Comune di Zogno

In the territory of Zogno, the tourist and hiking routes of the Priula Way share some sections. In fact, the alternative route of the SS 470 road, running through a tunnel, has reduced the intensity of traffic in the town. In addition, with the latest developments on the cycle/pedestrian path, it has been brought closer to the old centre, which, due to the importance of its attractions and hospitality, has to be included in the route. In this instance, it has been possible to retrace the historic Way with the contemporary route.

Tracciato Storico

“The Way continued with gentle ascents and descents onto the plain of Zogno, then continued through the town centre (today Via Roma, Via Cavour, Via Vittorio Emanuele II, Piazza Italia and Via Mazzini). Outside Zogno, the Priula Way went under the portico of the Santuario della Madonna della Foppa, a building that marked the arrival in Zogno for travellers coming down through the valley. It continued with a demanding ascent, running through the quarters of Tre Fontane, with its porticoed church, and Tiolo. In these two locations you can still see, above what is now the State Road, Strada Statale 470, the track where the Strada Nova (new road) used to run. Towards San Pellegrino the Way climbed and ran through the Valle del Lavello valley which, as Captain Da Lezze also recorded in 1596, was the boundary between the municipalities of Zogno and San Pellegrino.”

Itinerario escursionistico

Difficoltà: Turistico/Escursionista
Lunghezza percorso: 8460m
Dislivello: 320m
Tempo di percorrenza: 2:30
Note: Connessioni con trasporto pubblico: Ponti di Sedrina, Inzogno, Carmine, Zogno, Ambria/Montegrappa.
Ricettività: alimentari, bar e ristoranti, farmacia a Zogno; alimentari, ristorante a Ambria.
Altri percorsi escursionistici convergenti: Strada Taverna (tratto comune, CAI 592); Via delle Castagne a Zogno; Sentiero 504 per Poscante; Sentiero 505 per M. Zucco e S. Antonio Abbandonato; Sentiero 507A per Stabello; Sentiero 514 per Selvino; “Giro delle Campane” da Zogno
ZO1

Grotta delle Meraviglie

(Cave of Wonders). “The karst cave group Grotte delle Meraviglie (Caves of Wonders) develops within the light grey limestone formation above the provincial road to the Brembana Valley near the Zogno tunnel. The geological formation is the coral-rich Lower Rhaetian “Zù limestone”. The cave group has two entrances. The upper entrance consists of a narrow opening (Büs de la Marta) located in the hamlet Ravagnì, which leads into a descent down a series of shafts, with a total vertical separation of about 60 metres. The lower entrance, located in the park above the provincial road to the Brembana Valley, offers a more convenient way of accessing the caves, along a 73-metre-long artificial tunnel excavated from the rock, with a winding, slightly uphill course reaching the innermost cave. The Grotte delle Meraviglie complex, though relatively small, has many interesting features, both for helping to understand the geological events linked to the formation of the cavity, and for the rich array of karst phenomena. The caves owe their fame to the generosity and tenacity of Ermenegildo Zanchi of the Gruppo Grotte San Pellegrino (San Pellegrino Caving Group) who made them one of the first caves open to tourists in Italy in 1939.” (https://www.comune.zogno.bg.it/citta/grotte-meraviglie/).

ZO2

Santella sulla Strada Taverna

Santella (streetside chapel) on Strada Taverna – Of simple workmanship, in its niche it has a delicate image of the Madonna and Child, with Saints George and Gaetano on the sides.

ZO3

Centrale Enel di Zogno

Enel power station in Zogno. “The new Zogno power station, which had a grand five-kilometre bypass canal, was the most powerful in the valley at that time and one of the most powerful in the province. In fact it was equipped with four groups, each of 2,000 horsepower, and two service groups or electromagnets, used to create the electromagnetic field, of 150 horsepower each. This power station delivered electricity to Monza and various locations in Brianza” (Vv. Aa., Il sogno Brembano, Centro storico culturale Valle Brembana (The Brembo Valley dream, Brembo Valley historic-cultural Centre), Zogno 2006, p. 158).

ZO4

Chiesa della Madonna del Carmine (sec. XVII)

Church of the Madonna del Carmine (17th century). Sited on Via Locatelli, it dates back to the early 17th century, commissioned by Giuseppe Maffeis, who then donated it to the townspeople. Today it has the appearance given to it by work in the early 20th century, with a portico and bell tower. The square nave is surmounted by a cupola on four arches with the Virgin painted at the centre, with Saints Laurence, Theresa, Simone Stock and Alexander around her, in four medallions; the four Evangelists are painted in the pendentives, while on the side walls in stucco cartouches, Our Lady is shown giving the scapular to St. Simone Stock while the Pope approves his devotion. The barrel-vaulted presbytery runs around the marble altar. There are some ex-votos (https://www.parrocchiazogno.it/b-v-del-monte-carmelo—carmine-vecchio.html).

ZO5

Santuario di Maria Santissima del Carmine

A building in modern architecture, dedicated to Mary the Most Holy Queen on commission by Monsignor Giuseppe Speranza, and built in 1965-66 to a design by architect Vito Sonzogni. It stands out against the background of the Corna Rossa amongst the houses on the outskirts of Zogno.

ZO6

Casa Museo Bortolo Belotti

Bortolo Belotti House-Museum. Piazza Belotti 1. “The Bortolo Belotti House Museum is the result of important refurbishment work on the interiors at Villa Belotti, arranged in order to display works highlighting episodes in the life of the historian from Zogno, in the locations where he lived. Bortolo Belotti was a lawyer, politician, minister, historian, poet and exile. Telling his story means entering a world that is hard to fully understand, namely the 20th century, with all its contrasts and accelerations. Starting with Belotti’s art collection, his archive and the garden of his villa is a way of exploring the life, thought and work of one of the most important citizens of Bergamo in the previous century. Exhibiting the 26 works that the family has donated to the Municipality of Zogno provides an opportunity to present the ‘Rete Culturale Diffusa’ (Widespread Cultural Network), a project whose objective is to adequately promote familiarity with the wonders of Zogno.” (https://www.comune.zogno.bg.it/aree/cultura-e-tempo-libero/musei/)

ZO7

Chiesetta dei Mortini

The Mortini Chapel. “From the ancient cemetery of Santa Maria in Zogno, there are still some tombstones scattered along Via Roma near the Monastery, ossuaries that re-emerge during excavations and, above all, this chapel named ‘Cappella dei Mortini.’ It has a small porch reaching the same height as the chapel itself, culminating in a curved cornice clad with tiles. It has three openings and round arches on the sides, while the central window is in 17th-century style. Three steps lead to a raised floor, above which the interior is lit by a small window with a moulded lintel echoing the style of the central arch with a parapet sill and a grille with stained glass. The interior, accessed by a small door on the north side, has a rectangular floor plan, with a flat elliptical ceiling rising from the wall with pendentives. An altar abuts the wall, with a canvas depicting the Virgin, St. Anthony and the souls in purgatory. Three small oval windows let in the daylight and a small gable on the north side holds a bell” (https://www.parrocchiazogno.it/chiesetta-dei-mortini—via-cavour.html).

ZO8

Chiesa di San Lorenzo Martire

Church of San Lorenzo Martire (St. Lawrence the Martyr). “Built from 1431 on the ruins of the ancient castle, it took the place of the previous Church of the Annunciation of St. Mary. By 1458, the building’s walls were in place, although not fully completed. The interior decorations, bell tower, cemetery and staircase were added later. The inauguration took place on 10 August 1472. Further refurbishments and restorations over the centuries would give it its current appearance. On the bell tower there is the statue of St. Lawrence, the work of sculptor Francesco Albera from Milan, who also created the statues of the twelve apostles placed inside. In addition to the neoclassical decorations, the interior contains numerous paintings and works by famous artists, including Vincenzo Angelo Orelli, Palma il Vecchio, Enrico Albricci, Cavagna and Rillosi. Other notable pieces comprise the fifteen Mysteries of the Holy Rosary, currently attributed to Francesco Zucco. A modern bronze baptismal font, the presbytery lectern and the community altar are works by contemporary sculptor Alberto Meli. The choir is by the skilled Zogno artist Giuseppe Lazzaroni.” (https://www.comune.zogno.bg.it/citta/edifici/san-lorenzo)/

ZO9

Museo della Vicaria o di S.Lorenzo

Museum of the Vicariate or San Lorenzo. Via XI Febbraio 9. “The San Lorenzo Museum was founded in 1985 by Monsignor Giulio Gabanelli and a group of local history scholars. Arranged on three floors in a building owned by the parish, it comprises material relating to the various ages of religious belief in Zogno over the centuries. It consists of frescoes, paintings, sculptures, crucifixes, chalices, ciboria, monstrances, candelabra, baldachins, vestments, sacred garments, lace and embroidery, furniture, prayer booklets, holy images and many other devotional objects of great artistic and historical value. Sculptures and stone artefacts are exhibited in the outer cloister. The visit to the museum follows a well-defined route, designed to provide a better understanding of the narrative.” (https://www.comune.zogno.bg.it/aree/cultura-e-tempo-libero/musei/)

ZO10

Museo della Valle

(Valley Museum). Via Mazzini 3. “This is an ethnographic and archaeological museum founded in 1979 by Commendatore (Italian rank of honour) Vittorio Polli in collaboration with a group of friends prominent in the field of culture in the Bergamo valleys. It is housed in Cardinal Furietti’s House, built on two floors in Via Mazzini, and the collection consists in part of archaeological finds of considerable importance, valuable evidence of life in our valley in distant epochs, and in part of objects from more recent times. The rediscovery of this material dates back to 1975, when Onorato Pesenti found many objects from collective burials (comprising complete ossuaries, grave goods, ornamental objects, etc.) in the Buca di Sant’Andrea, a cavity near the caves Grotte delle Meraviglie, dating to a period of time running from the mid-3rd millennium to the 19th century B.C. As regards more recent times, the museum has a collection of tools used in ancient trades (blacksmiths, farriers, knife grinders, weavers, clog and nail makers, farmers, etc.), domestic objects, furniture, clothing and lace, antique games (village roulette and puppet show) that enable visitors to imagine scenes from their ancestors’ everyday life.” (https://www.comune.zogno.bg.it/aree/cultura-e-tempo-libero/musei/)

ZO10bis

Casa rustica in Via Mazzini

A rustic house in Via Mazzini. In traditional Bergamo style, with herringbone-pattern stone walls, brick-arched windows, external staircase, the remains of a wooden balcony, timber eaves and roof structure. Date of construction: 15th century.

Z11

Chiesa della Foppa o della Natività di Maria Vergine (sec. XVI)

Church of the Foppa or of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary (16th century). The church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary, with its portico on the Priula Way, forms a veritable gateway into the town. The portico, with a rectangular plan, is on four parallel arches resting on eight corbelled stone capitals, culminating in a cross vault with a fresco. The nave, spacious and well lit, has a rectangular floor plan covered by a four-part vault with two splays connecting to the ceiling, providing light by means of windows opening onto the interior. The presbytery, accessed by five steps in local stone, has a square plan and is connected by an arched opening to the nave. Above, it has a flat vault supported by seven elegant corbels. The altar is set against the wall with a sacred image flanked by columns, a 15th-century fresco protected by glass and depicting the Blessed Virgin suckling the Child while being crowned by two angels. On either side of the altar, the Holy Relics are conserved in two small wall-mounted tabernacles, and in the altar antependium, the nativity of the Virgin is depicted in a wooden bas-relief. On the walls of the presbytery there are oil paintings on canvas depicting St. Carlo Borromeo and St. Lawrence the Martyr dated 1756, while the walls of the nave comprise, on the east side, a canvas of St. Michael the Archangel in the act of slaying the dragon; on the south side, above the main entrance door, there is a canvas of the Blessed Virgin protecting the faithful; and on the west side, there is a canvas depicting the Eternal Father in the act of creating the Virgin with, on the sides, in a gilded frame, the Nativity of the Virgin Mary and the Deposition. The position of the Oratory is closely linked to developments in the road system of Zogno and the Val Brembana valley, initially with the passage of the Priula Way under the portico, and then with the passage of the Strada Regia road, which the Austrians moved northwards in 1819, so that it was right next to the sacristy and the church itself.” (https://www.parrocchiazogno.it/nativitagrave-di-maria—foppa1.html)

Z12

Tre Fontane, chiesa della Madonna della Neve

Tre Fontane, Church of the Madonna della Neve (Our Lady of the Snow). “On 5 August, especially in the past, the feast of Our Lady of the Snow was celebrated with crowds of people. Pilgrims arrived from many places in the diocese, facilitated by the Priula Way, and attracted by the prodigious water flowing from the spring in that location. The church, portico, bell tower and sacristy are close to the mountain and overlook the river Brembo, as the buildings are a few metres higher than the state road. (…) On the façade, under the portico, there is an 18th-century image of Our Lady of the Snow, although it has been retouched on many occasions. Inside, a single nave is divided by pilasters painted in stucco. The polychrome and gilded wooden pulpit still protrudes on the left side near the presbytery, which is enclosed by balustrades and covered with a barrel and bowl vault. Surrounding the altar is a small choir, in the centre of which stands, within a frame in stucco and gilding, the small altarpiece of the Blessed Virgin holding the Child in her arms, dated 1668. The presbytery altarpiece bears the date 1701. On either side of the presbytery are four ovals depicting, on the left, St. Laurence and the Presentation of the Virgin Mary in the Temple, on the right St. Bartholomew and the Annunciation. Above the pew is a niche with the Holy Relics collected in an 18th-century gilded wooden casket. Along the nave, two paintings in Bassano’s style depict the Nativity of Jesus, near the pulpit, and the Nativity of the Virgin, opposite, while nearer the entrance, two ovals are dedicated to the Annunciation and the Visitation of the Virgin Mary. The stucco work on the vault and drum are amongst the finest 18th-century examples in the Brembo valley. At the top of the vault, the Immaculate Conception and St Laurence, set in two medallions, are very fine works”. (https://www.parrocchiazogno.it/madonna-della-neve—trefontane.html). Lastly, the aristocratic house at the exit from the Tre Fontane hamlet, with mullioned windows and a wrought-iron balcony, is a notable building.

Z13

Contrada Angelini

A small group of historic buildings preceded by a passageway under a portico where a heraldic plaque (A.A. with a tall figure and five stars) is affixed, and where old house numbers can still be seen. Another interesting feature is a fountain with a circular stone basin.

Z14

Ambria. Museo del Soldato

(Soldier’s Museum). “The former railway station in Ambria houses the Soldier’s Museum, arranged by the Alpini Group from Zogno. The exhibits are extensive: weapons, uniforms, badges, photographs, letters from the front, books. The crowning glory comprises the certificates with the Military Cross of Zogno’s veterans from all wars. The Museum also has a library with more than 300 books on military subjects, photographic collections and diaries of war memories.” (http://www.pesentigiuseppe.it/una-terra-da-scoprire.html)

Z15

Sentiero per Spino al Brembo

Path to Spino al Brembo. A traditional path from plain to mountain with paved sections with long steps for mules and walkers, still in good condition, with some stretches that have been improved. It is also worth observing the beauty of the surrounding landscape, which resembles a country garden with manicured lawns and fruit trees. At a corner, a house has a fresco of the Madonna, dating back to fairly recent times.

Z16

Spino al Brembo. Chiesa di Sant’Alessandro martire e cappella

Spino al Brembo. Church of St Alexander the Martyr, and chapel. Of ancient origin – possibly dating back to the 10th century – it was rebuilt in 1645. At the entrance to the portico there are two fresco figures, protected by glass, one of whom is St. Sebastian. Inside, there are three altars: on the right, one dedicated to the Virgin, adorned with a statue of Mary after the Annunciation, a gift from Francesco Rizzo of Santa Croce to the people of Spino in 1504, as a gesture of peace made by the population of the two districts; on the left, the altar dedicated to Our Lady of the Rosary. The popular “October festival” is celebrated on the fourth Sunday of that month, and it coincides with the anniversary of the Holy Relics, established in 1630, as a votive expression against the plague. In memory of the victims, there is a small church in the hamlet Piazzuoli, with a crucifix and a painting of St. Sebastian. The cemetery chapel has a fresco of the Crucifix.