Bergamasque Valleys

<< Lombardy

North of Bergamo is the mountainous region of the Bergamasque Prealps and Alps, crossed by various valleys. This area features several mountain villages and ancient towns, which house numerous interesting attractions among a beautiful natural environment.

Almenno San Bartolomeo

Almenno San Bartolomeo is a town located among the hills northwest of Bergamo. Along with nearby Almenno San Salvatore, the area was known as Lemine until the Late Middle Ages, when it declined. The town is known as a starting point for hikes in the surrounding mountains.

Rotonda di San Tomè

The Rotonda di San Tomè is a small Medieval church located between Almenno San Bartolomeo and Almenno San Salvatore. The building was erected during the 12th century and it is one of the most prominent examples of Romanesque architecture in Lombardy. The church has a circular plan and it features various medieval decorations.

Val Brembana

Val Brembana is a valley among the Alps in the northwest of the Province of Bergamo. The valley is crossed by the Brembo river and it is dotted by small towns and villages. In the early 20th century, it became known for its spas and industries.

San Pellegrino Terme

San Pellegrino Terme is the most important center in Val Brembana. The town became famous as a thermal resort since the late 18th century and it features many elaborate Art Nouveau buildings from the early 20th century. Among these are the San Pellegrino Terme Casino, which only operated as a casino between 1907 and 1917, and the Grand Hotel San Pellegrino. The town is also known for the beverage company Sanpellegrino and its mineral water brand S.Pellegrino.

House of Harlequin

Harlequin is one of the most famous characters in the Italian commedia dell’arte, a form of theater that was popular in Europe between the 16th and 18th century. This character is known for its colorful outfits and is associated to the city of Bergamo. The House of Harlequin (Casa di Arlecchino) is a small museum dedicated to Harlequin located in the medieval hamlet of Oneta, just north of San Giovanni Bianco in Val Brembana. The museum houses various historic masks and artworks.

Cornello dei Tasso

Cornello dei Tasso is a tiny medieval village near Camerata Cornello in Val Brembana. Once a small trade center, it has preserved many of its ancient buildings and it has been regarded as one of the most beautiful hamlets in the region. The village hosts the Museum of the Tasso Family and Postal History (Museo dei Tasso e della Storia Postale). This museum is dedicated to the Tasso family, who was from Cornello dei Tasso and was famous for managing the postal service in Europe for centuries. The museum features an exhibition on the history of mail transport and it has a section dedicated to the famous 16th-century writer Torquato Tasso, who was a member of this family.

Trescore Balneario

Trescore Balneario is a town located east of Bergamo, at the start of an alpine valley called Val Cavallina.

Suardi Chapel

The Suardi Chapel (Cappella Suardi) is a small oratory located in the historic villa of the Suardi family in Trescore Balneario. The interior of the chapel is entirely covered in a cycle of beautiful frescoes by Lorenzo Lotto, painted in 1524.

Gandino

Gandino is a small town located in Val Seriana south of Clusone in the Province of Bergamo. The town was for centuries an important center for wool production, but now is mostly a tourist destination.

Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta

The Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta is the main church of Gandino, built over a previous building between the 15th and 17th century. The basilica is known for the rich and elaborate Baroque decorations and frescoes that adorn all its interiors. Next to the church there is a small baptistery and a museum of religious art.

Clusone

Clusone is the main center of Val Seriana, an alpine valley northeast of Bergamo. The town was founded in ancient times and it has always been the most important city in the area. Clusone is a tourist destination for its position among the mountains, but also for its artistic and cultural heritage.

Oratorio dei Disciplini

The Oratorio dei Disciplini is a small oratory in Clusone, erected in the Late Middle Ages. The building is famous for featuring various 15th-century frescoes. The facade of the oratory is adorned by a fresco depicting a Danse Macabre and the Triumph of Death, one of the most famous examples of these allegories. The interior of the oratory also houses a rich series of frescoes. The Oratorio dei Disciplini is located in front of the Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta, the main church of the city, and next to another small oratory, the Oratory of San Luigi Gonzaga.

Fanzago Astronomical Clock

The Fanzago Astronomical Clock (Orologio Planetario Fanzago) is an astronomical clock located on the medieval town hall of Clusone. Built in 1583, it was restored a few times, but it still runs with its original mechanism.

Art and Time Museum

The Art and Time Museum (Museo Arte Tempo) is a museum hosted in a historic palace in Clusone. Its collection includes a series of paintings by local artists, and the mechanisms of various historic clocks.

Valbondione

Valbondione is a small town located among the Alps of the Province of Bergamo, at the northern end of Val Seriana. It is a tourist destination thanks to its position among a beautiful natural environment.

Serio Falls

The Serio Falls (Cascate del Serio) are one of the tallest waterfalls in Italy, created by the Serio river north of Valbondione. The falls have a total drop of 315 meters, and they are one of the most popular tourist attractions in the area.