade, while mid-Lent
marks the period of the Rasgamento
della Vecchia, when bonres are lit in
various towns in the province in or-
der to burn things that are no longer
wanted. Various folklore festivals take
place in the province of Bergamo.
ARCHAEOLOGY
First and foremost, a visit must be
paid to Bergamos well-stocked ar-
chaeological museum, located in the
historical setting of Piazza Cittadella.
In the province, local archaeological
nds dating back to various periods,
particularly the Bronze Age, can be
found in the Museum of the Valley
at Zogno; also featured are objects
that were unearthed in caves such
as the Busa de lAndrea, the Busa de
CASTLE OF ROMANO DI LOMBARDIA
LOCALITIES
lEdera and the Busa del Pus, which
can be found between Zogno and Se-
drina, not far from the Grotta delle
Meraviglie (Cave of Wonders). Other
areas of archaeological interest can
be found at Parre where, over the last
ten years, in the locality of Castello,
objects from the Iron Age have been
discovered, along with the remains
of a village dating back to the same
period. Sites of historical interest can
also be found at Clanezzo, at the be-
ginning of the Imagna Valley, and at
Rota Imagna, in the same valley. At
Rota Imagna we nd the Tomba dei
Polacchi (Tomb of the Poles), where
ceramic objects and human remains
have been unearthed. In the Seriana
Valley, interesting nds were made
at Castione della Presolana, in the
Grotta della Mandibola (literally the
Mandible Cave) and in the Riparo del-
la Lancia (literally the Shelter of the
Spear). In the Cavallina Valley, the
85
 Buco del Corno (Hole of the Horn)
is famous for prehistoric objects and
human remains.
CASTLES
Numerous testimonies remain of a
bellicose past, dating from the Mid-
dle Ages to the 19th century: castles,
strongholds and fortications can be
found in Upper Bergamo and through-
out the province. The Bergamo plain
is home to the most interesting cas-
tles. Solidly built, steeped in history
and well preserved, these edices are
a precious and striking reminder of an
era that is associated primarily with
the name of the great warlord Barto-
lomeo Colleoni. The renowned castle
of Malpaga, a hamlet of Cavernago,
dates back to the 15th century and
has a moat and a drawbridge. Inside
is a large courtyard with an open gal-
lery, while the beautiful halls contain
beautiful frescoes dating from the 15th
to the 18th centuries. Bartolomeo Col-
leoni acquired the ruined castle in
1456 and rebuilt it, transforming it
into his home. From 1470 onwards,
the beautiful fortress at Cavernago
was also owned by Colleoni; in the
16th century it then passed into the
hands of the Martinengo family, who
converted it into an elegant residence.
At Urgnano it is possible to visit the
Visconti stronghold, the Castello dei
Conti Albani (Castle of the Albani
Counts), which dates back to 1354.
Built on a square plan, it features two
towers at the main entrance, a moat
and battlements of Ghibelline inspira-
tion. Inside are frescoes from the 17th
century. The stronghold that stands at
Romano di Lombardia is still in a good
state of preservation; it has two inter-
nal courtyards and a well, and we can
also see the remains of frescoes. The
Visconti family fortied it in the 14th
century; it was owned by the Sforza
family before being taken by Colleoni.
It is now the seat of the town library.
At Pagazzano we nd the Castello Vis-
conteo (Visconti Castle), which may
86
have been built before the year 1000.
It was rebuilt by the Visconti family
in the second half of the 15th century;
ve towers were added, three of which
still stand. It is still in good condition
and is now home to a farm. We must
also mention the Visconti Castle of
Brignano Gera dAdda (18th century),
a sumptuous country seat with a beau-
tiful courtyard of honour, the Suardi
Castle in Bianzano with its frescoes
and the Castello dei Conti Calepio
(Castle of the Calepio Counts) in the
town of the same name; of medieval
origin, it was converted into a resi-
dence in the 15th century and stands in
a striking setting, in a quarter that also
boasts a remarkable Carolingian for-
tress complex, which is located near
to the parish church. At Costa di Mez-
zate, the beautiful Camozzi Vertova
Castle is still inhabited and boasts nu-
merous works of art. It was originally
built to defend Bergamo against the
attacks of Frederick I. In the valleys we
can also nd Clanezzo Castle, which
stands in a delightful natural setting,
Ginami Castle in Gromo and the 13th-
century Castle of Monasterolo on the
Endine lake.
TYPICAL WINE AND FOOD
PRODUCTS FROM
THE PROVINCE OF BERGAMO
The Province of Bergamo, due to the
characteristics of the land and the
ability of its entrepreneurs, possesses
a huge variety of agricultural and food
products, which are characterised by
their traditional and natural qualities:
the fruit of a production system that
combines high quality standards with
traditional manufacturing processes
related to the territorys rural culture.
The practice of buying directly from
farms and cooperative stores is be-
coming increasingly popular.
Locally produced foodstuffs offer or-
ganoleptic qualities and avours that
are virtually unknown to the general
public, given its tendency towards
mass consumption.

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Photographs
Archive of the Province of Bergamo,
Archive of the Circolo Marianese,
Tino Rovetta
Publishing coordination
Province of Bergamo - Tourist Service
Translations
Studio First, Bergamo
LOCALITIES
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Graphic design and layout
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Printing
Cormar, Bolzano 4212
Province of Bergamo - 2009
www.provincia.bergamo.it
87
 PIZZO
VALTELLINA CORNO DI COCA MONTE
STELLA PIZZO DEL 3050 m TORENA
DIAVOLO VALCAMONICA
PIZZO DEI 2620 m 2911 m
SAN SIMONE 2914 m BACINO DEL BARBELLINO
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Gandino - Corpus Domini

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San Pellegrino Terme

CRE8 (BG) - Provincia di Bergamo

NORD

Bergamo - Lombardy - Italy

Bergamo

Milano

Bergamo - Orio al Serio

Milano - Linate
Milano - Malpensa
Brescia - Montichiari