LAKE ISEO AND VALCAMONICA

 

The guide will meet guests in Iseo, at about 9.00 a.m., in Viale Europa (Europe Avenue).

 

Departure for the Eastern Side Road of Lake Iseo: discovery of the small villages, with their coloured houses and typical churches … the unexpected beautiful landscape, the Mediterranean vegetation and the three islands: Montisola, the greatest island of the lakes in Europe, where traditions still survive: those linked to the production of fishing nets, the manufacturing of boats and the fish conservation technique.

The minor islands of San Paolo and Loreto are also visible.

 

The north extremity side of the lake is reached, and LOVERE can be revealed:  It has been added to  “The most beautiful villages in Italy”, thanks to its considerable well-preserved artistic and cultural heritage.  The Medieval centre and its ancient towers, from “Thirteen Martyr’s Square”, facing the harbour, with fantastic palaces all around, through the “beccarie” quarter, to Victor Emanuel 2nd Square, where all narrow streets meet and stand the Civic Tower.

Leaving the lake promenade, climbing northward, S. Maria in Valvendra Basilica can be discovered: an imposing church, built between 1473 and the 1510s in the river-bed of a stream, in a particularly prosperous period for Lovere.  Inside, Equestrian Portraits of the patron Saints of Brescia, Faustino and Giovita (by Alessandro Bonvicino, called “Moretto”) and the wooden main Altar by Fantoni.

 

Not far, the town of PISOGNE, that has always been an important commercial hub, a market that created prosperity. Because of that, Our Lady of the Snow Church was painted inside by a famous painter. The theme is Passion – Death – Resurrection - Ascension of Jesus Christ. It is called the “Sixtine Chapel of the Poors”, one of the most important examples of “Sacred Painting” in 1500 years. Among the years 1532 and 1534 Girolamo Romani called Romanino frescoed the walls, the Saint Arch and the counter façade of this church, using a style completely different from the Academic one of that period. He used a very simple language, which could be easily understood by poor people.                                                                                                                                                       

His transgressive figures, often grotesque, are inspired by the simple local people.

 

 At about 1,00 p. m., lunch could be served in a typical restaurant in Camonica Valley.

 

In the afternoon, the program includes the visit to Saint Mary the Assumption Church located in Esine, that houses the painting cycle realized by Giovan Pietro da Cemmo that develops two themes:  the Salvation and the popular Devotion.

The last visit will take place in Bienno, Capital of “Valle dei Magli” that is Grigna Valley (where “Magli” means “Hammers” used in the smithy).The Forge-Museum can be visited, (in order to discover the reality of extraction and work of iron, for the production of agricultural tools and weapons).

Even the 1400 Water Mill, still working, thanks to the presence of the artificial channel, deserves a visit.

The charming old town also houses the Church of the Annunciation, frescoed by Da Cemmo and then by Romanino.

Bienno has been added to the "Most Beautiful Villages in Italy"!

 

 

Elide Montanari
Via Gorzoni, 34 - 25049 – Iseo (BS)
Mobile: +39 335 6144307

P. IVA 03438810172
C. F. MNT LDE 63E60 D940A

 

TOURIST GUIDE FOR BRESCIA AND SURROUNDINGS

1994: Qualification to the profession of Tour Leader, for the French and English languages, by the Lombardy Region. N° Rep 690/94

1995: Qualification to the profession of Tourist Guide for Brescia and its province, for the French and English languages, by the Lombardy Region. N° Rep 221/95

I am a tourist guide, licensed by the Lombardy Region, (also qualified as a  group leader), which operates in the province of Brescia, from Lake Iseo to Lake Garda, in Italian, English and French.

I was born on the 20th May 1963 and I’ve been working in tourism since 1988.

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