Excellent museums narrating local history and traditions. Devotional places built to celebrate the apparition of Mary. Mountains ideal for a family trip or for those aiming to reach the summit. Finally Lake Idro, a pristine gem with its unbelievable colors and a one-of-a-kind fortress perched over the waters: Fort Anfo.
Here are some must-see attractions during your stay at Lake Idro and in Valle Sabbia.
1) Monastery of San Bartolomeo (Serle)
A sacred building with a millennium-long history, the Monastery of San Bartolomeo in Serle was built in a splendid panoramic position on Mount Orsino at 993 meters above sea level. From here, not only can you cherish Lake Garda, but you can also enjoy a view over the Serle plateau and Brescia’s plain stretching from the marble quarries to the city’s buildings.
Built in 1093, over the centuries several orders took charge of the structure and modified its core design. Today, it belongs to the Municipality of Serle and is undergoing a substantial restoration effort aiming at showcasing the important medieval remains found during the excavation, and frescoes from the 15th and 16th centuries. As you walk inside, look at the engraved marble plate on the right, with the name of St. Paul VI as its first benefactor.
A very popular Sunday destination, the monastery can be easily reached via a nice walk through the woods. The local tourism office organizes amazing guided tours in the summer.
- Mount Orsino, Serle
- Free admission
Learn more about the Monastery of San Bartolomeo.
2) Beata Vergine Shrine (Paitone)
A highly devotional place, the shrine in Paitone was built after the miraculous apparition of the Virgin Mary to Filippo, a deaf-mute boy, in 1532. Completed in 1534, it contains a painting by Moretto depicting the episode in which Mary promises that she will heal the boy in exchange for the building of this devotional place.
Extremely well preserved, over the years the shrine was enriched with porticoes on the facade overlooking the large front yard. According to reports, other miraculous, sudden healings happened here.
- Via Filippo Viotti, Serle – tel. +39 030 6919298
- santuariodipaitone.it
- Free admission
Learn more about Beata Vergine Shrine.
3) Valle Sabbia Archaeological Civic Museum (Gavardo)
A reference point to understand the history of Valle Sabbia and western Lake Garda, the museum’s collection contains invaluable archaeological remains, fossils, and epigraphs. It’s a true journey through the economic and cultural development of the area, from mid-Paleolithic settlements to the Post-Renaissance Age. The collection also includes the skeletons of a prehistoric bear and a wolf. A section is dedicated to the pile-dwelling site of Lucone di Polpenazze, part of a UNESCO site. The museum is hosted inside a lovely 15th-century palace and is organized to welcome children and school tours.
- Piazzetta San Bernardino 5, Gavardo – tel. +39 0365 371474
- museoarcheologicogavardo.it
- Paid admission
Learn more about the Valle Sabbia Archaeologic Civic Museum.
4) Iron Museum –Pamparane Forge (Odolo)
Owned by the municipality, the museum boasts two forges complete with hydraulic wheels, warehouses, trompe, and other machines once used to manufacture iron objects. Built before the 18th century, the Pamparane forge is open upon reservation for guided tours and the chance is given to watch a demonstration of how the forge works. The experience also includes a visit to an interesting collection of artifacts which narrate the economic and social history of Odolo.
- Via M. D’Azeglio 2, Odolo – tel. +39 0365 826321
- comune.odolo.bs.it
- Open upon reservation
Learn more about the Iron Museum – Pamparane Forge.
5) Madonna della Rocca Shrine (Sabbio Chiese)
As you pass by Sabbio Chiese, you’ll be impressed by the majestic Madonna della Rocca shrine, from which you can cherish a panoramic view of Valle Sabbia. 107 steps will take you to the entrance to the building, erected between the 9th and 10th centuries as a military fortress, and then turned into a religious site.
The shrine is a symbol of the town and is absolutely unique: it is composed of two churches, one on top of the other, both dedicated to the Annunciation. The 17th-century portico and the bell tower are charming. The latter was once used as a watchtower.
- Via Silvio Moretti 49, Sabbio Chiese – tel. +39 339 6856430
- comune.sabbio.bs.it
- Free admission
Learn more about the Madonna della Rocca shrine.
6) Madonna della Neve shrine (Auro, Casto)
Built in mid-16th century, this shrine was erected as a sign of devotion to the Virgin Mary, who had appeared to a young, crippled shepherd and healed him. Among the splendid masterpieces of the church are a painting by Moretto dedicated to St. Antony the Abbot, the 17th-century wooden decoration above the altar, and the polished engravings of the choir and the organ case. The shrine is still today a pilgrimage destination.
- Auro, Casto – tel. +39 036588532 – +39 329 1635605 (parish priest)
- vallesabbia.info
- Free admission
Learn more about the Madonna della Neve shrine.
7) Furnace (Pertica Alta)
A very important example of industrial archaeology in the heart of Valle Sabbia, the furnace is a symbol of the economic activity that for centuries was crucial for this area. Indeed, until mid-19th century, the iron extracted in the Valle Trompia mines was brought here for the first processing stages. At the beginning of the 21st century, excavations brought to light a good portion of the original structure, which experts consider a key to the development of the metallurgical processes that are still today at the basis of Brescia’s industrial strength.
Built near the Tovere stream at 620 meters above sea level, the furnace can be reached on foot via the mule track descending from Livemmo.
- Livemmo di Pertica Alta, loc. Granzole – tel. +39 0365 821490
- comune.perticaalta.bs.it– www.lepertiche.com
- Free admission
8) Church of Sant’Andrea or “dei Morti di Barbaine” (Pertica Alta)
Surrounded by nature and silent mountains, this small church is among the best known in this area. Visitors will enjoy its peaceful, quiet atmosphere. The current single-nave gable structure is an expression of typical 15th-century Lombardy Gothic style. The evocative monument by the church is dedicated to the fallen during the Resistance in Valle Sabbia.
- Livemmo – tel. +39 0365 821270
- vallesabbia.info
- Free admission
9) Resistance and Folklore Museum (Pertica Bassa)
A true testament to the history of the community, the museum’s collection focuses on the Resistance and the agricultural and mountain traditions of these places.
The first collection comprises works by painter and sculptor Dimitrije Paramendic, who donated them to the Municipality as a sign of gratitude for sheltering him after he escaped from the Vestone army prison, where he had been imprisoned (1943). Over the years, the museum received several gifts from former local Partigiani (Resistance soldiers) like arms, war mementos, everyday objects, flags, paintings of local Resistance events, and 5 binders with the entire original documentation of the “Giorgio Perlasca” Fiamme Verdi Brigade. The museum also contains locally crafted artifacts, old farmer tools, household items, photographs, and clothes given by residents which constitute the section dedicated to culture and folklore.
- Forno d’Ono, Pertica Bassa – tel +39 0365 821131
- vallesabbia.info
- Free admission
Learn more about the Resistance and Folklore Museum.
10) Fort Anfo (Anfo)
A monumental structure, the intriguing Fort Anfo (commonly known as “Rocca”) is probably the best-known attraction in the Lake Idro area. Built in the 15th century and perched over the lake in an exceptional panoramic position, it still stands in its magnificence as a custodian of the stories and secrets of its buildings. Originally a military fortification and redesigned several times, it is composed of a combination of gun batteries, barracks, and towers surrounded by imposing Venetian ramparts which are a reminder of the strategic defensive purpose of this complex.
After being neglected for decades, in the last few years the Rocca has been the object of intense restoration activities thanks to which it is now accessible to the public through guided tours or evocative night excursions. The museum containing wartime artifacts is very interesting.
- SS237, Anfo – tel. +39 0365 83224
- roccadanfo.eu
- Paid guided tours
Learn more about Fort Anfo.
11) Fort Cima Ora (Anfo)
A popular destination among hikers, Fort Cima Ora (1,539 meters of altitude) was built at the beginning of World War I as fortification and strategic emplacement for cannons. The cannon emplacement is still visible today. While not in use and completely abandoned, the fort offers a stunning view of the surrounding mountains and Lake Idro up to Ponte Caffaro.
Free admission
Learn more about Fort Cima Ora.
12) Church of San Giorgio (Bagolino)
This church holds works of art by both the most renowned Italian painters (Palma the Young, Titian, Tintoretto) and other artists (Camillo Rama, Andrea Celesti, Francesco Torbido, Pietro Mera). Built on a rocky formation which highlights its magnificence, the impressive parish church of Bagolino houses a large number of works showing the town’s grandeur. Third in size among the churches in the province of Brescia, it is nicknamed the “Mountain Cathedral”.
- via Parrocchia 4, Bagolino – tel. +39 0365 99108
- vallesabbia.info
- Free admission
Learn more about the Church of San Giorgio.
13) Etnographic collection and House-Museum of Association “Habitar in sta terra” (Bagolino)
“Habitar in sta terra” is a project aimed at promoting the artistic, historical, and natural value of Bagolino. The namesake association is leading this effort. The collection is on display on the first floor of the school and includes objects and tools which narrate the traditions and features of local culture. The House-Museum is located in the heart of Bagolino and is a typical example of local traditional house.
- via Lombardi (at the school); House-Museum: via Madonna di San Luca 47, Bagolino – tel. +39 0365 99558 – +39 329 1272533
- habitarinstaterra.it
- Free admission
Learn more about the “Habitar in sta terra” project.
14) Valvestino Etnographic Museum (Cima Rest)
Organized inside one of Valvestino’s traditional thatched roof barns, the main attraction of this beautiful plateau, the museum is a proud example of how local traditions are enhanced. There are three sections: barn, cowshed, and house, with furniture, local cultural artifacts, and tools for home-made crafts, dairy production, and farming. Upon reservation, you can spend a night at one of the Cima Rest barns for an unforgettable vacation in the nature.
- Borgo di Cima Rest, Magasa – tel. +39 0365 745007
- visitvalvestino.it
- Paid admission
Learn more about the Valvestino Etnographic Musem.
Click here to download all the cultural itineraries in the Lake Idro and Valle Sabbia area.
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