Whether you’re looking for a safe adventure in the old iron mines down to the heart of the mountain or millennium-old devotional sites with amazing decorations, whether you want to cherish museums about local archeology and the old crafts involved in iron work or experience wild nature and the Mella river, which contributed to the development of local crafts and industry, Valle Trompia is the place to be!
1) Pieve della Mitria (Nave)
Allegedly erected in 1051 and rebuilt in the 15th century, the parish church named Pieve della Mitria stands surrounded by nature in the heart of Valle Garza, a few kilometers from Brescia. While the facade and architectural structure are simple, once you get in you’ll find impressive frescoed walls and eight chapels with 14th century and Renaissance artistic elements. The bell tower is noteworthy: built inside the perimeter of the church, it occupies almost the whole last chapel on the right.
- Via Pieve Vecchia, loc. La Mitria, Nave – tel. +39 338 4718636 / +39 328 6494445
- www.pievemitria.org
- Free admission, open upon request
Learn more about the Pieve della Mitria.
2) Paul VI collection – Contemporary Art and Birthplace of Pope Paul VI (Concesio)
Learn all about Paul VI: discover the place where he was born and where his faith was shaped. The birthplace of Pope Paul VI in Concesio has become an interesting bibliographic itinerary explaining the most relevant stages in the life and the pontificate of Brescia’s Pope.
Nearby is the Paul VI Collection Museum, with over 7,000 art pieces including paintings, sculptures, drawings, prints, and medals belonging to Pope Montini, a proof of his great passion for art. Some of the most famous artists on display are Matisse, Chagall, Picasso, Dalí, Magritte, Rouault, Severini, Morandi, Fontana, Manzù, Hartung, and Guitton.
Museum:
- via Guglielmo Marconi 15, Concesio – tel. +39 030 2180817
- www.collezionepaolovi.it
- Paid admission
Birthplace:
- via Rodolfo da Concesio 24, Concesio – tel. +39 030 2180575
- www.istitutopaolovi.it
- Free admission, with donation
Learn more about Pope Paul VI Collection and Birthplace.
3) I Magli Museum (Sarezzo)
Part of the itinerary “Iron and Mine Route in Valle Trompia”, this museum is a precious proof of the old, well-rooted tradition of iron manufacturing in Brescia’s valleys. Probably built in the 16th century and in operation until 1984, the forge has been a museum since 2001. In 2013, the highly anticipated restoration of the three forges in the main ground floor room was completed. The game room on the second floor offers workshops and activities for younger visitors.
- via Valgobbia 19, Sarezzo – tel. +39 360 1030495
- unico@civitas.valletrompia.it – www.valtrompia.cosedafare.net/luoghi
- Paid admission
Learn more about I Magli museum.
4) Museum of Arms and Arms-Making Tradition (Gardone Val Trompia)
Organized in two parts, the museum is an excellent proof of the well-known arms-making tradition in Gardone. Through noteworthy examples of firearms starting from the 1500s, the first section is dedicated to the economic development of this sector, in particular technological innovations over the centuries. The second section has an educational purpose, with videos and models on display to take visitors on a journey across the evolving techniques and processes of arms-making.
- Via XX Settembre 31, Gardone Val Trompia – tel. +39 030 831574
- unico@civitas.valletrompia.it – www.museodellearmi.net
- Paid admission
Learn more about Museums of Arms and Arms Making Tradition.
5) Convent of Santa Maria degli Angeli (Gardone Val Trompia)
The core of the complex was founded in the 15th century by St. Bernardine of Siena.
The core of the complex was founded in the 15th century by St. Bernardine of Siena. The complex is composed of a Basilica and a convent: the latter is private property today. Notwithstanding the many restorations and the seizing of most of the works of art contained therein, the elegant portico of the church facade and the main cloister are still intact. Inside the Basilica are splendid frescoes, among which Our Lady of the Angels stands out (1502).
- Via S. Francesco d’Assisi, Gardone Val Trompia – tel. +39 360 1030495
- unico@civitas.valletrompia.it – www.valtrompia.cosedafare.net/luoghi
- Free admission – open upon request
Learn more about the Santa Maria degli Angeli Convent.
6) Etnographic Museum and Peasant House (Lodrino)
Part of the Valle Trompia Museum System, this museum’s collection contains hundreds of objects and artifacts linked to the different facets of rural life: wood working, hunting, breeding, and mountain craftsmanship. Completed with an educational room and the carpentry workshop for young visitors to reproduce old tools, in 2017 the collection added the section dedicated to the centuries-old tradition of dairy farming in the adjacent Peasant House.
- via Dante, loc. Invico, Lodrino – tel. +39 360 1030495
- unico@civitas.valletrompia.it – www.valtrompia.cosedafare.net/luoghi– www.museoetnografico.it
- Paid admission
Learn more about the Etnographic Museum and Farm House.
7) Il Forno di Tavernole Museum (Tavernole sul Mella)
The charm of water, metal, and fire live again in this magnificent example of industrial archeology in upper Valle Trompia, among the best preserved in Europe in its category. The site tells the story of coal-based iron and steel industry and iron transformation into cast iron, a very prominent economic activity in the area.
- Via Forno Fusorio 1, Tavernole su Mella – tel. +39 360 1030495
- unico@civitas.valletrompia.it – www.valtrompia.cosedafare.net/luoghi
- Paid admission
Learn more about Il Forno di Tavernole Museum.
8) Chiesa San Filastrio (Tavernole sul Mella)
One of the most precious gems in Valle Trompia, this church boasts stunning 15th-century frescoes inspired by Foppa’s technique in addition to exquisite decorations on the facade. Located inside the small municipal cemetery, it is a true monumental complex in combination with the Sacristy of San Domenico and the Chapel of San Rocco.
- Via IV novembre 43, Tavernole sul Mella – tel. +39 030 920127
- Free admission – open upon request
Learn more about the Church of San Filastrio.
9) Marzoli Mine (Pezzaze)
Travel inside the mountain for about 700 m aboard a miner’s train accompanied by expert guides. This is the experience offered by Marzoli Mine in Pezzaze, a testament to the mining tradition that represented a major economic resource for Valle Trompia until the end of the 19th century. Everyone can enjoy the itinerary thanks to tools, audio devices, and old photos: it’s a true journey into the past into the fascinating history of Valle Trompia mines.
The ticket also includes a visit to the museum dedicated to “The World of Miners and the Art of Iron”, where iron sculptures by artist Vittorio Piotti are on display.
- Via Miniera, loc. Stese, Pezzaze – tel. +39 347 8163286 / +39 339 6055118
- www.miniereinvaltrompia.com
- Paid admission
Learn more about the Marzoli Mine.
10) ORMA Museum (Pezzaze)
Open in 2019 in the old Broletto di Mondaro, the ORMA Museum in Pezzaze is the first archeological museum in Valle Trompia. Boasting a constantly growing collection of local findings, it works in synergy with Costanzo Caim’s ethnographic collection displayed in the Medieval Tower.
The educational resources made available by the museum help young visitors understand Roman epigraphs, mosaics, and old artifacts.
- Piazza S. Giovanni1, fraz. Mondaro, Pezzaze – tel +39 333 1425093 / +39 346 6771605
- museo.orma@comune.pezzaze.bs.it – www.museoorma.it
- Paid admission
Learn more about the ORMA museum.
11) S. Maria della Misericordia or della Madonna (Bovegno)
Among the most beloved devotional sites in the valley, this shrine celebrates the miracle of Our Lady of Mercy, who appeared on May 22, 1527 to young Maria Amadini. The girl was buried in the same place the following year. Characterized by a Greek cross design and an incredible central dome, the church is enriched by canvases by artists active between the 16th and 18th centuries: Tommaso Bona, Francesco Giugno (or Zugno), Giovanni Antonio Italiani, and Stefano Geroldi.
The votive offerings kept in glass display cabinets at the entrance and in the sacristy are remarkable. Fun fact: officially, the shrine is in Croce di Savenone, in the municipality of Pezzaze.
- Via Monsignor F. Bertoli, loc. Croce di Savenone, Pezzaze – tel. +39 030 926155
- www.valtrompia.cosedafare.net/luoghi
- Free admission – open upon request
Learn more about the Santuario Madonna della Misericordia.
12) Church of Santi Cosma and Damiano (Marmentino)
This church is an unexpected gem just a few kilometers from the main road stretching through Valle Trompia. In addition to the ex-voto frescoes dating back to the beginning of the 16th century, the parish church of Marmentino contains two important works by Moretto: Christ with the Eucharist and Saints Cosma and Damiano, and St. Antonio Abate. Restored at the beginning of the 20th century, the church still has the original 12th-century bell tower, subsequently raised.
- via Parrocchia 29, Bagolino – tel. +39 351 1339595
- Free admission – open upon request
Learn more about the Chiesa dei Santi Cosma e Damiano.
13) S. Aloisio Tassara Mine (Collio)
Active from 1819 to 1984, the S. Aloisio mine in Collio is one of the most interesting sites linked to iron extraction in Valle Trompia. Together with expert guides, a helmet on your head and a flashlight, you will travel inside the heart of the mountain at the discovery of the miners’ secrets. Recently opened, the Adventure Park is a suspended course with aerial bridges, ropes, ladders, and pulley-controlled free fall. A visit to the local history museum is also recommended.
- Via Strada Provinciale, Collio – tel. +39 347 8163286 / +39 339 6055118
- www.miniereinvaltrompia.com
- Paid admission
Learn more about the S. Aloisio Tassara Mine.
14) Chiesa San Rocco (Collio)
Clearly visible along the road connecting Collio to Memmo, the church was erected starting from the mid-1400s. Designed as a mere chapel and subsequently enlarged, this Romanesque church has retained its simple architecture. The facade is linear, with a rose window and an elegant grey stone door. Declared a national monument in 1912, during World War I it was seized and used as a stable for the artillery’s horses.
- Via San Rocco 42, Collio – tel. +39 360 1030495
- unico@civitas.valletrompia.it – www.valtrompia.cosedafare.net/luoghi
- Free admission – open upon request
Learn more about the Chiesa di San Rocco.
Click here to download all the cultural itineraries in Trompia Valley.
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