Straddling the monks' mountain

Taleggio DOP, a great talent of Italian cuisine makes Italians good forks, true gourmets

On a trip to the caves of Lombardy

L’isola lacustre più alta d’Europa. La Valle Camonica e la Franciacorta. Il Sebino e i suoi itinerari. 10 cose da fare sul Lago d’Iseo

The current auditorium of Teatro Grande was designed by architect Luigi Canonica and built in 1810. Girolamo Magnani decorated it in 1862. The Ridotto (Foyer), opened in 1772, is one of the most outstanding examples of 18th century architectural pomp applied to a theatre. Its lovely ceiling depicts a sky populated by several Greek gods, and with a trompe-l’oeil balustrade all around. One famous anecdote is that Puccini’s Madame Butterfly was enthusiastically received when it was performed here for the first time on May 28th 1904, after an unsuccessful first performance at Milan’s La Scala. This is where the opera’s fortune started. Teatro Grande’s Season includes classic and contemporary productions ranging from opera to dance, music, and cultural events. Every year in the springtime, Teatro Grande hosts the International Piano Festival of Brescia and Bergamo, one of the world’s main piano events.

Of the original castle four towers, the battlements, the walkways and the embrasures are still visible today.

From farmhouse to municipal library, the splendid Villa Guerrinoni in Seriate has been part of history since 1800.

Autumn is the perfect season for walks in the woods, where you can appreciate the magical foliage and spend time out in the open air, harvesting chestnuts with friends or loved ones.    In Casale, a district in the municipality of Albino (province of Bergamo), the authentic link between people and nature can be rediscovered in a charming village, 700 metres above sea level. A genuine panoramic balcony over the Lujo Valley, part of the Val Seriana, where the uniquely stunning autumn shades are absolutely unique.  It is also home to Parco del Castagno, a themed wood covering 137 thousand square metres and, above all, a protected area open to all. The Park was created by the Municipality of Casale to offer its inhabitants a space dedicated to pasture in the summer, to chestnut harvesting in autumn, and to providing firewood in the winter. This oasis of unspoiled beauty can be reached with a short walk from the church of Sacro Cuore in Casale, where you can also leave your car. A visit to Parco del Castagno is also a great opportunity to try out “biligocc” in Casale: dried chestnuts, smoked using a traditional method that dates back centuries.    

The Malpaga Castle is located in Cavernago, a small town within the Serio Nature Reserve.

Lake Iseo is rich in nature, history, culture, and unique flavours. Start your taste adventure here.

The province of Bergamo has quite a few of Chris Bangle’s Big Benches and the one in Riva di Solto e Fonteno is one of the best known.   You will recognise it by the number #53 and unmistakable blue and green colours. The colour choice is linked to the idea of capitalising on two local treasures: Lake Iseo and the mountains, including Corna Trentapassi, Monte Guglielmo and Punta Almana among some of the area’s most stunning, best known peaks. The location, between the lake and the mountains sets this Bench in a strategic position, with glorious picture postcard views, enhanced by the territorial value of the project, which involves and supports local craftsmanship as well as boosting tourism. There are two possible routes to Big Bench #53. The first starts in Piazza Ongaro Parroci, Fonteno, and takes about 30 minutes, with a slight difference in height. The second, starts from Riva di Solto, where it is possible to leave your vehicle in car park no. 3. From here, take the trail marked CAI 567, which is marked, and continue to the Big Bench, which takes about one and a half hours on foot and has a more difficult height difference of about 400 m.